Descaling your shower head: for pristine water experiences

Correctly descaling your rain shower or shower head helps you enjoy showering for a long time to come. But what does ‘correctly’ mean? This guide article offers valuable tips. Find out how to remove limescale from your overhead shower, hand shower or side shower quickly, gently and easily – so that it always gleams as brightly as it did on day one.

Correctly descale your shower to keep it gleaming

Limescale-free hand shower from hansgrohe.
Properly maintained surfaces areas and flawless functioning make your daily shower an indulgent experience.
A high-quality shower head from hansgrohe offers you indulgent experiences in your bathroom. Cleaning your shower head correctly stops limescale from spoiling your enjoyment. The following product care tips and cleaning recommendations will help you keep your shower looking good and functioning flawlessly over the long term.

A step-by-step guide to cleaning your hand shower

Special cleaning instructions for your overhead shower

A practical feature: many hansgrohe shower heads can easily be removed for cleaning, so they can be thoroughly descaled.

Many hansgrohe overhead showers are designed with an easily removable spray disc. Often, this is even dishwasher safe, making cleaning a simple task that barely takes you a moment.

To find out about any special tips that apply to your overhead shower, hand shower or side shower, please see the applicable installation manual. You can view and download this on the relevant product page

How to defeat limescale and prevent damage

Using the wrong cleaning methods and agents can damage your shower head. These are not covered by the warranty. Please observe the following recommendations.

The correct cleaning materials:

  • Use a soft, clean cloth, never abrasive agents such as sponge scourers or microfibre cloths.
  • Do not use steam cleaners as high temperatures can damage the shower.

Suitable cleaning agents:

  • Use only mild detergents, for example citric acid-based products.
  • Do not use any cleaning agents containing hydrochloric acid, formic acid, chlorine bleach or acetic acid as these can lead to significant damage. Cleaning agents containing phosphoric acid can only be used to a limited extent. Never mix cleaning agents!
  • Never spray cleaning agents directly onto showers as spray mist can get into the shower and cause damage.
  • It’s best to spray the cleaning agent onto a soft cloth and use this to wipe the surfaces.
  • After cleaning, thoroughly rinse your shower heads with clean water and flush them through.

Regular cleaning: 

In addition to choosing the right cleaning agents and materials, regular descaling also plays a key part in good shower head maintenance. How often you need to descale your shower head heavily depends on the water hardness in your region. More frequent cleaning is recommended in areas with more mineral-rich water. You can tell if limescale has started to build up as the water jets will no longer spray cleanly out of the nozzles in the shower head. 

QuickClean: a simple yet revolutionary concept for combating limescale on the shower head

Our QuickClean technology offers an efficient solution for combating the annoyance of limescale deposits. Integrated into our taps and showers, this technology is characterised by flexible silicone nozzles on the sprays. Limescale and dirt can be easily rubbed off the nozzles with your fingers – for a consistently plump and even water spray that makes showering and washing your hands far more enjoyable. QuickClean technology not only makes it easier to maintain your showers but also offers greater everyday convenience. Find out more about the benefits of QuickClean on our guide page on limescale removal.

Why is limescale on the shower head a problem?

The impact of limescale deposits on shower heads shouldn’t be underestimated as they can cause all sorts of difficulties. Firstly, too much limescale can impede the flow of water, making it come out unevenly or spray in the wrong direction. Such deposits can not only be annoying, but also affect the efficiency of your shower. Limescale deposits are also a visual problem. They look unsightly and can quickly put a stain on the overall appearance of your carefully designed bathroom.

A further, often overlooked aspect is hygiene. Bacteria and germs can collect more easily on the uneven surfaces of the limescale deposits. This can not only affect the cleanliness of your taps, but also pose a health risk.

What causes limescale on shower heads and taps?

