How to Clean Calcium Buildup in Shower Head?

Calcium is a naturally occurring mineral and is present in water. It can also build into the shower head because of constant water flow. You can identify calcium deposits from the crusty white texture and brown stains.

How to Clean Calcium Buildup in Shower Head? You can clean the calcium buildup in the shower head with essential oils, bristled brushes, steel wool, muriatic acid, sulfamic acid, power washers, water softeners, and water and lemon paste. Moreover, you can also use vinegar, carbonated drinks, WD-40, a putty knife, and CLR liquid.

It is necessary to dissolve the calcium and limescale from the shower head because it causes clogging and decreases the water pressure.

Essential oils

You can use essential oils to dissolve the accumulated calcium from the shower head. Lemon oil is best for this purpose among all essential oil because of its acidic content.

Lemon oil naturally contains acidic content, which reacts with minerals and helps soften them for removal. Pour the lemon oil into the spray bottle to spray the affected area.

Spray the lemon oil on the calcium-deposited surface and leave it for a few minutes. Avoid leaving them long because it can affect the coated brass and chrome material.

Leave it for 12 to 15 minutes and slightly rub the surface with a soft cloth. Wash the surface with water and dry them with toilet paper.

Bristled brushes and steel wool

I used the bristled brush to clean the shower head and remove the crusty white and brownish calcium deposits for them. I repeat the procedure twice a month to prevent clogging and decreased water pressure.

Soft-bristled brushes scrap off the crusty white buildup from the fixtures because of their harsh ends. Avoid using soft brushes because these are not helpful in scrapping.

You can also use the steel wool or wire sponge for cleaning purposes. Sharp steel wool wires clear the calcium accumulation and rinse it with warm water.

Avoid scrubbing the steel wool hardly because it can damage the chrome layer of the fixtures.

Power washer

Power washers can remove dirt and other debris from various materials. You can also use pressurized water to remove crusty mineral residues from the shower head.

I prefer to hire professionals for proper cleaning procedures because high pressure can damage the other materials. You can do it at home by renting the power washer machines and saving the cost.

Keep the nozzle 2 to 4 inches away from the fixtures and turn it on. Pressurized water is helpful in the removal of calcium buildup and brown stains.

Muriatic acid and sulfamic acid

Muriatic and sulfamic acids have strong acidic properties; both components quickly dissolve the minerals. Therefore, you cannot use them frequently because they can damage the exterior coating of the shower head because of their high acidic content.

It is better to use them when calcium buildups are severe and you cannot treat them with other materials.

However, I prefer to dilute them because their high acidic content damages the metal material and makes them vulnerable to corrosion.

Mix the muriatic or sulfamic acid solution in water to make them less concentrated.

Spray the solution and then with a wet cloth or wipes. Avoid their contact with your skin because it is toxic and causes skin irritation.

Pumice stone and putty knife

Pumice stone is a volcanic rock but has a spongy and abrasive texture. I mostly use the pumice stones for cleaning purposes because of their abrasive surfaces, and I keep them in my bathrooms.

These are hard, and you can scrape off the calcium deposits from the shower head. It is cost-effective and takes 4 to 5 minutes to clean these fixtures.

You can rub the dried minerals crystals with these abrasive stones. Excessive rubbing can expose the metal parts of the shower head and increase the risk of oxidation there.

A putty knife has a thin and mild abrasive corner used to apply and spread painting material. In addition, it removes mineral deposits with this tool because it is easily available at home.

Water softener

Water softeners extract the calcium and magnesium contents from the hard water and make them mineral free. Installing water softeners can prevent the mineral contents from reaching the plumbing system.

It is the filtration system, and the filtered water then moves into the plumbing pipes. You can connect the water softener to your home’s main water supply.

People do not prefer to add them because these need an electricity supply. Interruption in power and voltage interrupts their functioning and causes limescale deposits.

The water softener system also prevents your fixtures’ brown mineral spots and clogging issues.

Salt and lemon juice paste

You can use salt and lemon juice because of their abrasive and acidic properties. Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of salt, squeeze 4 to 5 lemons, and use the stirrer to mix these ingredients.

Apply the mixed paste on the affected area and leave it for 5 minutes, depending on the severity of limescale accumulation. You can scrub the surface with a clean rag to remove the stains and mineral residues.

Wipe off the surface of these fixtures with a damp cloth or wet tissues to remove the salt and lemon juice remaining.

Vinegar and carbonated drinks

Vinegar contains acetic acid, which can easily dissolve the calcium deposits from the fixtures. In addition, acidic content dissolves the accumulated materials, and you can rinse them with water.

You can increase the efficiency of vinegar solutions by mixing them with lemon juice, baking soda, and bicarbonate soda. Mix any of these ingredients in the vinegar solution and apply the paste to the affected area.

Wipe off these mixtures with freshwater after completing cleaning procedures. Carbonated beverages also contain an acidic content, which you can use.

Use WD-40

WD-40 is a commercial degreaser, descaler, and lubricating agent used for multifunctional purposes. It removes the stubborn calcium deposits and their stains from the shower head and their parts.

The acidic ingredients in WD-40 break down the accumulated calcium carbonates from these fixtures and make them clean. These contain the descaling agents that react with minerals and dissolve them.

These come in a spraying bottle; you can spray the solution on the affected surface. Leave it for 6 minutes and wipe off the excess solution because it can attract dust.

CLR mixture

CRL stands for calcium, lime, and rust, which are used to remove tough mineral stains. It contains lactic and gluconic acid, which helps clean the calcium buildup.

CLR is available in bottles in liquid form, and you can use the spray bottle for their application. Spray the liquid CLR cleaners on the shower head and pipe and leave it for 1 to 2 minutes.

Avoid applying it frequently because the acid can damage the metal parts. You cannot apply it longer because it can damage the coated and sealed surface.

On average, you require $15 to $16 for this procedure.

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