Limescale is the chalky scourge that plagues most bathrooms and without regular cleaning it can be difficult to remove. Showers in particular are very susceptible to limescale as they are in frequent contact with water and sometimes in use several times per day. How quickly limescale forms is of course depending on how often you clean your shower and the hardness of the water in your area. Hard water contains a high amount of magnesium and calcium and when water evaporates, these minerals are left behind on surfaces like your shower head and tiles.
Limescale isn’t just an aesthetic problem though as it can actually be damaging to your shower if left untreated, leading to issues like blockages, restricted water flow and lower shower pressure. But thankfully there is a very easy way to rid your shower of the pesky chalky substance and it only requires two cheap ingredients – denture tablets and a lemon.
Denture tablets contain baking soda and a mild bleach, or citric acid, all of which help to break down and dissolve limescale, while lemons are naturally acidic which further helps to loosen limescale deposits.
The citric acid in lemon juice can cut through limescale and soap buildup and it doesn’t leave behind any unsightly streaks or residue, making it ideal for glass shower doors and screens. It also has the added bonus of being chemical-free and it leaves a sweet, fresh scent, avoiding the need for any artificial fragrances.
Together the two ingredients cost just over £1, with a pack of 30 denture tablets priced at just 75p at Tesco and a single lemon costing 30p. Cleaning experts recommend using one denture tablet, half a lemon and 250ml of warm water to create a homemade solution.
Simply fill a spray bottle with warm water and drop in the denture tablet. Allow this to fizz for a few minutes until it fully dissolves, then squeeze in the juice from half a lemon and give the mixture a shake.
A spokesperson for Lottomart said: “This hack works so well because the fizzing denture tablet breaks down grime and limescale, while the natural acidity of lemon juice acts as a degreaser and leaves behind a fresh, clean scent.
“Together, they create an efficient, budget-friendly cleaner that tackles soap scum and water marks without any harsh chemicals to leave behind a sparkling finish.”
For more stubborn deposits you can put the solution in a plastic bag and tie this around your shower head and leave the solution to soak overnight.
Evie Graham, founder of WasteDirect, explains. “I’ve found that denture tablets contain the perfect combination of citric acid and mild abrasives. Just remove your shower head, place it in a plastic bag with two dissolved tablets and let it sit overnight.
“I’ve found that this simple method is 80% more effective than dedicated limescale products costing five times more.”