How To Clean A Showerhead

Essex is a hard water area, and while hard water is good for us, it’s not as good for our appliances. All our appliances that utilise hot water will suffer from a limescale build-up. Our kettles, irons boilers and showers will accumulate limescale it’s inevitable.

Particularly vulnerable is the showerhead with lots of pinhole jets that are easily blocked by the smallest amounts of limescale.

A blocked showerhead may function, but the pressure could be reduced, and the water will spray everywhere in different directions, very irritating.

Regular cleaning of your showerhead will prevent the build-up of limescale, and you won’t end up with the unnecessary expense of buying a new showerhead.

White Vinegar

The best cleaning solution for a showerhead is white vinegar. (don’t ever use malt or brown vinegar it could stain your showerhead)

Unscrew your shower head and place it in a bowl of white vinegar for at least 12 hours. It’ll come out sparkling!

Check the holes for blockages and pin them to remove small bits of limescale if necessary. The water should now run through the showerhead as best as it possibly can.

If you have a harsh build-up of limescale and overnight soaking fails you can place your showerhead in a saucepan of hot simmering vinegar (not boiling) which will dissolve the limescale in no time. Use this method with caution if you have a plastic showerhead.

My Showerheads Fixed?

Most fixed showerheads can be removed some, however, cannot. In this instance, fill up a plastic bag with white vinegar and tie the bag around the showerhead. Leave for at least 12 hours before removing. Again you may need to use a pin to unblock the shower jets.

Vinegar Doesn’t Work?

While white vinegar is a superb natural cleaner, it doesn’t always do the job. Try the vinegar methods first, and if they don’t work, you can buy commercial shower cleaners from your local supermarket. Follow the instructions and keep the cleaner away from your eyes and skin.

Hate Vinegar And Cleaners?

Vinegar and commercial cleaners are acidic and those with sensitive noses may hate the smell. Invest in a good shower head that’s designed to prevent the build-up of limescale then cleaning won’t be required. A good quality showerhead will last you a few years before blocking.

Whatever method you use always run water through the showerhead for a couple of minutes. Firstly to check it’s working ok and secondly to flush out all the vinegar/cleaner before you start showering.