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

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Six 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. Pick your acid of choice. We recommend citric as it's stronger than distilled vinegar and doesn't smell. It's widely available, too, so you should be able to buy it online or in a large supermarket.
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, use the plastic bag trick. 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.

Looking for a bathroom cleaner that's tough on limescale? We've tested big brands such as Flash, Cif and Ecover to find the best bathroom cleaning sprays

How to prevent limescale build-up in your shower

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

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. 

Read our guide to water softeners to find out more.

There are also several limescale prevention products you can choose from, such as limescale removers and descaler gels. Some can be added directly to the water, others can be used by hand during your regular bathroom clean. 

Another option is to invest in a shower head that's designed to prevent limescale build-up. These are often covered in special materials that make them less prone to limescale accumulation. 

Some types even come with a built-in filter to help remove minerals from the water, self-cleaning mechanisms or mineral beads to soften the water.

Renovating your bathroom? Read our shower buying guide to find out which type is best for you

Six ways to save water and save money

There are plenty of ways to conserve water use, from small changes you can make to your routine to home improvement fixes:

1. Keep your showers to under 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 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.

Find out more about eco shower heads and other water-saving gadgets in our eco shower head buying guide. You can also sign up for our free monthly Sustainability newsletter