How To Clean Scale From Shower Head

If your shower head is clogged with years of limescale build-up, then it's time for a thorough clean! There's no need to reach for the harsh chemicals though as they could damage your shower head, try using vinegar instead. In this blog we share our top tips on how to descale a shower head.

Top tips:

Do not leave shower heads made from brass in vinegar any longer than 30 minutes.
Vinegar can also be used on bath and sink taps to remove limescale.
Can't stand the smell of vinegar? Open a window or switch on the extractor fan. You can also mix a small amount of lemon juice with the vinegar.
Soaking the shower head in a vinegar filled plastic bag works best on shower heads made from chrome, stainless steel and other metal surfaces.
That's it! You should be left with a sparkling clean shower head!

shower head

Descaling a Fixed Shower Head

You'll need:

Plastic bag big enough to fit over the shower head
Piece of string
Distilled white vinegar
Old toothbrush
Soft cloth

1. Fill the bag with vinegar

Fill the plastic bag partway with vinegar, take care not to fill it though.

2. Place the bag over the shower head

Hold the bag under the shower head and open it. Slowly bring it upwards until it covers the shower head and the shower head is in the vinegar.

3. Secure the plastic bag

The plastic bag needs to be secured to the shower head. Hold the top of the bag tightly around the shower head and tie a piece of string around it ensuring it's tight and secure. Let go of the bag making sure it won't fall off before stepping away.

4. Leave to soak

Leave the shower head to soak for 30 minutes or overnight depending on how bad it is. If the shower head is made from brass, remove the bag after 30 minutes. The process can be repeated after you've rinsed the shower head if required.

5. Remove the bag

Carefully untie the shower head, tip the bag over and empty out the vinegar. Turn the water on to flush out any limescale deposits.

6. Scrub with an old toothbrush

Scrub the shower head with an old toothbrush focusing on the nozzles, switch the water back on to flush out any residue. Polish with a soft cloth for a sparkling clean finish.

hand shower

Descaling a Handheld Shower Head

You'll need:

Bucket or a large enough container that will fit the shower head
Distilled white vinegar
Wrench and old rag
Old toothbrush
Soft cloth

1. Remove the shower head

Remove the shower head from the hose. If you are finding it difficult, wrap an old rag around the connection and twist it with a wrench.

2. Place the shower head into a bucket

Place the shower head in the bucket or container and fill with enough white vinegar to cover it. The acids in the vinegar will dissolve the white mineral deposits.

3. Soak the shower head in vinegar

Leave the shower head to soak in the vinegar overnight or for at least 30 minutes depending on how bad the limescale build-up is. If it's made from brass, take it out after 30 minutes.

4. Scrub residue away with an old toothbrush

Remove the shower head from the vinegar and give it a good rinse, you should see the limescale deposits flaking off.

Residue can be scrubbed away with an old toothbrush. Focus on the nozzles, this is where most of the limescale build-up will be. Gently scrub over any residue and rinse with cold water. Do this until all the residue has gone.

5. Dry the shower head

Take a soft cloth and polish the shower head, wipe until dry and there are no water spots. The shower head can then be screwed back onto the hose. Turn on the shower to flush out any residue the toothbrush didn't get.

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Hi, I'm Liz, an interiors blogger. My main focus area is the bathroom, where I aim to inspire anyone who's planning and designing a new bathroom – you'll find plenty of tips, how-to guides and a wealth of ideas!