How To Clean Shower Heads: Best Ways – Our Tips
It’s a good idea to know how to clean shower heads at home, to prevent limescale buildup and keep the water flow consistent.
It doesn’t need to take long and it’s not difficult to do either – read on for the best ways to clean shower heads and some top tips.
However, if you encounter persistent issues or feel uncomfortable attempting the fixes yourself, it’s always a wise decision to seek support from an expert.
Always check beforehand that the cleaning solution you’re using is suitable for your shower head, make sure there is no risk of damaging it.
Key takeaways: How to clean shower heads
- Detaching a shower head makes it easier to clean and descale.
- Using a 50:50 solution of warm water and white vinegar is an effective and affordable method to clean shower heads.
- Alternatives include cola carbonated soft drinks. Cola can also be used to remove limescale from shower heads due to its acidic properties.
- Hot water can exacerbate limescale build-up as dissolved minerals are left behind when water evaporates.
Health and damage risks – dirty shower heads
Showers pose a high risk for Legionella bacteria due to their ability to create water droplets. But It’s unlikely you’ll catch the disease from showers in your own home, according to WCS Group.
In a care home or healthcare premises, the HSE recommends the cleaning and descaling of shower heads at least every 3 months to reduce Legionella growth. Inhalation of aerosolised water containing Legionella bacteria is the main route of infection – it can cause serious health issues when contracted.
More commonly, at home, signs of limescale build-up on shower heads include uneven water spray. The limescale deposits can affect water flow by blocking the openings in the sprays.
Descaling shower heads
Detaching a shower head makes it easier to clean and descale.
Use a plastic bag that’s large enough to fit over your shower head and fill it with a 50:50 warm water and vinegar solution. Or you can use a plastic container if you prefer.
But don’t leave brass shower heads in vinegar for longer than 30 minutes.
- Place it over the head until it is completely submerged in the vinegar, using string or an elastic band to tie it in place.
- Leave for at least 30 minutes, preferably around an hour. Leaving a shower head in vinegar to soak for around 30 minutes can help remove remaining limescale and soap scum.
- Scrubbing shower head nozzles with an old toothbrush can help dislodge limescale deposits. Detaching fixed shower heads makes them easier to clean and descale.
White vinegar is an effective natural cleaning product for descaling shower heads.
Alternatively, using baking soda and water can create a paste to help clean shower heads with a soft cloth.
Clean your shower head regularly to prevent blockages from limescale. Descaling your shower head around once a month can help manage limescale and bacteria.
Preventing limescale build-up for a clean shower head
Limescale build-up is inevitable when using hard water in showers.
In areas with hard water, more frequent maintenance is required to prevent limescale. Hard water areas typically require more frequent descaling of shower heads.
It’s possible to measure water hardness – here is a table and UK map, provided by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Water hardness can also be measured in degrees of German hardness (°dH).
Hot water can exacerbate limescale build-up as dissolved minerals are left behind when water evaporates.
The hardness of water in your area influences how often you should clean your shower head. Using a water softener can help to mitigate limescale build-up in areas with hard water.
Wiping the shower head dry after use can help prevent limescale deposits. Regular cleaning of shower heads is important to maintain good water flow and hygiene.
How to choose shower cleaning products
White vinegar is the number one natural cleaning product for cleaning shower heads, but there are other options:
- Baking soda is a common household item that can be used to clean a shower head.
- Cola drinks can be used to remove limescale due to their acidic ingredients.
- Specialist limescale cleaners are available in supermarkets for more stubborn limescale. Yet cleaning with household items like vinegar and baking soda can be as effective as manufactured bathroom cleaners.
DIY cleaning methods often recommend a soaking time of around 30 minutes for cleaning shower heads.
For more bathroom cleaning tips, check out some of our other articles such as:
- How to unblock a bathroom sink
- How to remove silicone sealant
- How to get rid of mould in bathroom
- Cleaning shower glass tips
- What is a wet room including how to properly clean the floor
FAQs
What is the best way to clean a showerhead?
The best way to clean shower heads typically involves soaking it in a solution of white vinegar. You can either unscrew the showerhead and submerge it in a bowl of vinegar, or fill a plastic bag with vinegar, secure it around the showerhead with a rubber band, and let it soak.
This method dissolves mineral deposits and limescale efficiently. For stubborn build-up, gently scrub the nozzles with a toothbrush or use a pin to clear blocked holes
How do you remove limescale from shower heads?
To remove limescale from shower heads, use household vinegar as your main cleaning agent. Soak the showerhead in vinegar for several hours – preferably overnight for heavy build-up.
After soaking, rinse the showerhead thoroughly with warm water and use a soft brush or toothpick to clear any remaining deposits from the nozzles.
For extra stubborn limescale, you can use a stronger commercial limescale remover, but always check the product’s suitability for your showerhead material.
How long do you soak a shower head in vinegar?
Leave for at least 30 minutes, preferably around an hour.
Don’t leave brass shower heads in vinegar for longer than 30 minutes.
Final thoughts: What can I use instead of vinegar to clean a shower head?
People often ask for some ideas around how to clean shower head without vinegar. The good news is, you can use several alternatives to vinegar for cleaning a showerhead if you don’t have any around or prefer to use something else:
- Baking soda and water paste: Mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste, apply it to the showerhead, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then scrub gently and rinse.
- Lemon juice: Soak the showerhead in lemon juice for 30 minutes to an hour, then rinse thoroughly. The citric acid in lemon juice breaks down mineral deposits.
- Commercial vinegar-free cleaners: Many products are available specifically for descaling showers without vinegar.
- Dish soap and warm water: Use a mixture of dish soap and warm water to scrub the showerhead, then rinse well.
- Essential oils: Some people use essential oils like tea tree oil for their antimicrobial properties, though this is less common.
These methods help keep your showerhead clean and free from limescale without using vinegar.
We hope this guide has helped you think about how to choose the right bathroom aids for your home.
For other articles, please take a look at our full blog – with articles including:
- Replacing a bath with a shower
- Wet room ideas for the disabled
- Bathroom blinds ideas
- Shower room ideas to inspire you
- Bathroom ventilation guide
If you’re in the South-West and need a bathroom refurb, Ability Bathe are the answer. We are bathroom fitters Devon trusts and we’re also bathroom fitters Torquay customers rate highly.
Similarly, we’re bathroom fitters Exeter loves, bathroom fitters Plymouth… just name the place.
We’re a local family-run bathroom design and installation business, with 35+ years of experience offering 10-year guarantees on our installations. Please get in touch for more details.
