Cleaner says 1 ‘unlikely’ item will remove limescale from taps

A professional cleaner has shared the unexpected item that works like a charm to banish limescale – and it’s not lemon juice.

These unwanted stains are caused by a build up of calcium and magnesium deposits, and are typically removed using acidic solutions like white vinegar, lemon juice, citric acid or specialised cleaning products.

Limescale is a similar issue, only much more prolific. It presents as a chalky, off-white, hard build-up of calcium carbonate which is typically left behind when hard water evaporates or is heated up. It’s most common in hard water regions, with taps, showerheads, pipes and kettles prone to limescale.

It’s not only an aesthetic bugbear for many people but also a financial burden as it can cause reduced water flow while also affecting the efficiency of appliances, leading to higher energy bills.

Like hard water stains, limescale can be treated with acidic cleaners to help break down the mineral deposits – but what if those don’t work?

A professional cleaner turns to an unusual solution – a copper coin like a one or two pence piece.

In a video posted to TikTok, Helen – who shares content on the popular social media platform as Helen the Housekeeper – highlighted a tap with a buildup of limescale around the spout. Over the top of the clip, she added text which read: “Ever wondered how a professional cleaner gets limescale like this off?”

The footage then cut to Helen displaying a coin to the camera. The text changed to read: “By this! A copper coin”.

Helen then got to work, using the coin to score away at the limescale without causing damage to the tap itself. After she was done, she showcased the successful results – and the tap was left looking sparkling clean.

In the caption, Helen elaborated and said: “Pass it on and let’s save the planet from unnecessary cleaning chemicals!

“I’ve been doing this since 2019 after using a 2p to chip away that I had in my pocket at the time. I have proudly shared this hack to thousands of cleaners and home owners.”

She added: “So how does it work? Well copper is a soft metal so perfect for chipping away at limescale like this! without damaging the metal underneath the build up.”

In the comments section, fellow TikTok users were keen to share their thoughts. One person joked: “I tried this so-called ‘hack’ with a chocolate coin and it didn’t work at all.”

Another said: “Omg just tried this on my bathroom tap and it looks brand newwww!!! Thank you so much, I thought I’d have to get a new one but it looks BRAND NEW.”

A third commented: “Amazing! Thanks for the tip! Will try next time! I usually use the 5in1!”

And another added: “You are a lifesaver!!! I’ve been trying everything and this worked so well, it’s like it just instantly breaks it off.”