Don’t want to buy anything? Grab some white vinegar. It’s a mild acid that dissolves limescale beautifully. Soak a cloth in vinegar, wrap it around your faucet, let it sit for an hour. The scale will wipe right off. For a full soft-water experience, you can even add a cup of vinegar to your laundry. It breaks down the minerals and makes your clothes feel softer. Bonus: it kills mildew. Smells like a pickle, though. Worth it.
Funny fact: ancient Romans used vinegar to soften water for their baths. They were bathing in acidic soup. But hey, it worked. They also used urine as a detergent, so… perspective.
How To Boil Hard Water
