Are your once-sparkling showers and taps besmirched with limestone?
These chalky deposits build up wherever hard water evaporates, resulting in white stains settling in kettles, pipes and bathroom surfaces.
Knowing how to descale a shower effectively is crucial for maintaining a clean bathroom environment.
Shower limescale isn’t just unsightly – it can reduce shower pressure, contribute to blockages, and shorten the lifespan of bathroom fixtures.
Ranging from a “gentle” scrub to a “super strong” paste for the worst stains, here are five solutions courtesy of Hiatt Hardware.
How to descale showers
1. Lemon juice and salt
Descaling can be a simple cleaning job of lemon and salt, according to Hiatt Hardware product expert Ryan Calvert.
Mr Calvert said: “Lemon juice is an excellent natural cleaning agent for removing limescale due to its acidity. The citric acid in lemon juice effectively breaks down mineral deposits, making it easier to scrub away hard water marks.
“When combined with salt, it creates a gentle scrub that leaves your shower and showerhead sparkling clean without the need to use harsh chemicals.”
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is also an effective limescale remover. Soak a cloth in a mixture of vinegar and water and leave it wrapped around your detached showerhead for up to an hour before wiping away.
“Vinegar helps to dissolve mineral deposits and the acid in it breaks down the calcium carbonate in limescale, making it easier to wipe away and leaving surfaces clean and shiny.”
3. Bicarbonate of soda
Bicarb can also be a remarkably effective natural descaler. Mix it with water to form a smooth paste, then apply this mixture generously to the problematic areas, allowing it to sit for a while before scrubbing limescale and build-up away.
4. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is also a great remedy for limescale as it holds antifungal properties. Mix the solution with water and use it as a natural cleaner to remove the mineral buildup.
5. Borax
If the limestone in your shower is proving difficult to shift, combine borax and lemon juice for a “super strong” cleaner, Mr Calvert recommended.
“For extra stubborn stains, consider mixing borax with lemon juice to create a super strong and effective paste. Mix one cup of borax with a quarter cup of lemon juice and once a suitably thick paste is made, apply to the areas of concern and leave for up to 2 hours to reveal sparkling chrome underneath!”