How to remove bathroom limescale with bicarbonate of soda, washing-up liquid and toothpaste

In France, white marks quickly reappear on taps and walls in rooms exposed to water and humidity every day.

Published on 21 June 2025, the source article, whose media outlet is not identified in the material provided, suggests a homemade paste made from bicarbonate of soda, washing-up liquid and toothpaste to clean the bathroom. The method targets visible deposits on surfaces, soap residue and marks left by water.

A homemade paste for marked areas

Limescale consists of mineral deposits found in water. When a droplet dries on a tap, shower screen or tiled surface, it can leave behind a whitish film. This coating becomes harder to remove when water repeatedly runs over the area without being dried afterwards.

The recipe described in the source uses three everyday products. Bicarbonate of soda provides a mildly abrasive texture. Washing-up liquid helps remove grease and lingering soap. Toothpaste is included for its thick paste consistency and gentle polishing action.

“The suggested mixture is not a replacement for regular maintenance: it mainly works on established marks and built-up residue.”

The source advises making the paste in a clean bowl using four tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda, three tablespoons of washing-up liquid and two tablespoons of toothpaste. The aim is a creamy consistency that will stay in place on the areas being scrubbed.

• Four tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda;
• Three tablespoons of washing-up liquid;
• Two tablespoons of toothpaste;
• A little water, only if the mixture seems too thick.

How to use it without damaging surfaces

A soft sponge or microfibre cloth can be used to spread the mixture over shower screens, the basin, taps or grout. Apply it in circular motions without pressing too firmly. Corners, handles and the base of taps are often where deposits build up most heavily.

The source recommends leaving the paste to sit for between five and ten minutes. An old toothbrush can be useful in tight areas, especially around a tap or in some grout lines. After gentle scrubbing, rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly using a clean cloth.

“Rinsing and drying are integral parts of cleaning: paste left on a surface can itself leave marks.”

Before cleaning a large area, it is best to test the mixture on a discreet spot. Taps, shower screens and surface finishes do not all react in the same way to abrasive products. Marble, natural stone, some glossy plastics and certain delicate finishes require particular care.

Precautions to keep in mind

Bicarbonate of soda and toothpaste can create a scrubbing effect. This can be useful on a stubborn mark, but may also dull a delicate surface if applied too vigorously or too often. A soft cloth is preferable to an abrasive sponge.

It is also important not to combine household cleaning products without knowing whether they are compatible. Bleach, in particular, must not be mixed with other cleaners. The source recipe does not include it, so the surface should be cleaned and rinsed before any other product is applied.

Why marks return despite cleaning

A bathroom combines several contributing factors: water splashes, steam, soap, cosmetic products and insufficient ventilation. The white coating is not always caused by limescale alone. Shower gel, shampoo and soap residue can create a dull layer on glass and taps.

Drying has a practical role to play. A shower screen that has been rinsed but left wet retains the minerals in the water once it dries. Quickly using a squeegee or microfibre cloth after showering helps limit this effect. This habit also reduces marks on mirrors and chrome fittings.

• Ventilate the room after a shower or bath;
• Remove water from screens before it dries;
• Wipe taps and the edge of the basin;
• Clean areas where water collects on a regular basis;
• Rinse products applied to surfaces.

What to know in France

In France, water hardness differs from one area to another. So-called hard water contains more calcium and magnesium, which encourages deposits on bathroom fittings. As a result, people do not all experience white marks with the same frequency, even where cleaning habits are identical.

To find out about the quality of water supplied in a municipality, public information channels provide health data relating to drinking water. This can help explain the level of minerals in mains water, without automatically meaning that it is unsuitable for drinking.

Where build-up persists, regularly descaling tap aerators, shower heads and areas exposed to running water can be helpful. An aerator is the small fitting at the end of a tap: it generally mixes water with air and can gradually trap particles or limescale.

Regular maintenance rather than a lasting promise

The source headline refers to permanently eliminating limescale. In reality, no one-off clean can stop new deposits from forming for good if water continues to dry on the same surfaces. The method may help restore an affected area, while daily maintenance limits the return of marks.

White vinegar, mentioned in the source article as an option when marks are only faintly visible, remains an acidic product. It is unsuitable for every material, especially certain natural stones. Checking the manufacturer’s recommendations for the shower, basin or taps helps avoid damaging an expensive finish.

A simple routine of rinsing, ventilating and drying reduces the work required during a deeper clean. The bicarbonate of soda, washing-up liquid and toothpaste paste can then remain an occasional solution for areas that have lost their shine.