Limescale can wreak havoc on your shower head, leading to clogged jets and an unpredictable spray that could turn your bathroom into a wet mess.
Limescale is the culprit behind these problems, a tough, white deposit primarily made of calcium carbonate. It’s notorious for coating kettles, encrusting taps, and leaving streaks on shower doors.
Banishing limescale might seem like a hard battle, yet followers of cleaning guru Mrs Hinch have shared a nifty trick to get shower heads sparkling clean.
Taking to the Mrs Hinch Army Cleaning Tips Facebook page, Susan Myers said: “Could anyone suggest how to clean a shower head? Mine has gone black in the holes where the water comes out. I’ve tried bleach but it didn’t work.”
Mrs Hinch supporters swamped the request with responses, but topping the list was a concoction of white vinegar and a humble plastic bag.
Maureen Beckett Morgan said: “Put the head in a plastic bag with water, white vinegar and a limescale liquid of some sort.”
Chiming in, Sharon Kardosh added: “I did mine recently with white vinegar. I tried the branded stuff first thinking it would be easier but it didn’t work. Is the top a fixed head or a hose?
“I unscrewed the fixed top bit, soaked it in a bowl of vinegar overnight then wiped it over and it’s as good as new.
“For the hose bit, I put a jug of white vinegar in the shower and stood the head bit in it, and it came up clean really quickly. I was totally amazed.”
Other fans suggested alternative methods, including Kathleen Hanlon who said: “Put some white vinegar in a freezer bag, put the shower head in, tie it with an elastic band and leave it for a while then rinse.”
Gloria Clarkson-Wanders added: “I put mine in a plastic bag with vinegar. Cleans limescale and black gunge.”
Vanessa Rodway said: “White vinegar in a polythene bag wrapped around the shower head with an elastic band. Leave 15 to 20 minutes, it dissolves limescale.” Rita Waldroup also said: “Vinegar in a baggy tied to the shower head to soak.”
The acid in the vinegar breaks down the calcium carbonate that limescale is made from, making it an effective cleaning solution.
Other suggestions from the group included using lemons, Steradent tablets and citric acid.
Debra Readshaw, said: “Why not try a lemon cut in half? Place it on the shower head, keep squeezing it then wipe clean.”
In a bid to tackle grime, Patricia Phillips said: “Soak the shower head overnight in a couple of Steradent tablets – it works wonders.”
For a DIY solution, Tina Chand Varsani said: “Get a bag, put some citric acid in there, hot water and stick the head in. Leave it to soak for a while – should do the trick.”
