Most people can overlook cleaning their showerhead, but it can become the dirtiest spot in the bathroom as it will become clogged and a breeding ground for bacteria.
Showerheads should be cleaned every three to six months to also prevent the build-up of mould and limescale, which is a chalky white substance made from the minerals in water.
If showerheads are not cleaned, not only will they become filthy but the water will not be able to flow as freely, which will affect the pressure and water bill costs as it will require more water for a shower.
However, Francesca, a cleaning expert and founder of Thoroughly Modern Grandma, has shared a quick and easy way to clean showerheads in minutes – and all you need is citric acid.
Francesca said: “Have you ever noticed how the holes in your shower head get clogged up? These can easily be cleaned by soaking your shower head in a solution of hot water and citric acid. Leave for around 10 minutes and then rinse.”
What is citric acid?
There are lots of popular cleaning solutions to get rid of limescale online from vinegar to Coca-Cola, but citric acid is recommended for use on showers as it will be gentle on the plastic, metal and rubber inside a showerhead.
Most commercial cleaners and bleach are far too harsh to use on a showerhead and can risk damaging the shower rather than cleaning it.
Citric acid is an organic acid found in most citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons and a crystalised version of it can be found in most supermarkets.
Francesca said: “Citric acid is a great addition to your list of natural cleaning ingredients as its low pH means it is very acidic which means it’s very good for removing things like calcium (limescale), rust, and other minerals.
“It’s also useful for killing mould and mildew and can be used as a preservative.”
How to use citric acid to clean a showerhead
All you have to do is pop the kettle on, wait for it to boil and then fill a bowl with the hot water.
Unscrew the showerhead, place it in a bowl of hot water and add a few tablespoons of citric acid to the bowl.
Leave the submerged showerhead to soak in the cleaning solution for 10 minutes, but you can leave it for longer if it is particularly stained.
After the time is up, give the showerhead a rinse with cold water, dry it and screw it back into the shower.
The showerhead should now be sparkling clean and limescale-free so you can take a shower without having to worry about any gunk clogging up the shower.
