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Ditch the Vinegar: 3 Household Solutions Experts Use to Eliminate Limescale

I never have to deal with limescale in my shower, and it’s thanks to this one daily task that takes seconds

I tried everything to banish limescale from my toilet, but the solution was this cheap household item I already had in my cupboards

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Ditch the Vinegar: 3 Household Solutions Experts Use to Eliminate Limescale

I never have to deal with limescale in my shower, and it’s thanks to this one daily task that takes seconds

I tried everything to banish limescale from my toilet, but the solution was this cheap household item I already had in my cupboards

I used to literally pull my hair out when cleaning my shower drain — but this 3-step routine has saved me from the worst bathroom cleaning job

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This household hack dissolved limescale in minutes — and you only need these two kitchen ingredients

Cynthia Lawrence

26 September 2025

All you need is salt and white vinegar

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(Image credit: Shutterstock)

If there’s one task I detest when cleaning the bathroom, it’s removing unsightly limescale. And if you have a build-up around faucets or your showerhead, it can often take some manual effort to get rid of stubborn limescale, and make your chrome shine again.

Essentially, limescale is a substance made up of calcium and magnesium which is left behind when hard water evaporates. This can form in every crevice, especially if your bathroom gets very humid. In which case, you’d probably need to invest in one of the best dehumidifiers to reduce moisture levels.
And while there are countless, commercial products all promising to remove limescale, you might already have your secret weapon in your kitchen cupboards. All you need are two, common household items that are natural, toxin-free and inexpensive. What’s more, I found this to be an even better cleaning solution that doesn’t even require much scrubbing. So what is this miraculous, limescale remover?

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Ditch the Vinegar: 3 Household Solutions Experts Use to Eliminate Limescale

I never have to deal with limescale in my shower, and it’s thanks to this one daily task that takes seconds

I tried everything to banish limescale from my toilet, but the solution was this cheap household item I already had in my cupboards

Bomves Store Electric Spin Scrubber: $37 at Amazon
This cordless scrubber is equipped with a 30W motor and two spin modes — one for daily cleaning and for a deep clean. This handy tool comes with 8 detachable heads to handle various surfaces without damaging them.

Salt and white vinegar solution

Salt and white vinegar (Image credit: Shutterstock)
We’ve all heard about the miraculous benefits of cleaning with white vinegar, but when combined with salt, it can create double the power.

While vinegar brings the acidic nature to neutralize and break down alkaline deposits such as limescale, salt acts as an abrasive cleaner (similar to baking soda), to help shift and remove a stubborn build-up.
Simply create a homemade cleaner by combining equal parts salt and vinegar, and mix well in a container. Then, apply the solution directly onto the area and scrub well with a brush or abrasive sponge. After a few minutes, you should see the limescale begin to lift away from the faucets or showerheads.
Alternatively, if you’re dealing with tough limescale around showerheads, a good tip is to carefully soak the showerhead in a bag of white vinegar overnight to remove any mineral build-up.

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“Natural cleaning has been having its moment on TikTok recently, encouraging people to utilise what they already have in their cupboards as cleaning solutions. “ Alex Woods, bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing. “White vinegar in particular has grown in popularity; the versatile solution works best due to its ability to break down limescale and bacteria.”

showerhead lying on a bathroom flloor covered in limescale (Image credit: Shutterstock)
In addition, white vinegar is handy for removing mild stages of mold and mildew in the bathroom. “White vinegar and baking soda are both brilliant for tackling early-stage mold,” agrees Andrew Haydon, a Home Improvement Expert at Simply Plastics. “Plus, vinegar actively kills many types of mold where bleach can’t.”
So the next time you’re struggling with stubborn limescale in the bathroom or kitchen, look no further than your kitchen cupboards to find your cleaning solution.
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Cynthia Lawrence

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Content Editor, Homes

As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features.

Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!

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Ditch the Vinegar: 3 Household Solutions Experts Use to Eliminate Limescale

I never have to deal with limescale in my shower, and it’s thanks to this one daily task that takes seconds

I tried everything to banish limescale from my toilet, but the solution was this cheap household item I already had in my cupboards

Not vinegar — I just discovered an unusual hack to get rid of hard water stains on glass, and I can’t wait to try it

I used to literally pull my hair out when cleaning my shower drain — but this 3-step routine has saved me from the worst bathroom cleaning job

My busy bathroom is a nightmare to keep clean — but this expert hack takes seconds and leaves it spotless

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