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White, chalky deposits on bathroom taps or showerheads are a clear sign of limescale buildup. These unsightly marks not only make your bathroom appear grubby but can also block the jets of your showerhead, resulting in disappointing water pressure.
Reduced water flow is just one negative consequence of clogged showerhead openings, along with poor water quality, bacterial growth, and even dry hair. Limescale is primarily composed of calcium and magnesium, which create deposits on hair when they come into direct contact.
These deposits can make hair feel rough and more difficult to style, reports the Express. Standard cleaning alone won't always resolve the problem, which is why Ryan McNicholl, product adviser at plumbing parts suppliers Spares Direct, recommends a natural cleaning solution.
He disclosed that bleach and other harsh chemicals should be ditched in favour of a natural 20p ingredient - lemons. The technique for removing showerhead limescale using a lemon is surprisingly straightforward.
Start by slicing it in half, then address the shower's head. Ryan said: "Directly rub the cut side of the lemon onto the limescale-affected areas of your showerhead. The natural acids in the lemon juice will help dissolve the mineral deposits. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse."
For those living in hard water areas where limescale is more prominent, using filtered water for the final rinse could prove advantageous. Alternatively, for "stubborn limescale", Ryan recommended a slightly different cleaning approach.
He suggested: "Create a lemon-infused water solution. Fill a plastic bag with water and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon. Submerge the showerhead in the solution and let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
"After soaking, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub away any loosened limescale. Finally, thoroughly rinse the showerhead with warm water to remove any lemon residue." Both methods harness the excellent natural cleaning abilities of lemons to tackle limescale accumulation, all for the reasonable price of 20p and 50p.
Ryan added: "For the soaking method, you'll only need additional water, which is usually free." When it comes to the benefits of ditching harsh (and strong-smelling) products like bleach and white vinegar, lemons contain no aggressive chemicals that can "damage your showerhead or the environment", the plumbing expert explained.
The acidic properties of lemon juice work effectively to dissolve the mineral deposits. This "versatile" approach is what Ryan suggests using every "two to three months" when maintaining the showerhead.
He recommended that anyone living in an area with hard water featuring "significant limescale accumulation" should clean their showerhead more frequently, perhaps once a month at minimum.