Bathrooms 3 min read Updated 8 March 2026 Trade verified
How to Descale a Shower Head — Simple UK Method
80% of weak showers are just a limescaled head. £0 fix in 5 minutes.
Need parts for this job?
Trade-priced descaler in the Plumber.Parts catalog — next-day delivery.
Step-by-step method
1. Unscrew the shower head
Anti-clockwise from the hose. Check for O-ring — save it.
2. Soak in cider vinegar
Fill bowl with 500ml white vinegar or cider vinegar. Submerge head fully. Leave overnight.
3. Brush jets
Old toothbrush over the rubber nozzles. Any remaining scale flakes off.
4. Rinse and refit
Rinse in fresh water 60 seconds. Refit head with O-ring. Test.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use bleach to descale?+
No — damages chrome plating and rubber nozzles. Vinegar or citric acid only.
How often to descale?+
3-monthly in hard water areas, annually in soft water areas.