Descale a shower head

Remove limescale from a shower head using a vinegar or shop-bought descaler soak and a scrub.

DS-01Gather what you needYou'll need white vinegar or a shop-bought limescale remover, a bowl or a sandwich bag, an old toothbrush, and a cloth. Lay a towel in the shower tray in case anything drips.

500 ml · White vinegar

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1 bottle · Limescale remover (alternative to vinegar)

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1 each · Old toothbrush

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1 each · Sandwich bag or freezer bag

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1 each · Elastic band or string

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DS-02Check whether the shower head comes offMost handheld shower heads unscrew from the hose by hand or with gentle help from pliers wrapped in a cloth. Fixed shower heads on an arm may also unscrew where they meet the arm. If it won't budge without force, leave it in place and use the bag method in the next step instead.

DS-03Soak the shower headIf it comes off, submerge it fully in a bowl of white vinegar or descaler for 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on how bad the limescale is. If it stays fixed to the wall, fill a sandwich bag with vinegar or descaler, slide it over the shower head so the nozzles sit in the liquid, and tie or band it in place. Leave for the same amount of time.

DS-04Scrub the nozzlesAfter soaking, take the shower head out (or remove the bag) and scrub each nozzle hole with the old toothbrush. This loosens any limescale the soak has softened but not fully dissolved. Rinse under a running tap as you go to check your progress.

DS-05Rinse thoroughlyRun clean water through the shower head, or hold it under a tap, until no more vinegar smell or residue comes through. This stops any leftover descaler irritating skin when you next shower.

DS-06Reattach the shower headScrew the shower head back onto the hose or arm by hand until snug. If it was leaking slightly before, or the thread looks worn, wrap two or three turns of PTFE tape clockwise round the thread before refitting.

1 roll · PTFE tape

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DS-07Test and check for leaksTurn the shower on and check the spray pattern is even across all nozzles. Check the joint where the head meets the hose or arm for drips. If it leaks, turn off, add a touch more PTFE tape, and refit.

DS-08Tidy upRinse the bowl and toothbrush, and wipe down the shower tray and any surfaces you used. Dispose of any leftover descaler down the drain with plenty of running water, following the bottle's instructions.

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