Limescale is a common nuisance in our showers. Chalky deposits tarnish the shine of fixtures, cloud glass screens, and even impede the flow of water from showerheads.
Jacqueline Stein, professional cleaner and owner of Home Reimagined in Texas, has revealed the best way to remove hard water stains and people need to spend at least 15 minutes on it. Limescale is primarily composed of calcium carbonate, a hard, chalky deposit that forms when hard water evaporates. Hard water is common in many parts of the UK, from Norfolk, Suffolk and Kent to North Yorkshire, Nottingham, Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, and Dorset. It contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. When water heats up or evaporates, these minerals precipitate out and cling to surfaces, forming a white, crusty buildup. Stein told Southern Living that if you have hard water remaining on your glass shower doors, spray distilled vinegar on them and let them sit for 15 minutes to 12 hours, before scrubbing with a sponge and rinsing them clean.
Once you’re done cleaning the shower, you can squeegee the entire shower and dry all fixtures and any remaining water on walls, floors, doors, and other surfaces. “A dry shower is the best way to avoid water spots, mould and bacteria,” explains Stein.
Cleaning expert Matthew Harrison at PriceYourJob.co.uk recommends using vinegar as the best way to descale your showerhead.
Matthew said that the best way to clean and descale a handheld shower head is with vinegar. First, remove the shower head from the attached hose, ensuring you remove the small rubber washer and set it aside so it doesn’t get lost.
Then, place the shower head in a bucket or large plastic container and cover it with white vinegar. Leave the shower head to soak in the vinegar for a minimum of 30 minutes – aim to leave it for around an hour, if possible.
After the soaking time is up, remove the shower head and rinse it with water. Then, use an old toothbrush to remove any remaining limescale. Pay particular attention to the nozzle.
Rinse the shower head again with water and polish it with a clean, dry microfibre cloth. Lastly, reattach the hose to the shower head and then turn the shower on. This will flush out any remaining limescale and leave your shower head looking sparkling clean.
