Bathroom limescale: a bicarbonate of soda, washing-up liquid and toothpaste paste

In France, white marks quickly return to taps and shower screens 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 combining 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 taps, a shower screen or tiles, it may leave a whitish film behind. This becomes harder to remove when water repeatedly runs over the area without being dried afterwards.

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

“The proposed mixture does not replace 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 paste toothpaste. The desired texture should be creamy enough to remain on the areas being scrubbed.

• Four tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda;
• Three tablespoons of washing-up liquid;
• Two tablespoons of paste 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 seals. It is advisable to work in circular motions without applying too much pressure. Corners, handles and the base of taps are often where deposits build up.

The source recommends leaving the paste to sit for five to ten minutes. An old toothbrush may be useful in narrow spaces, especially around a tap or within some seals. After gentle scrubbing, rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly using a clean cloth.

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

Before applying the mixture to a large area, it is best to test it on an inconspicuous spot. Not all taps, shower screens and surface finishes react in the same way to abrasive products. Marble, natural stone, some glossy plastics and certain delicate finishes require particular care.

Precautions to bear in mind

Bicarbonate of soda and toothpaste can create a scrubbing effect. While this can help with a stubborn mark, it may also dull a sensitive surface if used too vigorously or repeatedly. A soft cloth remains preferable to an abrasive sponge.

It is also important not to mix household products without knowing whether they are compatible. Bleach, in particular, must not be combined 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 deposit 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 effect. A shower screen that is rinsed but left wet retains minerals from the water as it dries. Quickly using a squeegee or microfibre cloth after showering helps limit this issue. This habit also reduces marks on mirrors and chrome fittings.

• Ventilate the room after a shower or bath;
• Remove water from shower screens before it dries;
• Wipe down 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 between areas. So-called hard water contains more calcium and magnesium, which encourages deposits to form on bathroom fittings. As a result, people do not all experience white marks at the same frequency, even where their cleaning habits are identical.

To find out about the quality of water supplied in a local authority area, public information channels provide health data relating to drinking water. This information can help explain the presence of minerals in mains water, without automatically meaning that it is unsafe to drink.

Where build-up persists, regular descaling of tap aerators, shower heads and water-runoff areas may be helpful. An aerator is the small component fitted at the end of a tap: it generally mixes water with air and can trap particles or limescale over time.

Regular maintenance rather than a permanent promise

The source headline refers to permanently removing limescale. In practice, no one-off cleaning treatment can prevent new deposits indefinitely 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 not suitable for every material, particularly certain natural stones. Checking the manufacturer's guidance for the shower, basin or taps helps prevent damage to an expensive finish.

A straightforward routine of rinsing, ventilating and drying reduces the work needed 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.