The best way to descale a shower head - Which?

This super quick video will show you how to descale your shower head easily using citric acid. Trust us - it's better than coca-cola, bicarb and even vinegar! Make sure you subscribe for more handy household hacks.

00:00 intro
00:50 method
01:57 outro

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[grottonisred]

How do you descale the overhead shower rose?

[AoyagiAichou]

Hi Which, think you could also make a "The best way to..." video on the subject of cleaning meshes with burnt on grease, etc? Something like the basket in Russell Hobbs Cyclofry air-fryer. It went from silver to brown after a single use and nothing seems to be able to clean it. It can't be washed in dishwashers either.

[HeronCoyote]

My friend has a non-detachable large shower head (rain shower type). Can I make a paste using citric acid and water so that it sticks to the bottom (holes) side? It’s too big for most bags, and holding up a liquid-filled garbage bag to submerge the shower head is impossible.

[simonmoore]

How much bad science can you fit into one clip?? Firstly - whilst vinegar is probably easier to get hold of (many people will already have it in the kitchen) citric acid is by far the better descaling material. Not only is it a stronger acid than acetic acid (i.e. it ionises more readily in water), but also citric acid is a pure substance and it can be made up to whatever concentration in water you like. Vinegar contains only about 4% w/w acetic acid, so it is both more dilute, and weaker than citric. Secondly, bicarbonate of soda, in a paste or otherwise, will NOT dissolve limescale. Bicarbonate of soda is a base, just as limescale is. In other words it needs an acid to dissolve. Strong bases (alkalis) can be used to break up soap deposits, but not bicarbonate of soda. It's such a weak base that it is even safe to eat it (which is why it goes into indigestion remedies).

[Writtenmirror]

So much sibilance in her voice! Audio people do better!