Is Limescale Killing Your Five-Star Streak?

It’s easy to look past the little details in your own bathroom: the shower, the bidet, the tiles, or those tiny spots of mold on the ceiling.

You might ignore them in your own home, but sometimes, they are the first things a guest will notice. They aren't necessarily looking for reasons to complain; they are looking for a premium experience and want the best for their stay.

I learned this lesson the hard way.

The 4-Star Wake-Up Call

I generally avoid hosting one-night stays, but I made an exception for a woman in a bit of an emergency. She was working from home when her internet failed, and she needed a reliable spot. I was happy to help, plus, the P1500/night rate covered my listing’s internet bill for the month!

She left a glowing review and five stars in almost every category, except for cleanliness. She gave me a four.

Now, I know it’s nearly impossible to maintain a perfect five-star streak forever, but I really strive for it. I reached out to her:

"Hey, thank you for the stay! I noticed the four-star rating for cleanliness and was wondering if there’s anything I could do to improve the space for future business travelers?"

The Secret Culprit: Limescale

She was honest with me. She mentioned "white marks" on the bathroom tiles and the faucet. That really bothered me.

It wasn't "dirt," it was limescale.

Limescale is just hard water, and while it's common in the city, you’ll never find it in a high-end hotel. I’m no chemist, so I did some digging. I found out that while vinegar is okay, citric acid is the real game-changer.

I started applying it to the showerheads and faucets, and the buildup just vanished. Before I realized this, the limescale had actually:

• Clogged the shower, reducing water pressure.
• Caused the bidet to leak/break because of the internal buildup.

Science Saves the Day

Maintenance isn't always "sexy," but it's essential. You don't need expensive, harsh-smelling chemicals. You just need a little bit of science. Citric acid (which you can find at Daiso or most grocery stores) became my best friend.

It saved my hardware and, more importantly, my future ratings.

If you want to make sure your listing is truly guest-ready, you need a solid system. I’ve put together a comprehensive host checklist covering all the tiny details guests notice (and hosts often miss).

Want the checklist? It’s yours for free when you book a consultation with me. Let's get your space to that five-star STR standard!