Shower heads can quickly become blocked by limescale, decreasing the water pressure and affecting their performance. But a bathroom expert has shared the simplest way to clean them.
Limescale on shower heads can often be overlooked and left untreated, as many homeowners focus their cleaning efforts on tiles, screens, and basins. However, when not cleaned, mineral deposits begin to accumulate and block the shower head, affecting water flow and pressure.
Brian Toward, CEO of bathroom retailer Wholesale Domestic, said: “If you’re seeing reduced water pressure or uneven water flow, limescale is likely the culprit, and if you live in a hard water area, limescale can build up fairly quickly.”
Approximately 60 per cent of the UK population resides in a hard water region, meaning they’re more susceptible to high levels of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
That’s why the bathroom specialist has shared an easy and affordable solution to tackle the issue without having to shell out for professional cleaning services.
In fact, this cleaning hack is so simple that it costs only 35p and is probably already part of the main cleaning arsenal in many British homes.
Describing the method, Brian said: “Distilled white vinegar is the answer to cleaning your shower head and addressing your limescale problems.
“Pour some white vinegar into a sandwich bag and place the showerhead in it, ensuring it’s fully submerged in the vinegar. Tie the bag around the showerhead with a rubber band or string to keep it in place.
“Let it soak for at least an hour, and let the vinegar’s acidity work magic. After soaking, remove the bag and rinse the showerhead under hot water.”
The method is a breeze and employs a staple found in supermarkets like Tesco and Aldi.
For those in a pinch without vinegar, Brian offers another nifty trick: “If you’re in a rush and don’t have any white vinegar, cola can work as a quick fix.
“Just hang a zip-lock bag filled with cola around your showerhead and leave it to soak for 30 minutes to an hour, then rinse it well to remove any sticky residue.
“The acidity in the cola helps break down the limescale just as effectively.”