How to clean shower head: Why NOT to use bleach

More than 60 percent of the UK is affected by hard water, which means there is almost definitely a bit of limescale inside your shower head. If your shower head isn’t as powerful as it used to be, it’s probably because the holes are clogged with limescale. Express.co.uk chatted to Lynsey Queen of Clean (@lynsey_queenofclean on Instagram) to find out how to clean your showerhead.

Showerheads need to be cleaned at least once a month to ensure optimal functioning.

You can’t see the inside of your shower head, but it’s probably absolutely filthy.

Mineral deposits and organic matter build up over time inside the showerhead, causing blockages and a weak flow of water.

Showerheads aren’t just full of limescale and hard water deposits, they’re probably teeming with bacteria, mould and other germs.

These nasty germs thrive in the hot, humid and damp environment that is your showerhead.

Your showerhead is probably blocked up with slime, and this prevents irritants from being flushed out by the chlorine in the water.

All of this is bad for your health as it can cause infections and worsen your breathing.

How to clean a showerhead

If your shower head comes off the wall or ceiling, cleaning it is going to be very easy.

All you need is a bucket, some washing up liquid and white vinegar.

Lynsey said: “If you are lucky enough to have a shower head that comes off, you can soak this overnight in a bucket or in the sink with a mixture of washing up liquid, warm water and white vinegar.”

If you can dismantle and put the parts of the showerhead in the solution separately, you’ll get excellent results.

Give the showerhead or separate parts a good scrub the following day and rinse with clean water to reveal a sparkling, limescale free showerhead.

If your shower head is really covered in limescale, you should use citric acid or a shop-bought limescale remover to get rid of the limescale.

A mixture of citric acid and water is cheaper and better for the environment than white vinegar, but both will do the job.

If your showerhead doesn’t come off, don’t panic! You can still clean the showerhead while it’s on the wall.

You’ll need an old towel or paper towels and some white vinegar.

Lynsey said: “Drench an old towel in white vinegar and then wrap it around the showerhead.”

Leave it on there for 15 to 20 minutes and then use a toothpick to unclog the holes.

You should never use bleach or other harsh chemical products on your shower head.

Lynsey said: “If you have a chrome-effect shower head, harsh chemicals will damage the head and cause peeling.”

Bleach can apparently increase the production of harmful bacteria in showerheads and it’s a nightmare to clean with as it ruins clothes.

Don’t use a hard bristle brush to clean a showerhead either because it will cause scratching or scuffing.

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