Grotty limescale around taps... how to get rid?!

[coveredinsnot]

We live in a rented flat with a VERY old (possibly 1950s) bathroom, and a not-quite-so-old-but-still-crap kitchen, both of which have a lot of limescale grot around the taps. We live in a very hard water area. What can I do to get rid of this ancient crap?

Thanks!!!

Have you tried viakel and a toothbrush?

soak kitchen roll in white wine vinegar and wrap it around the taps, leave overnight and scrub off.

Only do vinegar if it's not a brushed finish(as I know to my cost)

I've tried vinegar. The grot remains. I've just tried Grotbuster. The grot remains.

Mix the vinegar with bicarb?

Cilit Bang: Grime & Lime

Have recently reverted to that and have to say it knocks my previous favourite of white vinegar and bicarb into a cocked hat. Though I do miss that satisfying fizzing noise

If vinegar hasn't worked then it can'r be limescale... or maybe it's layers and layers of limescale and you need to do it more than once? I find cotton wool soaked in vinegar more effective cos it can get in the nooks and crannies. Heard a good tip today on the radio, apparently a pumice stone used on limescale in the bath etc removes limescale really well and doesn't leave scratches. And that was from Kim or Aggie (not sure which one) so it must be true!

You may just need to get a non-scratchy implement (cocktail stick/match/something plastic) and chip the stuff off.

I know ,I know...

Use a bit of pumice stone to scrape away the limescale. It shouldnt harm the tap surface but is really quick at getting the limescale off.

electric toothbrush and old head with bicarb?

Limelite gel, in a bright green bottle available from most supermarkets does the trick for me, and we're also in a hard water area.

Try a tiny bit of toilet limescale remover (NOT toilet cleaner).