In a head-to-head comparison of two popular limescale removers, Astonish outperformed Viakal in cleaning heavily scaled shower heads. The test, conducted by Deputy Editor Millie Bull, involved two identical shower heads left uncleaned for several months in a hard water area.
Both products were applied according to instructions and left for 30 minutes before rinsing and light scrubbing with a toothbrush. Astonish, costing £2 for 750ml, left the shower head sparkling with all limescale marks removed and nozzles clear. Viakal, priced at £3 for 500ml, still showed large limescale deposits even after scrubbing.
The test also noted differences in smell and consistency. Viakal had a pungent, bleach-like odour that caused a headache, while Astonish had a milder citrus scent. Astonish was more watery but easier to spray at various angles, whereas Viakal was thicker and foamy but its spray bottle was more stubborn when tilted.
After the experiment, the Viakal-treated shower head was re-treated with Astonish to remove the remaining limescale. The author concluded that while both products are effective, Astonish was the clear winner on this occasion.
