Limescale can be cleared from bathrooms for as little as £1 using three budget-friendly methods with everyday household products, according to home improvement expert Brian Toward, chief executive of bathroom retailer Wholesale Domestic.
Approximately 60% of UK residents live in hard water areas, exposing them to elevated levels of dissolved minerals including calcium and magnesium. Households in hard water areas spend an estimated 29 hours and 54 minutes cleaning their bathrooms each year as a direct result of limescale, almost four hours more than households in very soft water areas, according to research from Wholesale Domestic.
There are around 1,300 average UK monthly Google searches for 'how to remove limescale'. If left untreated, limescale can become a breeding ground for bacteria and result in costly plumbing complications.
Why limescale builds up in bathrooms
Brian Toward explains: "Limescale is especially common in bathrooms because of the high water usage. Any lingering droplets left to air dry can leave behind mineral deposits that form limescale over time."
"While it might start as a cosmetic issue, too much limescale can build up in pipes and restrict water flow, leading to decreased water pressure and plumbing issues, which can be costly if left untreated."
"While limescale itself isn't directly harmful to health, it can also cause the growth of bacteria, compromising water quality."
Three budget-friendly limescale removers
The first method uses lemon juice and salt. Toward says: "To help remove limescale, cut a lemon in half and dip it in salt to create a natural scrubbing solution. The citric acid in lemon juice breaks down limescale, while the salt helps lift it off surfaces." Lemons can be bought for as little as 37p at UK supermarkets including Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury's, while table salt is available for just 65p at Aldi for a 750g container.
The second remedy combines vinegar and baking soda. Toward shares: "Similar to lemon juice and salt, equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda can be mixed together to create a powerful paste that can remove limescale. Apply the paste to limescale-affected areas such as taps, showerheads, and tiles and let it sit for a few hours before scrubbing with a brush and rinsing thoroughly." A 568ml bottle of white distilled vinegar is available at Tesco for just 35p, while 200g bicarbonate of soda is priced at 65p at Aldi, Tesco, and Asda.
The third method uses Coca-Cola. Toward explains: "Most people are shocked that Coca-Cola can help dissolve limescale but it can, as it contains phosphoric acid which reacts with calcium carbonate. Pour Coca-Cola onto the affected areas and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Then, scrub the area with a brush and rinse." A 330ml can of diet coke is priced at £1.34 at Asda.
