How To Descale a Shower Head in 3 Simple Steps

Do you ever notice a crusty buildup in your showerhead? This is what's known as limescale buildup. This is caused by minerals building upon the showerhead every time you use it. It is similar to how stalagmites form but in miniature.

If the problem is severe enough, you may notice problems with the flow of water from the showerhead. In serious cases, jets may clog entirely. It's easy to clean your showerhead or replace it if it has become too severe.

How to descale a shower head that is fixed

You'll need to be creative if your shower head has broken. You can descale your shower head by soaking it in something that dissolves the minerals. Vinegar is a good option. You can also buy limescale removers for heavy-duty descaling.

A freezer bag, the removal product you choose, and rubber bands are required to decalcify a fixed showerhead. The descaling agent should be poured into the bag. Once the product has dried, you can use the rubber bands and seal the bag to the showerhead.

Allow it to soak for around an hour before removing the bag. Turn the water on to flush out the cleaning product. To remove stubborn pieces of scale, you can use a toothbrush. To clean scale-filled jets, a paper clip or pin can be used.

How to decalcify a shower head that is removable or detached

The process is the same as before: Use a descaling product or vinegar to clean your shower head. After soaking the showerhead for approximately one hour, rinse it with running water. Finally, use a toothbrush to clean the cleanser and get rid of any remaining scale. You can submerge your shower head in a bucket or a bowl during the soaking process. This is a lot easier than using a rubber band and a bag.

You will need the tools to take out and reinstall a removable showerhead. To loosen the shower head, you will need channel lock pliers. After you have removed the showerhead, remove any residue plumber's tape or grime. A plumber's tape will be needed to reinstall the showerhead. You'll also need pliers. The tape should be wrapped around the threads of the pipe to prevent leaks. Once the tape is secured, use the pliers for tightening the showerhead. Be careful not to overtighten.

How to prevent limescale buildup on showerheads

Limescale buildup is difficult to remove. Prevention is easier. You can either purchase shower heads made from specialized materials to prevent limescale buildup or make descaling a weekly routine.

You will need a spray can of your favorite white vinegar or commercial descaling product to add this feature to your routine. Also, a toothbrush is needed. Use your cleanser to spray the showerheads, scrub them with the toothbrush and then rinse. You don't need to soak and scrub your shower heads for months.