How to descale a shower head

A shower head clogged with limescale not only looks unpleasant but it can also harbour nasty bacteria, and the build-up can affect the shower head's water pressure.

There are lots of limescale cleaning products in the shops, and tips and tricks on the internet or social media that recommend using cheap household items such as vinegar or Coca-Cola. But do they really work?

Watch our video to see which method we recommend, or read on for a detailed breakdown of the steps to take, as well as tips on preventing limescale build-up and saving water.

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6 steps to descale a shower head

A quick search online will bring up a million and one ways to descale a shower head. But this is the cheapest and easiest way:

1. Citric acid, distilled vinegar and white vinegar are all effective, but we recommend citric acid, as it's stronger than vinegar products and doesn't smell. It's widely available, too, so you can buy it online or in a large supermarket. SQUIRREL_TEXT_50029972. 
2. Dissolve two tablespoons of citric acid powder in a large bowl of roughly one litre of hot, but not boiling, water.
3. If your shower head is detachable, you can completely submerge it in the bowl.
4. If your shower head isn't detachable, fill a large zip-lock bag with the citric acid-water solution and put it over the shower head. Zip it up as far as you can and use an elastic band to tie it in place.
5. Leave it for about an hour, take it out of the solution and give it a quick final wipe over with a cleaning cloth.
6. Run water through it again to wash out any remaining solution.

We love a natural cleaning solution as much as the next person, but here are 8 things you shouldn't clean with vinegar and 6 things you shouldn't clean with bicarbonate of soda.

How to prevent limescale build-up in your shower

A quick wipe goes a long way

Whether you live in an area with hard water or not, make sure you wipe down the shower head after use because drying water droplets can eventually lead to a limescale build-up, or at the very least look unsightly. 

If you have a glass shower screen, give it a quick swipe with a squeegee after each shower to keep limescale marks at bay (find out more in how to clean a shower screen).

Limescale removers 

There are also several limescale removers and descaler gels to help you tackle any build-up. But some are much better than others at tackling limescale. 

We've tested big brands such as Cif, Dettol and Ecover to find the best bathroom cleaning sprays.

Filter shower heads

Another option is to invest in a shower head that's designed to prevent limescale build-up. Some have anti-clog silicone nozzles that are easy to clean, but there are now an increasing number of filter shower heads on the market that have a built-in filter to help remove minerals from the water, or mineral beads to soften the water.

While we haven't tested these, popular options include:

• Hello Klean – available as a one-off purchase or a subscription where you get a new shower filter every three months
• PickiNiki – also available as a one-off purchase or a subscription where you get a new shower filter every six months
• Meko (available via Amazon) – available as a one-off purchase, although you'll need to buy replacement filter cartridges every 4-6 months.

Not all are suitable for electric showers, so check before you buy.

Invest in a water softener

If you want to invest in a more permanent solution, water softeners can significantly reduce or even eliminate limescale completely. 

The drawback is the cost, because you have to pay for both the product itself and professional installation. You'll also need to frequently add good-quality salt tablets. 

Read our guide on how to buy the best water softener to find out more.

6 ways to save water and save money

There are plenty of ways to conserve water use in the home, from small changes you can make to your routine to simple maintenance tasks:

1. Keep your showers to less than five minutes.
2. Don't run the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving.
3. Use your washing machine and dishwasher only when you have a full load.
4. Fix leaky taps and toilets as soon as you can.
5. Consider an eco shower head (also known as a low-flow or water-saving shower head).
6. Fill your kettle only with the amount of water you need.

Discover 10 ways to have a more eco-friendly bathroom