How to Remove Calcium Deposits From a Shower Head

Calcium deposits or limescale can build up in shower heads over time due to hard water, reducing water flow and pressure. Removing these mineral deposits is an easy and inexpensive process that can restore function and improve the appearance of the shower head.

What Causes Calcium Deposits in Shower Heads?

Calcium and magnesium minerals dissolved in water create what is known as “hard water.” As hard water passes through the narrow openings in shower heads, some of the minerals are left behind. Over time, these minerals accumulate to form white or yellowish deposits that can partially or fully clog shower head holes and nozzles.

Some factors that contribute to calcium buildup in shower heads include:

High levels of calcium and magnesium in your tap water – a common issue if you have well water rather than municipal water.
Old pipes in the home that corrode and leach minerals into the water supply.
Infrequent cleaning of the shower head.
A restrictive shower head that has narrow nozzles and openings. Wider spaced openings can help minimize mineral deposits.

Signs You Need to Remove Calcium Deposits

Some signs that indicate it’s time to remove calcium deposits from your shower head include:

Visible white, yellow, or brown mineral residue around the nozzles.
Small openings in the shower head appear clogged.
Decreased water pressure and uneven water flow.
The shower stream appears cloudy rather than clear.
Squeaky, dripping noise comes from the shower head.
It takes longer to rinse off shampoo and soap in the shower.

Removing calcium deposits as soon as you notice them can help avoid a heavily clogged shower head.

How to Remove Calcium Buildup from a Shower Head

There are a few simple, safe methods to effectively remove calcium deposits from a shower head without damaging it.

Vinegar Soak

A vinegar soak is often the easiest and most effective method. Distilled white vinegar naturally breaks down calcium deposits due to its acetic acid content.

To clean shower head calcium deposits with vinegar:

Remove the shower head from the shower arm pipe. Look for a screw connector behind or around the head and unscrew counterclockwise to detach it.
Place the shower head in a bowl or container and submerge in undiluted white vinegar. The vinegar should cover the head entirely.
Let the shower head soak for anywhere from 30 minutes up to a few hours. For heavy limescale buildup, soak overnight to dissolve the stubborn mineral deposits.
After it has soaked, use an old toothbrush or small scrub brush to gently scrub off any remaining residue. Rinse well.
Reattach the shower head to the shower pipe. Run it with normal water pressure to flush out any remaining loosened mineral deposits.

Repeat the vinegar soak process as needed for stubborn calcium that requires more time to dissolve. The initial soak cleans the surface, while subsequent soaks penetrate deeper to dissolve calcium trapped in small openings.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Paste

For extra calcium cleaning power, you can make a paste with baking soda and vinegar. The chemical reaction between the base (baking soda) and acid (vinegar) amplifies their limescale removing abilities.

To make a baking soda and vinegar cleaning paste:

Add 1/2 cup baking soda to a small bowl.
Pour in 1/4 cup white vinegar and stir into a spreadable paste. The mixture will bubble while the ingredients react.
Spread the paste thoroughly over calcium deposit areas on the shower head and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
Scrub with an old toothbrush to help loosen mineral buildup.
Rinse the shower head well before reattaching to the shower pipe.

Lemon Juice Soak

For a more natural calcium remover, try soaking the shower head in lemon juice, which contains citric acid. Lemon juice can dissolve mineral deposits, though it may take longer than vinegar.

To use lemon juice for shower head cleaning:

Remove the shower head and submerge it in a bowl of fresh lemon juice.
Allow it to soak for approximately 1-2 hours. For tough limescale, let it soak overnight.
Scrub off any remaining residues with a toothbrush or scrub brush.
Rinse well, replace, and run as normal to test water flow.

Repeat as needed until deposits are fully removed.

Boiling Water Rinse

For a quick mineral remover, try flushing the shower head with boiling water. This works best for minor calcium buildup.

To rinse shower heads with boiling water:

Bring water to a rapid boil in a pot or kettle.
Remove the shower head and place the openings or nozzles over the steam escaping from the boiling water.
Carefully pour the boiling water over the shower head, aiming for the parts with calcium residue buildup.
Use an old toothbrush or scrub brush to lightly scrub areas as the boiling water is poured over them.
Rinse under normal tap water. Attach the shower head and run it as usual to test if deposits have cleared.

Repeat boiling water rinses as necessary to remove stubborn mineral deposits fully.

How to Prevent Calcium Buildup in Your Shower Head

Preventing calcium deposit buildups can help avoid having to deep clean shower heads as frequently. Suggested tips to prevent limescale include:

Choose a shower head model with rubber nozzles rather than plastic, which resist mineral buildup. Routinely check and clear nozzle openings.
Opt for a shower head with a “self-cleaning” setting, which flushes the nozzles with pressurized water.
Regularly soak the shower head overnight in a diluted vinegar solution – 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water.
Use a shower head filtering system to reduce mineral content if you have very hard water.
Frequently wipe down the shower head after use to prevent mineral residue from drying on.
Replace old shower heads that have heavy limescale buildup not removed by cleaning. The small openings may be too clogged.

When to Call a Professional for Shower Head Calcium Removal

You can typically remove light to moderate calcium deposits yourself using methods like vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water. However, it some cases, calling a plumbing professional may be needed:

The mineral deposits are thick, hard layers that vinegar soaking did not dissolve.
You’ve scrubbed vigorously but calcium still blocks the shower head openings.
The shower head is visibly damaged or warped from calcium buildup.
You need to replace internal parts in the shower head that are calcified and defective.
The shower arm piping connection is seized up with calcium deposits.
Removing the stuck shower head risks damaging the connections.

