There’s something deeply gratifying about the sight of gleaming taps, shimmering like precious gems in the sunlight. However, keeping your taps looking good can be a battle against hard water stains, limescale and stubborn dirt.
Thankfully, there’s no need to resort to costly, harsh chemical cleaning products. Instead, two humble kitchen essentials – salt and lemon juice – can do an impressive job of restoring your taps to their original state of shiney wonder.
The combination of lemon and salt may seem unusual for cleaning purposes, but they form a surprisingly effective team. Their natural properties come together to effectively combat grime and restore shine – plus they leave a lovely, fresh lemony smell.
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Lemon juice, with its high citric acid content, is excellent at dissolving mineral deposits and cutting through grease. Salt, on the other hand, acts as a gentle abrasive, lifting stubborn stains without causing unsightly scratches.
This all-natural duo which most people probably already have at home works particularly well on chrome and stainless steel fixtures. The acidity of the lemon juice can also help to eliminate unattractive limescale.
This ingenious and cost-effective cleaning trick is also an eco-friendly alternative to chemical cleaners. With no harmful residues being washed down your drains, it’s a small yet significant step towards a more sustainable household.
How to clean your taps with salt and lemon juice
- Prepare your mixture by cutting a fresh lemon in half and squeezing the juice into a container. Add a tablespoon of salt and stir until you achieve a paste-like consistency.
- Use a cloth or sponge to apply the mixture directly to the taps, paying particular attention to areas with visible stains or limescale buildup.
- Leave the paste on the taps for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the lemon juice to break down mineral residues, making them easier to remove.
- Rinse the taps thoroughly with warm water, ensuring all residue is washed away.
- Finally, use a clean, dry microfibre cloth to buff the surface, revealing a gleaming finish.
For those persistent limescale stains that show up at the base of your taps, try wrapping a cloth soaked in lemon juice around the fitting’s base. Leave it for 15 minutes before giving it a good scrub.