Use this guide when your shower sprays unevenly, taps splutter or white crusty deposits build up, which is common in hard-water areas. Have white vinegar or a descaling product, a bowl, a plastic bag, an elastic band, an old toothbrush and a soft cloth ready.
Step by step
Check the finish first
Look at the maker's care advice for your shower and taps. Vinegar and descalers are fine on most chrome, but can damage some coloured, brushed or gold-effect finishes and natural stone. Test on a hidden spot if you are unsure.
Remove the shower head if you can
Unscrew the shower head from the hose by hand, holding the hose so it does not twist. Put it in a bowl of white vinegar, or a descaler mixed as the label says, and leave it for one to two hours or overnight for heavy scale.
Soak a fixed head in a bag
For a fixed or rain shower head, fill a plastic bag with vinegar, pull it up so the nozzles are submerged and secure it with an elastic band. Leave it for an hour or two, checking it does not slip.
Clean tap aerators
Unscrew the aerator at the end of each tap spout, using a cloth to protect the finish if you need pliers. Soak it in vinegar, brush out the mesh and refit it. Wipe scale off the tap body with a cloth soaked in vinegar, then rinse.
Scrub, rinse and run
Brush the nozzles with an old toothbrush and rub rubber nozzles with your thumb to push scale out. Rinse everything in clean water, refit the head and run the shower hot for a minute to flush out loose bits.
Ready-to-use checklist
- White vinegar or a suitable descaler
- Bowl and plastic bag with elastic band
- Old toothbrush and soft cloth
- Rubber gloves
- Maker's cleaning advice checked
- Tap aerators removed and cleaned
- Everything rinsed and run with clean water
Practical tips
- Wiping the shower head and glass after use greatly slows limescale build-up.
- Descale the kettle by boiling a half-and-half mix of water and vinegar, leaving it to stand, then boiling and discarding fresh water twice.
- Never mix descaler or vinegar with bleach-based cleaners, as this can release harmful gas.
Common problems
The shower head will not unscrew from the hose.
Scale may have locked the thread. Wrap a cloth around the fitting, grip gently with a wrench and turn anticlockwise, or soak the joint with a vinegar-soaked cloth for an hour first. If it still will not move, descale it in place with the bag method.
Water pressure is still weak after descaling.
Check the hose is not kinked and that the small filter where the hose meets the shower unit is clean. If the whole house has low pressure, the cause is elsewhere, so ask your water company or a plumber.
The finish on the tap has gone dull or patchy.
Stop using acidic products on it and rinse well with clean water. Use only mild soapy water on that finish in future and contact the manufacturer for suitable cleaners.
This guide gives general information, not personal legal, financial or medical advice. Rules and prices change, so check the current position with the official service before acting.
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