My downstairs toilet has arguably the smallest sink I've ever seen. It's one of those things on our to-change list, but it keeps getting shoved to the bottom of the pile. And all the while it's in our bathroom, every time someone uses it, water splashes out of the sink and straight onto the taps. And then it sits there. Meaning that limescale forms fast, and as a result, one of these taps is covered in limescale deposits that are hard to scrub away. I've tried vinegar, and I've tested most limescale removers on the market, so I am almost getting to the end of my rope.
This was until I came across a grapefruit cleaning hack on TikTok. Suddenly, it was like a lightbulb moment — could this be the cleaning hack that finally banishes those mineral deposits from my faucets? Truthfully, my taps have looked the same since we moved in. So, I wasn't feeling bundles of hope and might have already started researching a new set and how to fit them myself.
Here's what happened — and whether I'd use this non-toxic cleaning hack again. Yes, all that's needed is a grapefruit and some salt. Here we go...
Preparation is key
As basic as a non-toxic cleaning hack comes, this chore only requires two things: a grapefruit and a bowl of salt. You'll want to cut your grapefruit into halves or quarters, depending on its size. Mine was huge, so I went for quarters as they'd be easier for me to grip with one hand.
Essentially, you need to use your grapefruit as a scrubbing brush, and your salt acts as the cleaning spray. So, cover the area you want to clean with salt, and then go to town with your grapefruit. The best part about this hack is that it's not harsh or abrasive — you can scrub as hard as you like without doing any damage.
The second that the grapefruit juice hits the salt, you'll see a reaction. This is where the magic happens and where you'll want to scrub hard on that stubborn stain. You'll already start to see a difference. After you're satisfied with your scrubbing, leave the salt and grapefruit to sit for a few minutes before washing it all away.
What happened on my faucets
I started with my taps and poured some salt directly onto the problem areas — including around my sink, too. I then went in with a quarter of a grapefruit and started scrubbing. I focused mostly on my facets, and, truthfully, I really had to put in some elbow grease to start noticing a difference.
I could see that a lot of the limescale deposits had already dissolved, but I wanted to finish the job. So, I grabbed my trusty crevice cleaning brush for the finale. This definitely did make the job easier, especially when it came to the tight spaces around where my faucet joins to my sink.
The result? I was impressed. Considering I didn't use any harsh chemicals, the difference is extremely satisfying. There's still a small amount of limescale left on this tap, which wouldn't budge. I'll go over this faucet again, but this time wrap the faucet in paper towels and soak it with vinegar.
I definitely would do this cleaning hack again. I'd use it for cleaning smaller spaces, though, as it would require a lot of salt and grapefruit to cover a larger area, such as a bathtub.
I also noticed that it left my sink sparkling clean! What a result. And around my faucets, it did remove some of the limescale, but it didn't banish it totally. Again, this is probably somewhere that requires a stubborn solution.
The bottom line
I also tried this hack for a stubborn ring around my bathtub. A dripping tap is the problem here — and it has been since before we moved into this house. I did have some hope, but the grapefruit and salt didn't budge this at all. This job needs something a lot stronger. And if I did try to clean my entire tub with this, you'd need a lot of salt.