To effectively prevent limescale deposits, it’s first important to understand what causes them. Mineral-rich or hard water is primarily found in regions with limestone rocks. The lime is released from the rock and transported through the pipe system with the water. Water hardness is generally measured in degrees of German hardness (°dH). If water is evaporated or heated as it flows through taps, these minerals are left behind and, over time, form the typical white, crusty deposits that we know as limescale. As a general rule, the harder the water, the quicker limescale builds up on taps and showers. 

How temperature affects the formation of limescale

More limescale formation at higher temperatures: calcium ions dissolve better in cold water. When the water is heated, this solubility reduces. This means that when water is heated, the dissolved minerals tend to be released and form limescale deposits.

Faster evaporation: hot water evaporates quicker than cold water. During this process, the dissolved minerals are left behind and form limescale deposits, especially in areas where water is regularly heated and evaporated, such as in kitchens and bathrooms.

So why not alleviate this problem for your taps (while also saving energy) through the flow of ‘cooler’ water by choosing models with CoolStart. When set to the middle position, only cold water can flow out of CoolStart taps whereas standard taps instantly release mixed water in the basic position, consuming energy. The result: CoolStart not only enables you to lower your CO2e emissions, but also to sustainably reduce your energy costs. To discover just how much you could save, check out our guide page on our water and energy-saving calculator.

Signs of limescale on shower heads and taps 

You can enter your bathroom with your eyes open every single day yet still not notice limescale. Here are a few typical signs that your shower head or tap is afflicted with limescale deposits and the time has come to quickly remove them.

hansgrohe Designflex and hand shower in Polished Gold Optic.
Regularly maintaining your shower taps prevents limescale in the shower so as to avoid damage and keep everything working properly.

  • Low water pressure: one of the first signs of a limescale deposit is a significant reduction in your water flow. This occurs when limescale builds up in the tap’s nozzles, constricting the channel through which the water can flow and leading to a weaker or uneven water spray.
  • Uneven water flow or water spraying in different directions: if the water sprays the wrong direction out of your shower head or flows in an irregular pattern instead of evenly, this can be an indication of limescale deposits in the spray nozzle.
  • White or greenish deposits: visible signs of limescale often include white or greenish deposits around the tap’s aerator. These deposits can also appear around the base or on other parts of the tap as well as on your shower head.
  • Stiff taps: limescale can also build up in your tap’s functional mechanisms, making it harder to operate or stiffening up the levers and buttons.
  • Noises when water is flowing: taps with a build-up of limescale can sometimes make unusual sounds such as cracking or whistling noises, especially when they are turned on or off.

Frequently asked questions on descaling shower heads

How can I effectively remove limescale deposits from my shower head?

When it comes to combating minor limescale deposits, our QuickClean technology offers an efficient solution. Integrated into our showers, this technology is characterised by flexible silicone nozzles on the sprays. Limescale and dirt can be easily rubbed off the nozzles with your fingers. Heavier limescale deposits on shower heads can be removed through the use of a citric-acid-based cleaning agent. Briefly place the shower head in a water bath containing the cleaning agent before thoroughly rinsing it with clean water. For taps, spray the cleaning agent onto a cotton cloth and carefully wipe.

How often should I descale my shower head?

How often you need to descale your shower head depends on the hardness of your water. In areas with more mineral-rich water, more frequent cleaning is recommended. You should also pay attention to the signs of a potential limescale build-up so as to combat this in a timely manner.

Is there anything you can do to prevent limescale deposits?

Regularly wiping your taps after use can prevent limescale deposits. Setting your boiler to a lower temperature can also help. Alternatively, use hansgrohe’s CoolStart technology and minimise your energy costs at the same time. If you live in a hard-water area, we thoroughly recommend installing a water softener.

Can limescale influence my shower head’s water flow?

Yes, limescale deposits can impair the water flow by blocking the openings in the sprays. This results in a weaker or uneven water spray. Regular descaling helps to preserve a good water flow and keep your tap working properly.

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