Limescale can be a nuisance in homes, especially for those living in a hard water area. The tough, chalky deposit settles on taps, plugs, and shower heads and requires plenty of scrubbing to rid.

In our bathrooms, limescale can build up particularly quickly. The substance is made up of calcium carbonate and occurs in areas where hard water evaporates - meaning your shower is probably a hotspot for it, as well as appliances like kettles and taps. However, a simple cleaning hack that doesn’t use any chemicals can help you rid your home of limescale - without tough scrubbing. Cleaning influencer @cleanwithell, who has more than 40,000 Instagram followers, shared the tip, which she said delivers “sparkling, streak free results”.

All you need for this limescale-busting hack is a disposable cleaning glove (Ell recommends Marigold Multi-Purpose Disposable Gloves), some white vinegar, an elastic band or tie, and a microfibre cloth.

To start, fill the disposable glove with a few tablespoons of white vinegar and tie it around the affected tap - making sure that the vinegar is covering the limescale areas. Leave this to soak for at least 15 minutes, so the vinegar can work its magic in breaking down the limescale.

Unwrap the tap and rinse thoroughly with water before dampening a dry microfibre cloth with clean water and wiping the tap to remove the vinegar. The end result is a shiny, limescale-free tap thanks to the white vinegar and “deep cleaning power and absorbency of microfibres”.

Ell does advise anyone trying this tip to consult manufacturer guidelines, as some homemade solutions are not always suitable for all materials or coatings.

The reason white vinegar is so successful at ridding limescale from our homes is because the acid in it helps to break down the chalky, calcium carbonate in the limescale. The reaction produces calcium acetate (a salt) which easily dissolves in water, and carbon dioxide.

White vinegar can also be used to remove limescale from kettles. Simply fill your kettle with equal parts vinegar and water and leave for an hour before boiling before letting it stand for another 20 minutes, cleaning brand Purdy and Figg recommends.

You should then pour the solution away and make sure to rinse the kettle out thoroughly with water.

White vinegar can also be used to remove carpet stains, clean windows, polish chrome or brass, and removing wallpapers.

You can also use it to clean windows by mixing with water and apply to windows or glass surfaces for a streak-free end result.

It is also a great deodoriser for your home, because instead of masking or covering up smells it actually neutralises and removes alkaline odours.

You could try boiling white vinegar and water in a pan to remove kitchen smells - and if you would like to add a favourite scent, simply drop some essential oils into the mixture.