When the hand shower is clogged due to the accumulation of mineral deposits over the years, it is necessary to give it a good clean. Instead of using a chemical that could damage it and be harmful to your health, try using vinegar. Read the article and discover two simple and effective ways to clean the hand shower with water and vinegar.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Clean a Detachable Shower
Step 1. Get all the tools you need
One way to clean the hand shower is to detach it from the hose and soak it in vinegar. If you don't have the option to detach it from the tube, or if you just don't want to, click here. Here's what you'll need to clean the hand shower with this method:
- Pot, basin or other container large enough to hold the hand shower
- White wine vinegar
- Wrench and an old rag (optional)
- Old toothbrush
- Soft cloth, for example microfiber or flannel.
Step 2. Remove the hand shower by unscrewing it counterclockwise
If you have a hard time unscrewing it, try wrapping a rag around the connecting nut, then turning it with a wrench. The rag will protect the surface of the hand shower.
Step 3. Put it in a basin
To avoid using too much vinegar, choose a container just larger than the hand shower. As an alternative to the basin you can use a plastic tureen.
Step 4. Add enough vinegar to cover the hand shower
The acids contained will favor the dissolution of calcareous deposits.
Step 5. Leave it to soak for between 30 minutes and a full night
The more encrusted the hand shower, the longer you will have to soak it in vinegar.
- If you are short on time and the hand shower is made of metal, you can use a saucepan and stove and let it soak in boiling vinegar for 15 minutes.
- If the hand shower is brass or has a gold or nickel finish, remove it from the vinegar after 30 minutes. You can always repeat the process after rinsing it off.
Step 6. Remove the hand shower from the vinegar and rinse it off
The limescale deposits should come off in small pieces.
Step 7. Scrape any residue using an old toothbrush
Focus on the area with the holes, most of the minerals will have accumulated in that area. Gently rub your toothbrush on the limescale deposits, then rinse with cold water. Continue until the shower is perfectly clean.
Step 8. Polish it with a soft cloth
You can use a microfiber or flannel cloth. Gently scrub the surface of the hand shower to dry it and remove any stains left by the water.
Step 9. Screw it back onto the pipe in the wall
Wrap electrical tape around the pipe thread in the wall, counterclockwise, then screw the hand shower back into its original position.
Step 10. Open the water tap and let it run for a while
The jet will remove any residue that has not been removed from the toothbrush.
Method 2 of 2: Clean a Non-Removable Shower
Step 1. Get all the tools you need
Even if you don't have the option to disassemble the hand shower, you can still clean it with vinegar using a common plastic bag. Here's what you'll need:
- Large enough plastic bag to hold the hand shower
- Piece of string or string to close the bag
- White wine vinegar
- Old toothbrush
- Soft cloth, for example microfiber or flannel.
Step 2. Partially fill the bag with vinegar
Do not fill it completely, or the vinegar will overflow when you try to submerge the hand shower.
Step 3. Place the bag
Bring it under the hand shower holding it open. Slowly lift it until the hand shower is completely immersed in the vinegar.
Step 4. Secure the bag to the hand shower using a piece of string or a bag tie
Tighten the top of the bag around the neck of the hand shower, then wrap and tie it with string or string. Let go of the bag very carefully and make sure it stays in place before walking away.
Step 5. Leave it to soak for between 30 minutes and a full night
The more encrusted the hand shower, the longer you will have to soak it in vinegar. If the hand shower is made of brass or has a gold or nickel finish, do not exceed 30 minutes. You can always repeat the process after rinsing it off.
Step 6. Remove the bag
Hold it with one hand and slowly untie it with the other. Tilt the bag to let the vinegar flow out. Protect your eyes from splashes.
Step 7. Open the water tap, let it run for a few moments, then close it again
The jet will eliminate any limescale deposits inside the hand shower.
Step 8. Scrub it using an old toothbrush, then turn the water back on
Focus on the area with the holes, from where the water comes out, because most of the minerals will have accumulated in that area. Turn the water back on to let any remaining residue flow. Keep scrubbing and running the water until the hand shower is perfectly clean.
Step 9. Shut off the water and polish the hand shower with a soft cloth
You can use a microfiber or flannel cloth. Gently scrub the surface of the hand shower to dry it and remove any stains left by the water.
Advice
- Also use vinegar to clean the shower taps, just pour it on a cloth and rub them carefully.
- If the smell of vinegar bothers you, open the window or turn on the fan. If you wish, you can also mix it with some lemon juice.
- If there's a stubborn stain that the vinegar can't remove, try scrubbing it with a paste made with 2 tablespoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar. Attention, this solution is not suitable for showers with delicate finishes because the salt could scratch them.
- Soaking the hand shower in vinegar is particularly effective if it is made of chromium steel, stainless steel or other metals.
Warnings
- If your bathtub or shower has marble parts, be very careful about using vinegar or you could permanently damage the surface.
- Proceed with caution when treating gold, brass, or nickel finishes with vinegar. If your hand shower has parts made from these metals, don't let it soak for more than 30 minutes.
