How do I clean chrome taps?

Taps look dull for two different reasons: a greasy film that detergent removes, and limescale that only acid removes. The ring at the base where the tap meets the basin is where both accumulate and where no cloth reaches.

What you'll need

• White vinegar
• Kitchen roll
• Old toothbrush
• Microfibre cloth
• Cling film (optional)

Step by step

1. Wipe the taps with warm soapy water first.This removes the greasy film so the acid can reach the mineral underneath.
2. Soak strips of kitchen roll in white vinegar and wrap them around the tap.Acid runs straight off a vertical surface — the paper holds it in contact long enough to work.
3. Wrap cling film over the top to stop it drying out, and leave for an hour.Longer for heavy scale. Overnight is fine on chrome.
4. Remove the wrapping and scrub the base ring with an old toothbrush.The join between tap and basin is where the worst of it collects.
5. Unscrew the aerator from the spout end and soak it separately.It clogs with scale and grit, which is often why a tap runs slowly.
6. Rinse everything thoroughly with clean water.Residual acid keeps working slowly on seals and finishes.
7. Buff dry with a microfibre cloth.Drying is what gives the shine and prevents new water spots.

Tips

• Drying taps after use is the actual prevention — limescale only forms where hard water evaporates.
• Never use vinegar or descaler on brushed, matt black or gold-effect finishes for long periods; they are more vulnerable than chrome.
• A dab of car wax or baby oil buffed onto dry chrome makes water bead off and delays the next build-up.

Common mistakes

• Scrubbing limescale off dry — You scratch the chrome and barely dent the deposit. Soak first, always.
• Using an abrasive cream on chrome — It leaves fine scratches that dull the finish permanently.
• Ignoring the aerator — It is the most common reason for a slow tap, and it takes two minutes to clean.

Questions people ask