It’s time for that shower head to be cleaned! But how? Luckily, we’ve put together this extensive guide to teach you how to clean a shower head to perfection and how to keep it clean and limescale free for the future!
At the end of a long day, nothing feels better than taking a nice hot, relaxing shower. It’s quickly ruined when you find that there’s barely any pressure coming from the shower head and water is spraying everywhere.
How often should you clean a shower head?
Cleaning the house is not an easy task, that’s why you might need a cleaning checklist. Many people forget to clean their shower head altogether until it becomes too late. If you’ve noticed a recent reduction in water flow, then it needs to be cleaned immediately. Otherwise, once a month is an appropriate timescale, perhaps more frequently if you live in an area with particularly hard-water.
Cleaning the shower head this will often prevent the build of limescale, bacteria and mould, so it’s more important than you think!
3 effective ways to clean a shower head
If you find water spraying in every direction when you turn the shower on then it’s certainly due for a clean. We’ve listed our top 3 ways of cleaning your shower head here:
Scrubbing the rubber nozzles
It’s common for gunk and grime to build up in the nozzles and block the flow of water making this a good place to start the cleaning process. Start by mixing baking-soda and water to form a thick paste. Apply the paste across the surface of the shower head, covering each nozzle.
After a few minutes, using a good dose of elbow-grease, scrub the nozzles with a strong sponge or toothbrush. The abrasive qualities of the baking soda solution will loosen the hardened mineral deposits, helping to unclog the shower head.
Alternatively, if you don’t have baking soda to hand you can try penetrating each nozzle with something thin such as a toothpick or a flossing brush. This will help to dig out the debris just as effectively as scrubbing!
Soaking the shower head in white vinegar
If the baking-soda solution didn’t quite do the trick then it’s time to try another method. For this you’ll need the following items:
- White vinegar
- Heavy-duty food storage bag
- Elastic band
- The first step is to fill the food storage bag with vinegar. Enough to fully submerge the shower head, but not too much that it spills out of the bag!
- Place the bag over the shower head until the entire fixture is submerged. Be careful not to spill any vinegar. If you need to add more, then this is the time to do it.
- Place the elastic band over the bag and fasten it to the shower head, keeping the bag of vinegar tightly in place. Before letting go of the bag, ensure that it’s securely fastened. We recommend closing the shower curtain during this process, in case the bag suddenly slips!
- Leave the bag to soak for a few hours, allowing the vinegar to break down the scum and stubborn stains inside the shower head.
- Remove the bag and rinse the shower head with hot water for at least a minute to drain away any excess vinegar solution and grime.
If you have a removable shower head then simply take it off its fitting and place it into the bag, seal and let it soak for a few hours.
Cleaning the filter screen
A filter screen is important to a shower head as it catches large pieces of residue from reaching the shower nozzles. However, it can become clogged up the longer it’s left uncleaned. It can be accessed by unscrewing the shower head from the hose and then removed carefully using a pair of pliers or tweezers.
Clean by rinsing in warm water, or use the baking soda and vinegar leftovers from the steps above. Reconnect to the shower head and run the hot water thoroughly.
Related reading: How to clean shower glass properly
How to clean a shower head without white vinegar
If you don’t have any distilled white vinegar available, then apple cider vinegar or lemon juice are great alternatives. The acidic qualities of these products will be just as effective in helping to dissolve the mineral deposits stuck in the shower head.
Follow the same steps as before, but simply substitute the ingredients to your preferred choice.
How to prevent limescale build up
Limescale is a shower head’s worst nightmare, if left for too long it can cause irreparable amounts of rust and ruin the shower head completely.
Luckily, keeping it limescale free is not a complicated process. After each shower, simply wipe the shower head clean of surface water using a towel or microfiber cloth.
Along with regular deep cleaning, this technique will keep the shower free of hard water stains and prevent it from rusting.
Related reading : How to Clean a Mirror : The complete guide
Wecasa professional home cleaning
If you’re still having trouble getting your shower head clean, or any other bathroom appliance for that matter, then why not consider hiring a Wecasa cleaning professional to take care of it?
We offer a range of household cleaning services including bathroom and kitchen cleaning, carpet cleaning and even housekeeping services.
Our cleaning service prices begin at £16.90 per hour and do not require a minimum order.
Wecasa offers domestic cleaners who are highly experienced in cleaning showers and will leave your home looking spotless!
To book your professional cleaning service, simply enter your address details below, and we’ll find an available cleaner in your area!
