Limescale not only ruins the look of your bathroom but can also affect water flow and hygiene by clogging nozzles and leaving behind mineral deposits. If you haven’t cleaned your shower head recently, you might be showering under more limescale than water.
Faced with their shower head spraying water in different directions due to blockages, Lindsayanne Brenner took to her blog Hawk Hill, to share her experience of cleaning her shower head with a “powerful organic cleaning tip” – citric acid. She said: “I didn’t want to scrub and didn’t want to deal with harsh chemicals, but I decided to give it a soak in a citric acid bath to see what would happen. The results were so dramatic, I just had to document and share.”
While other people report having luck cleaning their shower heads with vinegar, Lindsayanne pointed out that “vinegar is a very weak acid compared to properly mixed citric acid”.
After using citric acid, she noted that she was able to enjoy an “immensely improved shower”.
For Lindsayanne’s shower head cleaning tip, start by completely removing the shower head by simply uncrewing it from the fixture or hose.
Next, mix a strong solution of powdered citric acid in a bowl. Use about three-quarters of a cup of powdered citric acid to one gallon of near-boiling water. Stir to dissolve the citric acid completely.
Carefully, lower the shower head into the solution. Be careful as the water will be hot, and though citric acid isn’t particularly caustic, it’s not something you want to splash into an eye.
You’ll immediately see bubbles start to form on the shower head, and that’s the acid dissolving the minerals built up on and inside your shower head.
Let it sit for five to 10 minutes, then repeat the process if any mineral buildup remains. When you are satisfied with the results, reattach the head to the rest of your shower.
As citric acid is a strong natural solution, a reader of the blog in the comments section asked if this would damage chrome shower heads.
Lindsayanne replied: “From my research and from my own experience, the acid does not harm the chrome as long as two rules are followed: apply with a soft cloth, and don’t leave the acid on too long!
“If you’re hesitant, you could always dab a little on in an inconspicuous spot and see how it goes. Or you can dilute the acid with warm water.”