Banish shower head limescale in minutes with 'versatile' 20p remedy that's not vinegar

White, chalky marks on bathroom taps or showerheads are a telltale indicator of limescale. The unsightly stains not only leave your bathroom looking dirty but can also clog the jets of the showerhead and leave water pressure feeling lacklustre. Diminished water pressure is merely one adverse effect of blocked openings in the showerhead, alongside poor water quality, bacterial development, and even parched hair strands.

Limescale consists mainly of calcium and magnesium, which create residue on the hair when the two make direct contact. These residues can leave hair feeling coarse and harder to manage. Regular cleaning by itself won't always solve the issue, which is why Ryan McNicholl, product adviser of plumbing parts suppliers Spares Direct, suggests a natural cleaning aid.

He revealed that bleach and other aggressive chemicals should be abandoned for a natural 20p ingredient - lemons.

The method of eliminating showerhead limescale with a lemon is remarkably simple. Begin by cutting it in half, then tackle 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 anyone residing in a hard water region where limescale is more noticeable, using filtered water for the final rinse might prove beneficial.

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 techniques use lemons' brilliant natural cleaning properties to eliminate limescale build-up, all for the modest cost of 20p and 50p.

Ryan added: "For the soaking method, you'll only need additional water, which is usually free."

Regarding the advantages of abandoning harsh (and pungent) solutions like bleach and white vinegar, lemons contain no harsh components that can "damage your showerhead or the environment", explained the plumbing specialist.

The acidic qualities of lemon juice effectively break down the mineral deposits. This "versatile" solution is what Ryan recommends using every "two to three months" when cleaning the showerhead.

He advised that anyone residing in an area with hard water featuring "significant limescale accumulation" should clean their showerhead more regularly, perhaps once a month at minimum.