How to Clean Shower Heads

How to Clean Shower Heads

The Importance of Cleaning Shower Heads (Including Chrome!)

When discussing water hygiene and safety, Legionella bacteria is the number one threat to human health. This dangerous bacteria can lead to Legionnaires’ Disease, a potentially fatal illness with severe long-term effects. Even healthy individuals face a 1 in 10 chance of mortality if infected, while survivors may suffer from debilitating conditions such as:

  • Respiratory system damage
  • Acute kidney failure
  • Sepsis
  • Loss of limbs

How Showers Increase Risk

All cases of Legionnaires’ Disease are caused by the inhalation of water aerosols containing Legionella bacteria. Domestic showers are particularly risky because they produce high-pressure water droplets of varying sizes, which are easily inhaled.

Since airborne water droplets are the primary route of infection, showers pose a significant risk. This underscores the importance of properly cleaning shower heads to:

  • Improve cleanliness
  • Reduce scale and bacterial contaminants in the shower head and hose
  • Minimize the risk of Legionnaires’ Disease

Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule is vital to ensuring water hygiene and protecting users from this serious health hazard.

Who Is at Risk of Legionellosis?

While anyone can contract Legionellosis, certain groups are at a higher risk due to specific health conditions or lifestyle factors, including:

  • Individuals over 50 years of age
  • Smokers
  • Heavy drinkers
  • People with chronic conditions such as:
    • Respiratory disease
    • Kidney disease
    • Diabetes
    • Lung and heart disease
  • Those with an impaired immune system

Reducing the Risk of Legionella Growth

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that shower heads and hoses are cleaned and descaled at least every 3 months to minimize the risk of Legionella bacteria proliferation.

This emphasizes the importance of knowing how to clean shower heads effectively and thoroughly to:

  • Maintain water hygiene
  • Reduce scale and bacterial buildup
  • Protect individuals, particularly those in high-risk categories

How to Clean Shower Heads Effectively

Cleaning shower heads and hoses requires more than just using standard household cleaning products. Many of these products fail in key areas, such as:

  • Limited Descaling: Most only remove surface scale, leaving internal deposits untouched where bacteria thrive.
  • Lack of Sterilization: They rarely disinfect or sterilize the shower head.
  • Inefficiency: Many products cannot be diluted effectively for submersion, making it difficult to achieve a thorough clean.

The Showerhead Plus Solution

For effective cleaning and legionella control, Showerhead Plus is a proven solution. This product:

  • Removes Scale Deposits: Effectively descaling both the surface and internal areas of the shower head and hose.
  • Disinfects and Sterilizes: Contains a proprietary biocide to eliminate bacterial contaminants, including Legionella.
  • Chrome-Safe: Safe for chrome fittings when diluted appropriately. 

Available Sizes

The Showerhead Plus range offers flexibility to suit various needs:

  • 12.5 Litres: Ideal for large-scale cleaning operations.
  • 5 Litres: Suitable for medium-sized facilities.
  • 500ml Gel: Perfect for targeted or smaller cleaning tasks.

Features

Showerhead Plus is an acid-based, ready-to-use descaling solution with integrated biocide. It can be diluted for soaking the shower head and hose in a bucket or container, ensuring a deep clean both inside and out.

With Showerhead Plus, you can maintain hygienic, scale-free shower heads and minimize the risk of Legionella bacteria, ensuring compliance with HSE recommendations.

How to Use Showerhead Plus to Descale and Disinfect Shower Heads

Important Note: Always wear appropriate eye and skin protection when handling cleaning chemicals.

For Cleaning Removable Shower Heads and Hoses:

  1. To Remove Heavy Deposits:

    • Apply Showerhead Plus liquid neat (undiluted).
    • Caution: Test in a small area first if using on chrome fittings, as neat solution may affect them.

  2. For Routine and Regular Cleaning:

    • Dilute: Mix 1 part Showerhead Plus liquid to 3 parts water.
    • Cleaning Steps:
      1. Use a soft brush to clean the shower head, removing any loose deposits or soap scum.
      2. In a sturdy plastic bucket, immerse the shower heads and hoses in the diluted solution. Ensure that the parts are fully covered.
      3. Soak for 2-15 minutes.
      4. After soaking, gently rub off any remaining scale or contaminants.
      5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
      6. Examine the fittings to ensure they are completely clean and scale-free.

  3. Frequency:

    • The HSE recommends descaling and disinfecting shower heads quarterly to prevent Legionella bacteria build-up.

For Cleaning Fixed Shower Heads:

For shower heads that cannot be dismantled, use Showerhead Plus Gel for descaling, disinfecting, and cleaning.

  1. How to Use Showerhead Plus Gel:
    • Apply Gel: Apply Showerhead Plus Gel directly to the shower head or fitting using a brush or suitable applicator.
    • Let it Soak: Leave the gel to soak for 5 minutes.
    • Rinse Thoroughly: After soaking, rinse with clean water.
    • Inspect the Surface: If any scale remains, repeat the application and soaking process.
    • Final Disinfection: After the surface is clean and scale-free, apply another layer of Showerhead Plus Gel and leave for at least 1 minute to allow for disinfection.
    • Rinse Again: Finally, rinse thoroughly with clean water to ensure all cleaning residues are removed.
  2. Examine: Inspect the shower head or fitting to ensure it is clean and scale-free.

By following these steps, you can effectively prevent Legionella bacteria growth, ensuring your shower heads remain safe and hygienic for use.

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