How to De-lime a Metal Showerhead

You will improve the water pressure when you de-lime a showerhead.

Homes that have hard water usually battle hard water deposits in sinks, dishwashers, cookware and tubs. Calcium and magnesium deposits -- often called lime scale -- can also stain a metal showerhead and clog up the holes, decreasing the water pressure. With a simple home remedy, though, you can remove the lime deposits from a showerhead and restore its shine and water pressure at the same time.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench
• Saucepan
• White vinegar
• Tongs

Instructions

1. Remove the showerhead. Refer to your user’s manual for specific removal methods. It usually requires twisting the showerhead in a counterclockwise direction to get it off. A wrench may be necessary at first to loosen the showerhead from the pipe.

2. Boil a vinegar and water solution in a sauce pan large enough to accommodate the showerhead. Use approximately 1 cup of white vinegar for every 2 quarts of wate to effectively remove lime from a metal showerhead, suggests Keene State College.

3. Submerge the showerhead carefully into the boiling water and simmer for at least 15 minutes to give sufficient time for the lime deposits to dissolve.

4. Remove the showerhead carefully from the hot water with a pair of tongs and rinse it under cold running water. Attach the showerhead back to the pipe, twisting it in a clockwise direction until it is tight.

Tips & Warnings

• If are unable to remove your showerhead, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a plastic grocery bag. Use two to prevent leakage. Carefully tie the bags to the showerhead in such a way that the head can soak inside the solution. Remove after 15 minutes.

References

• Apartment Therapy: Clean & Remove Deposits from the Showerhead
• Keene State College: Green Cleaning