Mineral buildup is a common problem among households. Due to hard water, a chalky deposit will accumulate on faucets and shower heads. This is challenging to remove, especially if you’re facing years of thick buildup. Still, knowing how to clean shower heads of limescale will save you from the hassle, so you’ll have refreshing baths.
In this post, we share DIY limescale removal ideas that you can conduct at home using simple items.
Why limescale buildup is a big problem
No matter how aesthetic your bathroom is, it’s not invincible to limescale. This is a common issue for those residing in places with hard water. Over time, the limescale buildup will block water flow, which will create a false impression of poor water pressure.
Also, the limescale buildup will make your shower head spray in different directions. It happens because the accumulating minerals block the spray holes. In the long run, limescale buildup will increase the maintenance cost of your shower head and you may end up purchasing replacements repeatedly.
Aside from causing mineral buildup, hard water will also reduce shampoo and soap lather. The mineral content affects the shampoo ingredients’ ability to form suds. This translates to poor cleaning and unsatisfactory baths.
Most of all, hard water and the presence of limescale can potentially trigger skin irritations. It can cause rashes or even allergic reactions among people with sensitive skin. Aside from that, hard water will complicate the healing of wounds.
Overall, it’s both important to remove limescale buildup from your shower head and do something about the hard water supply of your house. We discuss these two points below.
How to clean shower heads of limescale
Descaling your shower head will be easy if you do it regularly. We suggest doing this process once a month, so the deposits won’t thicken and harden. While it’s an added chore, being proactive will save you from premature replacements, poor water flow, and other complications.
NOTE: Always test each method on a small part of your shower head. It’s because some metal materials may react harshly to very acidic solutions. It’s best to conduct a patch test before doing all the steps. As much as you want to get rid of the limescale fast, it’s not worth it risking your shower head to irreparable damage.
Here’s how you can do it:
Method 1: Using baking soda
Baking soda is a time-tested cleaning solution. From urine on your leather couch to your limescale-covered showerhead, baking soda never fails to deliver.
Aside from that, this solution is guaranteed safe. After all, many bath soaps use baking soda as an ingredient. You can use it to clean your shower heads even if you have kids or sensitive skin.
Moreover, baking soda is a budget-friendly method since you can purchase multiple boxes at a low price.
Once you have a stash of baking soda, it’s time to raid the chalky stuff from your shower head using these steps:
- Step 1. You need one-third cup of baking soda thoroughly mixed with 1 cup of vinegar.
- Step 2. Place the solution inside a large plastic bag. Make sure that the bag is thick and won’t get torn easily.
- Step 3. Put the back in the sink, so you won’t make a mess as the solution fizzes. If you don’t have the time to uninstall your shower head, you can tie the bag in its place.
- Step 4. After that, place the shower head inside the plastic bag. Make sure that all of it is soaked, especially the sprayer part.
- Step 5. Using a rubber band or a string, tie the end of the plastic bag. Make sure that the solution won’t leak.
- Step 6. Leave the shower head soaking overnight. This will allow baking soda and vinegar to soften the limescale deposits.
- Step 7. The next day, get an old toothbrush to scrub off the shower head. This will help remove deposits that won’t budge easily.
- Step 8. Once you’re done scrubbing, give the shower head a final rinse in warm water. After that, you’re all done!
Method 2: Using vinegar
If you want to get rid of limescale as fast as possible, you can try using the vinegar method with a twist. Instead of simply soaking the shower head, you will simmer it in vinegar. Of course, you should proceed with caution, especially if your shower head is mostly made of plastic.
Nevertheless, you can skip the simmering part and simply soak the shower head in pure vinegar. This is up to you, depending if you’re willing to risk your shower head.
The good thing about vinegar is it’s also safe to use, much like baking soda. It’s also convenient since almost every kitchen has a bottle of vinegar in its pantry.
Here are the steps:
- Step 1. Fill a pot with white vinegar. You can also use any vinegar that you have at home.
- Step 2. Next, place the pot on the stove and put it on a gentle simmer.
