How to Clean a Shower Head: Guide

Household chores are never anyone’s favourite task. But having a fresh, clean bathroom is essential. Things like cleaning your shower head, plug, and taps can often be forgotten.  

Our bathrooms can get pretty grubby, and our shower heads can gather all kinds of grime. From limescale to mould, you must keep an eye on your shower head and ensure that it is kept clean. Remember, the cleaner your shower head, the cleaner the water you will be showering in.  

But cleaning a shower head doesn’t have to be as tricky as it might seem. Whether you are looking for tips on cleaning a fixed shower head or how to clean a shower head with bleach, this ultimate guide offers you everything you need to know. Say hello to easy shower head cleaning!  

1. How to clean a fixed shower head 
2. How to clean a shower head without removing it
3. How to clean with baking soda
4. How to descale your shower head

How to clean a fixed shower head  

One of the main reasons why so many of us put off cleaning our shower head is because it can be fiddly to get to if it is fixed to the wall. However, there are several easy ways that you can clean a fixed shower head.  

If you think your shower head would benefit from being soaked, then you may find the bag method the best option. To do this, you need the following: 

• A plastic bag  
• White vinegar  
• Elastic band or thick string  
• Water  

Simply mix equal parts distilled white vinegar with water so that your plastic bag is half full. Then you can place the bag over the shower head so that it is fully submerged. Secure the bag with an elastic band or thick string and leave it to soak overnight. The following morning, pour some fresh soapy water over the fixed shower head to rinse it clean.  

How to clean a shower head without removing it 

If you want to know how to clean a fixed shower head but don’t want to soak it overnight, follow these steps for an easier and quicker alternative. 

• Create a mixture of one-part white vinegar diluted into water  
• Fill a spray bottle with the mixture 
• Spritz the shower head until it is covered in the mixture and leave for the vinegar to work its magic for 5 minutes.  

• Once the mixture has had time to soak in, use an old toothbrush, wet sponge, or towel to clean the shower head.  
• Once clean, rinse with clear water until the vinegar is gone.  
• To remove any streaks, dry the showerhead with a clean cloth or towel.  

How to clean with baking soda 

It is fair to say that hundreds of cleaning products on the market claim to be the best, but you may already have one of the best cleaning ingredients in your cupboard at home. 

Baking soda is often used around the house to clean, degrease, stain remove and neutralise odours. It is also great at unclogging drains, so you don’t have to worry about it going down your drain when cleaning it off.  

If possible, then you should remove the shower head from the wall so that it is easier for you to clean. Once you’ve got the shower head off the wall, you should hold it under warm water so that any pieces of dirt or debris washes away. This will allow you to take a closer look at any problem areas of dirt or grease that you will need to focus on when cleaning.  

How to make your baking soda cleaning solution: 

• Take a medium-sized bowl.  
• Add two tablespoons of baking soda, half a cup of white vinegar, and around four drops of dishwashing liquid.  

• Mix the cleaning solution and place the shower head in the bowl to soak for at least 30 minutes.  

Once the shower head has soaked in the baking soda cleaning solution, you can use an old toothbrush to brush away any dirt, mould, grime, or mineral buildup on the shower head. The cleaning solution should’ve loosened up this dirt, making it easier to remove. This should help you avoid spending ages scrubbing the shower head clean. 

Top tip: if you find that the showerhead is still dirty and the grime is difficult to clean away, then you should soak again in the cleaning solution for another 30 minutes before attempting to clean again.  

How to clean a shower head with bleach  

Bleach is also a very popular cleaning product, but you should be aware that it can also be a harsh substance, so it is recommended that you use diluted household bleach. It is also advisable to wear gloves when handling bleach and be sure not to touch your clothes or face when using it.  

To use bleach to clean your shower head, add two cups of water and one cup of bleach to a spray bottle. Once the cap has been tightly secured, you can shake the bottle to mix the ingredients together. Then simply spray your shower head with the solution and let it soak in for around 30 minutes. This is a great option if you can’t stand for long periods as you can leave the mixture to do its magic.  

Once the solution has sat for around 30 minutes you can use a microfiber cloth or toothbrush to wipe down the shower head and remove any mineral residue or limescale. Once you’ve finished, it will look like a brand-new shower head!  

How to descale your shower head 

Limescale is caused when hard water, which is water that contains increased mineral content, evaporates and leaves behind calcium and magnesium. It appears like a chalky substance that crusts around taps and shower heads. It often makes your bathroom look dirty and worn.  

Even if your shower head looks fresh and clean then you should still be sure to clean and descale it on a regular basis. The longer you leave a shower head that is clogged with limescale, the harder it can be to get rid of it. But you don’t always need harsh chemicals to descale your shower head; sometimes, using harsh chemicals can damage it. Therefore, we would recommend that you try using vinegar instead.  

If your shower head is made from brass then you shouldn’t leave it to soak in vinegar for any longer than 20 minutes, otherwise, you may cause permanent damage. You can descale your shower by cleaning it with some distilled white vinegar and a toothbrush to clean away the limescale.  

While cleaning your shower head may sound like a long, difficult and tiring chore, knowing all the tips and tricks makes it a whole lot easier. Whether your shower head is detachable or fixed to the wall, there are a number of methods you can follow to ensure that your shower head looks sparkling clean and is limescale free. But don’t forget to stay on top of maintaining your shower head and you’ll find it a lot easier to keep it clean!