How to remove limescale from the kitchen sink and taps
Limescale build-up is an inconvenience we all have to deal with continuously - and the kitchen sink is particularly vulnerable to this problem. Limescale is very noticeable on stainless steel sinks, but should not be ignored for other types of sinks either. And, in addition to marring the appearance of your sinks, limescale can actually affect the functioning of sink fittings (like blocking the taps, for example).
If your kitchen sink needs to be cleaned of limescale, keep reading:
How to remove limescale from the sink and the countertop
The constant use water in a sink will inevitably leave limescale residue: this appears as white traces left over the working surfaces. Removing "fresh" limescale is relatively easy: just use a little white vinegar diluted with water (in equal parts), spray it on the sink and then wipe the limescale away using a soft cloth. And it's important to remember to have another microfiber cloth at the ready to dry off the cleaned surface immediately to prevent streaking. As an alternative to vinegar, you can use lemon juice!
If, however, the limescale deposits are older (and, as a result, more difficult to remove), then you need to use products that can adhere to the surfaces of the sink. To this end, you have these options:
- Using sheets of paper towels and vinegar: cover all the affected areas with absorbent paper towels and wet them with enough vinegar to ensure they adhere to all the surfaces of the sink.
- Baking soda and vinegar: create a paste using baking soda and water that we can spread over the limescale deposits and let this act for a quarter of an hour. After this time, spray some vinegar on the paste (neat vinegar or vinegar diluted with water in equal parts). Wait for the frothing reaction to end, and then wipe everything down with a cloth or sponge, scrubbing any stubborn spots.
Now, rinse off and dry all surfaces of the sink immediately.
Removing limescale deposits from taps
If the the limescale deposits on/around the taps is "light", using a cloth dampened with vinegar or a little lemon juice will be enough to wipe this residue away. However, for more stubborn limescale deposits on taps, proceed as follows:
- To clean the base and neck of the tap, you can soak and wring out an old T-shirt or old tea towel in vinegar and then wrap this cloth around the tap. Tie in place and let the vinegar act for a few hours (or even overnight). Once done, remove the wrap, and using a wet cloth and an old toothbrush (if necessary), wipe away any limescale residue. Then rinse off and dry immediately.
- For a tap spout, however, proceed as follows: get a plastic bag, fill it with vinegar and secure it to the tap so that the spout is fully immersed in the vinegar. Secure the bag in place with rubber bands. For a routine cleaning of the spouts, just one hour of this "vinegar bag" treatment each week will sufficient. But for a deeper clean, leave the bag on for several hours (or even overnight). When you remove the bag, you can use an old toothbrush to remove any limescale residue that may remain. Once cleaned, you should see a much-improved flow of water from the taps!
Now, your limescale-free kitchen sink will be a pleasure to use!