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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6 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 Cif, Dettol and Ecover to find the best bathroom cleaning sprays

How to prevent limescale build-up in your shower

A quick wipe goes a long way

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, or at the very least look unsightly.

Limescale prevention products

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. 

Filter shower heads

There's an increasing number of filter shower heads on the market that have a built-in filter to help remove minerals from the water, self-cleaning mechanisms or mineral beads to soften the water.

Options include Hello Klean, PickiNiki and Meko (available via Amazon), but note that we haven't tested these.

Invest in a water softener

If you want to invest in a more permanent solution, 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. You'll also need to add good-quality salt tablets frequently. 

Read our guide to water softeners to find out more.

Need a new shower? Read our guide to the best electric showers to find out which impressed in our tests

6 ways to save water and save money

There are plenty of ways to conserve water use in the home, from small changes you can make to your routine to simple maintenance tasks:

1. Keep your showers to less than 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 and toilets 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.

Discover 10 ways to have a more eco-friendly bathroom