How Hard Water Impacts Your Showerhead
While vinegar is an effective cleaning solution for mineral deposits, it is only treating the symptoms, not the underlying cause.
Many homeowners are aware that hard water can have a massive effect on the home, but one thing that is often overlooked is the showerhead.
So, here we will explore how hard water can impact your showerhead and how you can correct the problem.
The Symptoms of Hard Water & Your Showerhead
If you’re finding that bathing isn’t as relaxing as it should be, it could be due to hard water. Just like in other areas of your home, hard water can lead to a buildup of scale inside the showerhead, and this restricts the water flow. One of the first signs of hard water accumulation is that the water flow to the showerhead is reduced. Over time the mineral deposits can completely block the shower head holes, allowing very little water through. As the showerhead holes get clogged, you may start to find that water sprays everywhere. While you’re trying to rinse shampoo from your hair, you may find that water is hitting the shower curtain, ceiling or tile, but very little is getting where you want it. Finally, you may notice unappealing gunk compromising the aesthetics of your clean bathroom. The mineral scale doesn’t just accumulate inside the showerhead; it can also collect around the holes, making your showerhead look dirty and crusty.
Removing Mineral Deposits From Shower Heads
Hard water can be tough on all your bathroom fixtures, but particularly on your showerhead. Removing these mineral deposits can be an unpleasant chore, but it is still possible. Fortunately, it doesn’t require specialist chemicals and expensive cleaning products. It is likely that you’ve got one of the best tools already in your kitchen cabinet; vinegar. Vinegar can counteract the mineral deposits, literally dissolving the calcium and magnesium particles. For a fast and thorough clean, all you need to do is fill a strong plastic bag halfway with vinegar. Secure this to the showerhead using string or a rubber band, so that the showerhead is submerged in the vinegar. Leave the bag in place for at least two hours, or in severe cases, overnight. The vinegar acid acts as a solvent to eat away at the deposits and create a sparkling clean finish. If this is not possible, you could also remove your shower head and soak it in a bucket filled with vinegar.
Dealing With the Underlying Issue
While vinegar is an effective cleaning solution for mineral deposits, it is only treating the symptoms, not the underlying cause. This means that you need to deal with your hard water. The mineral deposits on your showerhead will also be building up inside your fixtures, pipes and even water using appliances. Fortunately, there are a number of water treatment systems that can eliminate the magnesium and calcium in your water.
If you are having difficulties with hard water, speak to an Aqua-Life representative who can test your water contaminant levels and guide you through the treatment options best suited to your specific water quality issues.