Limescale, or calcium carbonate, is a hard, crusty deposit that ranges in colour from white to green.
It’s found on surfaces like shower screens that come into frequent contact with water and is especially prevalent in homes that have hard water.
When mineral-rich water streams from a shower head, it clings to the glass, tiles, and fixtures. When the water evaporates, the deposits remain.
Having to deal with grubby glass can be a nuisance, but it is a problem that is easy to resolve – taking 10 minutes, to be exact.
Rhonda Wilson, who has worked as a cleaner for over 20 years and is currently the quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, has exclusively shared how to get rid of shower screen limescale and stop it from coming back.
She said: “Limescale is that chalky stuff forming on your shower screen. It’s natural for it to build up, but with a bit of care and regular cleaning, you can prevent and get rid of it.”
When cleaning, Rhonda recommends wiping the shower screen with a damp microfibre cloth to loosen up gunk.
If you want to make things “even easier”, quickly rinse with hot water before wiping it down.
Then, spray it with white vinegar and let it sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Let the vinegar work for a bit, and if the surface starts drying out too soon, spray again or cover it with plastic wrap to keep the vinegar from disappearing too fast.
For the final rinse, use distilled water to rinse your shower screen and finish with a squeegee to remove any leftover water.
Alternatively, you can use a crumpled piece of newspaper to buff the glass for a “streak-free finish”.
To stop limescale from reappearing, there’s a natural item Rhonda recommends applying regularly after cleaning.
She instructed: “Use a cloth with a bit of lemon oil to create a water-repellent layer that prevents limescale.”
This will help fend off the limescale with the bonus of leaving a lovely lemon smell behind.
