How to Remove Calcium From a Showerhead

When you take a shower or clean the tub and shower area of your bathroom, you may notice a calcium buildup on the showerhead. This type of buildup is a white, chalky residue and you’ll notice it worsening over time. Fortunately, there are ways to clean your showerhead and remove this stubborn stain from the area. Here’s some information about calcium buildup, how it occurs, and ways to remove the calcium from the showerhead in your tub. 

What is Calcium Buildup?

Calcium buildup is a mineral deposit that collects on your showerhead over time. If this type of substance accumulates on the showerhead for too long, it could impede the water flow and prevent it from getting through the showerhead. The calcium buildup could also cause a backup in the plumbing pipes due to the water flow being restricted.

How Does Calcium Buildup Occur?

Calcium buildup is often the result of hard water that causes mineral deposits. When the hard water moves through the showerhead and the water evaporates, there will be a residue left over due to the mineral deposits. This residue will accumulate over time and eventually start to restrict the water flow through the showerhead. Therefore, it’s important to clear away the calcium deposits as often as possible to ensure the showerhead, and ultimately the plumbing in your home, continues to work properly. 

Steps to Remove Calcium Buildup

When you’re ready to clean the calcium buildup on your showerhead, here are a few steps you can take to do so:

1. Remove the showerhead: Disconnect the showerhead from the shower arm. This can usually be accomplished by turning the showerhead counterclockwise until you can remove it. 
2. Soak the showerhead in white vinegar: Prepare a bowl of white vinegar, preferably containing 5% acidity, and place the showerhead in the bowl. Soak the showerhead for at least 8 hours. 
3. Rinse in warm water: After the showerhead has soaked for the recommended time, you can remove it from the bowl of vinegar and rinse it in the sink using warm water. In order to fully remove the calcium deposits, use an old toothbrush to work the calcium deposits free from the showerhead. 
4. Put the showerhead back on: Once you’ve rinsed the showerhead fully and removed most, if not all, of the calcium deposits, you can then reattach the showerhead to the shower arm. 
5. Turn the shower on and let the water run: Once the showerhead is back on the shower arm, you should then turn on the shower and let the water run out of the showerhead for a few minutes. Doing so enables you to completely clear the showerhead of any leftover calcium deposits and remove any remaining buildup from the exterior area of the showerhead.  

This process should be repeated whenever you notice the calcium deposits building up on the showerhead. Don’t let the calcium buildup last too long on the showerhead as it will make it more difficult to remove all of the mineral deposits during each cleaning session. 

Contact NuBlue for Help With All of Your Plumbing Needs

NuBlue offers a wide array of plumbing services to North Carolina residents in the Lake Norman, Charlotte, Fayetteville, and Greenville areas. If you need plumbing repairs or wish to add a water filter system to your home, our team is here to help. Our professional plumbers will answer any questions you have and provide you with the plumbing solutions you need for your home. 

Contact NuBlue today for plumbing installation, plumbing repairs, and to help with any other issues you may have regarding the proper working order of your plumbing pipes, drains, and faucets.