- Step 3. Once the vinegar is simmering, place the shower head on it. Make sure that it’s not boiling too much.
- Step 4. Keep simmering for 3 minutes. The heat and acidity of the vinegar will help remove stubborn limescale deposits. You can also perform a bit of scrubbing after simmering to remove any clinging deposits on the shower head.
- Step 5. Rinse it using running water once you’re done. Feel free to soak it back in vinegar (without heating) if you’re not satisfied with the amount of limescale removed.
Method 3: Using lemon juice
Like vinegar, lemon juice has intense acidity that can remove stubborn limescale deposits on your shower head. This works well for mild to moderate mineral deposits.
This is a good choice if you don’t want to waste a lot of vinegar. It also works for those who are worried about the intensity of baking soda.
Overall, this is a fairly simple method. Here’s our recommended steps:
- Step 1. Start by rinsing the shower head to remove superficial dirt.
- Step 2. Next, squeeze a slice of lemon juice into the sprayer side of the shower head.
- Step 3. Using the squeezed lemon slice, scrub the shower head to lift mineral deposits.
- Step 4. Squeeze more lemon juice then mix it with hot water.
- Step 5. Soak the shower head into the hot lemon mixture. Let this sit for 20 minutes to remove any remaining debris.
Method 4. Using commercial cleaning products
If all the household items above didn’t work for the limescale deposit, you can use a commercial cleaning product instead. This is very effective, but also quite harsh, so make sure that you use it in a well-ventilated area. You should also wear protective gear like gloves and a face mask.
The good thing is that there are cleaning products made specifically to remove the deposits. Brands like Invisible Shield, Viakal, HG, and Oust have formulas that work well.
To use a commercial cleaner, here are some steps to keep in mind:
- Step 1. Open your bathroom windows to allow the fumes of the cleaner to ventilate.
- Step 2. Uninstall the shower head from its place.
- Step 3. Using a basin or any container, mix a recommended amount of cleaner with water.
- Step 4. After that, soak the shower head in the cleaner. Leave it like this for a few minutes or depending on the recommended period of the manufacturer.
NOTE: In some cases, commercial cleaners can be sprayed into the shower head, so you don’t have to remove it anymore.
Method 5: Calling a professional cleaner
If all four methods didn’t work due to the thick mineral deposits on your shower head, it’s best to call a professional. These people have the right tools and products that can eliminate limescale fast. Take note that most effective cleaning products are only available for licensed companies.
While it costs a fee, you’ll get guaranteed results. You can also get tips from professional cleaners on how you can prevent limescale deposits.
How to prevent limescale buildup on your showerhead
Limescale buildup is preventable. Instead of stressing yourself from cleaning thick deposits repeatedly, it’s best to nip the problem in the bud. It will do you a favor cutting back a lot of time and resources. Here’s how to do it:
- Treat hard water in your home. If you want to prevent limescale forever, you have to use a water softener system in your home. You can get a whole-house filter so all faucets and shower heads will be protected from mineral deposits. Aside from preventing limescale, this system will also be beneficial for your washing machine and dishwasher.
- Use a water filter. If you can’t afford a water softener system right away, you can get water filters instead. These individual filters can be installed on your shower head and replaced regularly.
- Consider using a magnetic descaler system. A magnetic descaler system magnetizes the minerals, so it doesn’t accumulate on your faucets or shower heads. This is a great option if you want a chemical-free approach to dealing with hard water.
- Descale regularly. Even if your water supply isn’t very hard, it can still accumulate deposits over time. It’s best to descale using vinegar and baking soda regularly. This will stop limescale from getting worse.
- Get your pipes checked periodic Lastly, it’s best to get your pipes checked annually for mineral deposits. Aside from your shower heads, a professional check will ensure that hard water isn’t causing blockages on your overall water supply.
Final words
Knowing how to clean shower heads of limescale will ensure proper water flow and irritation-free baths. The good news is that many household items you can use to deal with this problem. But if the limescale problem in your home is widespread, we recommend hiring a professional instead.
Overall, limescale is preventable or at least possible to minimize. Water softeners, filters, and descaler systems will make a big difference.