Most people tend to neglect cleaning their shower head, yet it can become one of the filthiest areas in the bathroom as it becomes blocked and turns into a breeding ground for bacteria. If shower heads aren’t cleaned, not only will they become grimy, but they will build up with limescale, and the water won’t be able to flow as smoothly, which will impact the pressure and water bill expenses, as it will need more water for a shower.
Nevertheless, Francesca, a cleaning specialist and founder of Thoroughly Modern Grandma, has shared a swift and simple method to clean shower heads in minutes—and all you require is citric acid. Francesca said, “Have you ever noticed how the holes in your shower head get clogged up? These can easily be cleaned by soaking your shower head in a solution of hot water and citric acid. Leave for around 10 minutes and then rinse.”
There are numerous popular cleaning remedies to eliminate limescale online, from vinegar to cola, but citric acid is advised to use for an effective remedy.
Most commercial cleaners and bleach are far too aggressive to use on a shower head and can risk damaging the shower rather than cleaning it. Citric acid is a natural compound present in citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, with a crystallised form readily available at most supermarkets.
Francesca explained: “Citric acid is a great addition to your list of natural cleaning ingredients as its low pH means it is very acidic, which means it’s very good for removing things like calcium (limescale), rust, and other minerals. It’s also useful for killing mould and mildew and can be used as a preservative.”
Bathroom experts at Villeroy & Boch also recommend using citric acid, claiming that it “works quicker than vinegar and baking soda”.
They said: “Cleaning with baking powder or vinegar is very gentle on the material, but is rather time-consuming. A quicker way is to use citric acid.”
Keep in mind that citric acid is very potent. Therefore, you should first perform a spot test on an inconspicuous area to ensure that it does not damage the material.
For this method, simply switch on your kettle, allow it to reach boiling point, then pour the hot water into a bowl.
Unscrew the shower head, submerge it in hot water, and add several tablespoons of citric acid to the mixture.
Allow the immersed shower head to rest in the cleaning solution for 10 minutes, though you may extend this duration if stubborn stains persist.
Once the time is up, rinse the shower head thoroughly with cold water, pat it dry and reattach it to your shower.