Sinks and taps will be left sparkling if you clean them with one surprising item
Taps and sink can be cleaned with a surprising food item (Image: GETTY)
A home organisation expert says using a surprising food item can leave your stainless steel taps and sinks sparkling. Over time, limescale and soap scum can build up on your taps – but the simple solution could be in your fridge.
Often part of a salad of choice, cucumbers are known for their crunch and health benefits due to being high in water. But beyond health, they offer more use, according to Janine McDonald, as reported by Yours Magazine.
She said: “The peel of a cucumber is a natural way to clean stainless steel taps and sinks. Wipe the peel over stainless steel taps; it removes fingerprints and water marks as the natural oils break down the elements of grime.”
Using cucumber peel, she added, is a natural, chemical-free way of cleaning that also “leaves your kitchen smelling nice and fresh.”
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The peel of a cucumber also leaves your kitchen smelling nice and fresh, Janine says (Image: GETTY)
Another unusual item recommended for sparkling taps is Coca-Cola. According to cleaning specialists at Homeaglow, pouring this onto them is one of the most powerful ways to dissolve stubborn tap marks.
“You might only think of Coca-Cola as a soft drink to enjoy, but its ingredients, including citric acid, tartaric acid, and phosphoric acid, can dissolve rust and mineral deposits,” they said. “Coca-Cola is perfect for unclogging blocked faucets, removing limescale, and restoring the shine in your shower.”
“It’s an effective cleaning solution, but it isn’t overly acidic, so it doesn’t discolour or peel metallic surfaces,” they added.
Lemon can also be used in many ways in the household (Image: Getty)
Lemon is also said to be a go-to for cleaning many household items, including tackling limescale due to its citric acid, which dissolves mineral deposits.
“Leaving limescale untreated risks affecting their efficiency and longevity,” Deyan Dimitrov, laundry expert at Laundryheap, told The Independent. “Luckily, lemons offer an effective solution to this common issue!”.
The general advice for a direct rub method is to cut a lemon in half, rub the cut side over taps, handles, and sink surfaces, let the juice sit for five to 10 minutes, then rinse with water. For tougher spots, mix the lemon with a little baking soda.
The solution to clean taps could simply be in your fridge (Image: GETTY)
The citrus fruit is also useful with other household items such as a dishwasher, kettle, or microwave. “The acidity of the lemon will help dissolve limescale and soap scum, improving your dishwasher’s performance and leaving it smelling fresh,” he added.
Sharing a further tip, he suggested: “The next time you do a load of white laundry, try adding half a cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle.”
He says the natural bleaching properties lemon juice provides will “help brighten fabrics” and give any tired-looking clothes “a new lease of life”.
For safety, always read labels, use cleaners as directed, wear protective gear if needed and avoid mixing chemicals.
