If you have noticed white, yellow, brown or blue chalky stains on your bathroom taps, it’s likely limescale.

Limescale is particularly problematic for those living in hard water areas. Taps, kettles, toilets, and shower glass often become covered in limescale because they are in constant contact with water.

Removing limescale from taps can be difficult, as using the wrong cleaning product can cause damage to the tap itself.

Stainless steel and brass taps can easily be damaged if certain chemicals are left on them for too long.

With this in mind, Sarah Dempsey at MyJobQuote.co.uk has shared a simple, natural method for removing limescale from taps without spending hours scrubbing.

When it comes to limescale, most of us assume removing the substance requires hours of scrubbing with a toothbrush, but Ms Dempsey’s method involves wrapping a vinegar-soaked cloth around the tap.

She explained: “Soak a clean microfibre cloth in white vinegar and wrap it tightly around your tap, securing it with a couple of elastic bands if necessary.

“Leave this for at least half an hour to allow the vinegar to soften the limescale. Then, remove the cloth and wipe the limescale away.

“If any limescale remains, dip a soft-bristled toothbrush in vinegar and work this over the stem and spout.”

If you don’t have an old toothbrush to spare but do have an old lemon in the back of your fridge, this can be used instead.

Cut the lemon in half and rub it over the surface. Then, twist it over the end of the spout to help loosen the limescale.

Make sure to rinse the tap thoroughly and buff it dry with a microfibre cloth. The expert added: “This will leave your tap gleaming and free from watermarks.”

White vinegar can be bought online and from most local supermarkets. Tesco distilled vinegar costs 35p, while Asda sells a litre for £1.09.

Sainsbury’s sells a pack of five lemons for 86p while Morrisons Savers lemons cost 55p for four.