I tried an all-natural 'miracle' cleaning paste and my taps look like new again

My tap was suffering from limescale stains and water marks (Image: Laura McKenna)

No matter how hard I try, keeping my bathroom taps looking clean and pristine can feel like an endless battle against hard water stains, limescale and stubborn dirt.

Despite cleaning my bathrooms regularly, those unsightly marks also seem to reappear. When I came across a simple, all-natural cleaning hack that promised to restore my taps to their former glory, I had to try it for myself.

According to some social media posts, the answer to my streaky tap predicament lies in the cleaning power of two humble kitchen staples: salt and lemon juice.

When mixed together to become a "miracle" cleaning paste, this cheap, easily available and completely natural solution promises to make taps shine like new.

According to the science of it all, this unassuming duo works together to dissolve grime, eliminate limescale and bring back that just-installed shine.

I grabbed lemon and some salt to make a paste (Image: Laura Mckenna)

Lemon juice is rich in citric acid, which helps to easily dissolves mineral deposits and grease, making it a powerful natural cleaner.

Combined with the gentle abrasiveness of table salt, it effectively lifts stubborn stains without scratching, especially on chrome and stainless steel taps.

Armed with half a lemon and a small handful of salt, I got to work. Here’s how I did it:

1. Cut the lemons in half and squeezed the juice into a small bowl.

2. Add a generous amount of salt and mix to create a runny paste.

3. Rub the paste on and around the taps, focusing on areas with heavy limescale build-up or stubborn spots.

4. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the citric acid to break down the grime.

My tap looked stunning – even the limescale stain was gone (Image: Laura McKenna)

After about 10 minutes (just enough time to make a cuppa) I wiped away the residue with a damp cloth and buffed with a dry microfibre cloth for an extra shine.

The results?

Stunning! My taps were noticeably shinier and those pesky watermarks had vanished. Even the most stubborn limescale patches had been significantly reduced after just one application.

Best of all, the process was quick, affordable and entirely chemical-free – I'll definitely add this to my regular bathroom cleaning routine going forward.