One spot that is most often overlooked when it comes to cleaning is the shower head. Many people often undermine the importance of cleaning their shower heads, which can lead to a build-up of mineral deposits and grime over time, severely affecting the functionality of the product.
And let’s face it, there’s nothing more annoying than hopping into the shower to be greeted by a feeble spray or blocked jets – with limescale usually being the offender.
Brian Toward, the CEO of bathroom retailer Wholesale Domestic, advises: “If you’re seeing reduced water pressure or uneven water flow, limescale is likely the culprit and if you live in a hard water area, limescale can build up fairly quickly.”
Around a whopping 60 per cent of Brits are grappling with hard water, putting them at risk of higher concentrations of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
But there’s good news, as Brian has disclosed a nifty trick that utilises an everyday essential you can grab for just 35p to get your shower head spanking clean.
He shares: “Distilled white vinegar is the answer to cleaning your shower head and addressing your limescale problems. Pour some white vinegar into a sandwich bag and place the showerhead in it, making sure it’s fully submerged in the vinegar. Tie the bag around the showerhead with a rubber band or string to keep it in place. Let it soak for at least an hour, and let the vinegar’s acidity work magic. After soaking, remove the bag and rinse the showerhead under hot water.”
You can pick up distilled white vinegar for as cheap as 35p in Tesco and Aldi.
Brian further adds: “If you’re in a rush and don’t have any white vinegar, cola can work as a quick fix. Just hang a zip-lock bag filled with cola around your showerhead and leave it to soak for 30 minutes to an hour, then rinse it well to remove any sticky residue. The acidity in the cola helps break down the limescale just as effectively.”
Another domestic remedy for pesky blocked shower heads is simply using soap.
Technical expert at Triton Showers, Martyn Brown, shares the straightforward solution: “The simplest and safest way to banish limescale from your shower head is with a household essential you probably already have in your home – soap. Just fill a bowl or sink with warm water, add a teaspoon of washing up liquid or lather up with a bar of soap, submerge the shower head for a couple of minutes and gently wipe away grime with a soft cloth.”
Tesco Essentials Soap is available at the UK retail behemoth starting at a mere 30p.
Brown emphasises that there’s no need to splash out on expensive cleaners or corrosive substances, and his savvy suggestion will dissolve surface dirt without harming your shower head’s finish.
He further advises against the use of rough sponges or potent chemicals which could not only harm the shine, but may also render your shower’s warranty void.
Another expert tip dished out by Brian is to dry your shower head after each use if possible.
He advises: “A quick wipe with a soft cloth will prevent watermarks and limescale settling in – preventing the problem before it even becomes one.”
Particularly if you’re residing in the Southeast, London, the Midlands, or the East of England where hard water is common, it’s recommended to up your cleaning game.
A routine weekly scrub of your shower head in these regions can be pivotal for optimum performance, keeping your shower looking pristine and in flawless working order.