A plumber can use a chemical calcium remover or mechanically clear blocked openings and replace damaged shower head parts. For severe hard water, they may recommend installing a whole-house water softening system.

FAQs About Removing Calcium Deposits from Shower Heads

How long should I soak my shower head in vinegar?

For light deposits, soak in vinegar for 30 minutes up to 2 hours.
For heavier limescale buildup, soak 4-6 hours or overnight.
Check after initial soaking and scrub. Repeat longer soaks as needed.

How often should you clean shower heads?

Clean shower heads every 1-2 months to prevent heavy calcium deposits.
Quickly rinse and wipe down mineral residue after each use.
Deep clean with vinegar or other removers at the first signs of buildup.

What cleans calcium deposits better, vinegar or lemon juice?

Distilled white vinegar often works faster at dissolving calcium than lemon juice.
Straight vinegar is a more potent acid than lemon juice. However, lemon juice can work with longer soak times.
For best results, use hot vinegar and scrub with a brush after soaking.

Can I use apple cider vinegar to remove shower head limescale?

Yes, apple cider vinegar works to remove calcium deposits just like white vinegar. It may require lengthier soaking times due to the lower acidity. Scrub well after the vinegar soak.

How can I get rid of shower limescale overnight?

For an overnight calcium cleaner, soak the shower head in undiluted white vinegar.
You can also soak in a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water for 8-12 hours.
Scrub with an old toothbrush in the morning to remove any leftover residue.

What is the fastest way to remove limescale from a shower head?

The fastest method is to soak the shower head in hot white vinegar for 1 hour.
After soaking, scrub vigorously with a small brush while rinsing under hot water.
Repeat the soak and scrub process as needed until the openings are clear.

Removing Stubborn Calcium Deposits from Your Shower Head

Calcium and limescale can slowly build up in shower heads from hard water, eventually clogging small nozzles and reducing water pressure. Removing mineral deposits can seem stubborn and tricky, especially from older shower heads.

While vinegar is the most common shower head cleaner, tough limescale may need something stronger. Here are tips for removing the most stubborn calcium or rust from a clogged shower head:

Use White Vinegar and Muriatic Acid

For thicker calcium deposits that vinegar soaking doesn’t dissolve, try a combination of:

White vinegar to break down surface mineral deposits
Muriatic acid to penetrate deeper hardened layers

To use this calcium cleaner:

Remove the shower head and soak in vinegar as you normally would. This will clear surface buildup.
Make a solution of 1 part muriatic acid diluted with 4-5 parts water. Use gloves and work carefully as acid can irritate skin.
Submerge the shower head and soak 30-60 minutes. Scrub with a plastic bristled brush.
Rinse very thoroughly before replacing. Run water through to flush the pipes.

Check that muriatic acid is safe for your shower head finish. Limit soaking time and use caution with this acidic cleaner.

Use Coca-Cola to Loosen Rust and Limescale

Surprisingly, a good homemade cleaner for really stuck-on calcium deposits is Coca-Cola! The carbonic and phosphoric acids in Coke dissolve rust and minerals.

To clean a shower head with Coca-Cola:

Remove the shower head and submerge in a bowl of room temperature Coke.
Let soak for 1-2 hours minimum for heavy buildup.
Scrub with a brush and rinse thoroughly after soaking.
Repeat soak and scrub if needed for stubborn deposits.

The sugars in Coke can leave residues, so rinse very thoroughly after this method.

Remove Flow Restrictor Prior to Cleaning

Many modern shower heads have a small plastic flow restrictor inside the fitting that controls water volume. Removing this before cleaning can help open clogged nozzles.

To take out the flow restrictor:

Check inside the opening of the shower head fitting and look for a plastic disc.
Insert an appropriately sized flathead screwdriver into the opening and carefully pry out the disc.
Soak and scrub the shower head thoroughly. Replace the flow restrictor when finished (may need pliers).

Take care not to damage plastic threads when prying out the flow restrictor.

Opt for an Extended Vinegar and Plastic Wrap Soak

For a calcium cleaner that works overnight without constant soaking, try this method:

Remove the shower head and submerge it in a bowl of undiluted vinegar.
Cover the top of the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
Let the shower head soak for 8-12 hours. The plastic keeps vinegar vapors near the surface.
In the morning, remove the wrap and scrub the shower head clean before rinsing.

This longer vinegar soak lets the acidic vinegar fully penetrate and dissolve rigid mineral deposits. Be sure the vinegar is making direct contact with the affected areas.

Use patience and persistence to remove even the most stubborn shower head calcium and limescale deposits. A severely clogged shower head may need replacement if it does not respond fully to cleaning methods. Maintaining shower heads regularly helps avoid permanent buildup issues.

Conclusion

Regularly removing calcium deposits from your shower head helps restore peak performance and provides a more refreshing shower experience. Allowing mineral buildup to worsen over time makes removing it more difficult.

While household cleaners like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda can often dissolve deposits, severe clogs may need the help of muriatic acid or a Coca-Cola soak. For fastest results, use hot white vinegar and scrub with a brush after soaking the shower head.

Preventing limescale in the first place with regular cleaning, wide-flow shower heads, and water softening systems also minimizes problems. Overall, staying on top of calcium removal using natural, safe methods allows you to enjoy invigorating shower pressure and temperature for years to come.