Unscrew the shower head and soak it for 1 hour in equal parts white vinegar and warm water (or 2 tablespoons of citric acid in 1 litre of warm water), rub the nozzles clear, rinse and refit. A fixed head can soak in a bag tied over it.
Step by step
- Unscrew the head from the hose by hand. For a fixed head, fill a plastic bag with the solution and tie it over the head so the nozzles are covered.
- Soak the head for 1 hour in 500 ml white vinegar mixed with 500 ml warm water (or 2 tablespoons of citric acid in 1 litre of warm water).
- Rub the rubber nozzles with your thumb to push the scale out, and brush the face with the toothbrush.
- Rinse under the tap, check the washer, and screw the head back on.
- Run the shower for a minute to flush out loosened scale.
You will need
- 500 ml white vinegar and 500 ml warm water, or 2 tablespoons (about 30 g) citric acid and 1 litre of warm water
- A bowl or a plastic bag and an elastic band
- An old soft toothbrush
Take care
- Take out the rubber washer or O-ring from the hose connector before soaking, if it comes out: long acid soaks harden and crack rubber seals.
- Gold-effect, brushed and coloured shower heads can be damaged by acid. Check the maker's care guide; many say mild soapy water only.
- Don't push pins or needles into the nozzles: you can split the rubber.
How often at your hardness
The harder your water, the sooner limescale returns. Check your band below, then descale as soon as you see a white film forming.
We don't give a descaling interval for each hardness band: no appliance maker we checked publishes one for the UK's bands, so the general guidance is all we can source.
Check your water's hardness band
Keep it from coming back
- Rub the rubber nozzles every week or two while they are wet: fresh scale crumbles off.
Will a shower filter stop limescale?
No. Shower filters don't soften water: they reduce chlorine, not the calcium and magnesium that form limescale, so the head still needs descaling. Only a water softener removes hardness.
General picks — we don't hold your hardness
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links go to amazon.com; Amazon's Earn Globally service can localise them to amazon.co.uk. Check the model and UK delivery before buying.
Shower filters
Weddell Water
WD-100BL
Performance certification:
Certified by NSF to NSF/ANSI 177 for Free Available Chlorine Reduction (a US/international standard; it is not UK approval)
View Detailsreduces chlorine in shower water; does not soften water.
A UK retailer lists this model. Amazon UK stock and delivery are unverified; this Amazon link may not ship to the UK. Check the exact model and UK delivery before you pay.
Check it fits your shower fitting before buying; a US fitting may need an adaptor.
UK availability evidence checked 14 October 2026.
More on shower filters
Stop it at the source
Frequently asked questions
- How do you remove limescale from a shower head?
- Unscrew it and soak it for 1 hour in equal parts white vinegar and warm water, rub the nozzles clear, rinse and refit. A fixed head can soak in a bag tied over it.
- Does a shower filter stop limescale?
- No. Shower filters reduce chlorine; they do not remove calcium and magnesium, so they do not soften water or stop limescale. Only a softener does that.
- Can I soak a shower head overnight?
- It is best not to: an hour is usually enough, and long soaks harden rubber seals and can dull plated finishes.
Sources
- Drinking Water Inspectorate ↗ · Undated consumer page, Table 1; checked 13 October 2026 · Open Government Licence v3.0 (page footer). · read 13 October 2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0