Shower heads are among the bathroom fixtures where limescale accumulates most rapidly, creating blockages and impairing water flow. The chalky deposit forms when water is heated or evaporates, leaving behind calcium and magnesium ions from hard water.
Descaling a shower head can help it function more effectively and extend its lifespan. While numerous methods and products exist, a bathroom specialist has recommended a natural cleaning solution.
Expert's 35p solution
Brian Toward, CEO of bathroom retailer Wholesale Domestic, explained: "The shower head is often forgotten about, and it's not until you're standing underneath it mid-shower that you notice all the grime that's built up."
For those in hard water regions, limescale can accumulate rapidly not only on the shower head but also around taps and inside kettles. Approximately 60% of UK residents live in hard-water areas, exposing them to elevated levels of dissolved minerals.
How to clean with white vinegar
Brian advised: "Distilled white vinegar is the answer to cleaning your shower head and addressing your limescale problems." Pour the vinegar into a zip-lock sandwich bag with the unscrewed shower head until fully submerged. Leave it to soak for at least an hour, but not excessively long, as the vinegar could damage the head.
After an hour, remove it from the bag, spray with disinfectant, and blast the shower at a hot temperature to remove excess residue. Distilled white vinegar is available from retailers like Tesco and Aldi for as little as 35p.
It's also a versatile cleaning solution beyond shower heads, with cleaning enthusiasts particularly fond of using it when laundering towels.
