This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.

Are you tired of crusty showerheads and white, calcium caked on faucets? If so, learn how to clean calcium buildup in your shower and bathroom appliances today!

A clean shower head after cleaning the calcium buildup with vinegar and water.
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

If you live in an area with hard water, youโ€™re likely familiar with calcium buildup.

But if youโ€™re not, know Itโ€™s the chalky white stuff that crusts over the edges of showerheads and around faucets.

The problem is that over time, too much calcium buildup damages appliances and affects the water flow.

Yet despair not! Help is here – in the form of good old-fashioned vinegar. I use vinegar in a number of my cleaners, so it was only fitting to use it here as well!

Vinegar is fantastic for removing all sorts of calcium and mineral deposits from hard surfaces. 

Continue reading to find a simple method for getting rid of calcium buildup in your shower using natural cleaning products.

Use this method to leave your faucets and shower heads sparkling clean without having to buy any special cleaners.

What is calcium buildup?

Calcium buildup, or limescale as itโ€™s sometimes known, is an accumulation of mineral deposits in hard water-using appliances such as showers, faucets, kettles, and toilets. 

Interestingly, the combination of hard water and warm/hot temperatures usually causes it. 

The reason is that hard water contains a high concentration of calcium and magnesium, which can, over time, become hard and crust over on shower heads, faucets, and other plumbing fixtures. 

I am personally not a fan of the way it looks, and youโ€™ll know what I mean if youโ€™ve got it in your shower!

Itโ€™s a chalky, white, flaky substance; it looks ugly and affects the water flow if it gets really bad. 

Read on to find out how to remove that calcium buildup from your bathroom today!

A stainless steel shower head with rubber nozzles after it has been cleaned with vinegar to remove the calcium buildup.

Why youโ€™ll love this cleaning method

  • Itโ€™s easy: Just vinegar, distilled water, and a plastic bag! And maybe a tiny scrub brush…
  • Itโ€™s low cost: Vinegar is inexpensive, plus a little goes a long way, so it lasts ages. 
  • It works great: I have yet to find a better cleaning method for removing limescale around my shower!
  • Itโ€™s non-toxic: Vinegar is a natural substance, so you wonโ€™t fill your bathroom with harmful fumes. Oh, and donโ€™t worry about the vinegar stench – it evaporates quickly.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.

How to clean calcium buildup in the shower

Iโ€™ve divided this shower cleaning method into two parts. 

Part one is for the main body of the shower. This is the bit you stand in, including the glass screens and the shower walls. 

Note: Do not use this method on any natural stone. Instead, use this cleaner.

The second part is for the shower head only

This is because the shower head tends to be worst affected by calcium buildup (in my experience,) so it needs a slightly different approach to tackle it. 

Ingredients: 

Instructions: Part one –  the shower body

Step one: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and distilled water into a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to combine them thoroughly.

Calcium buildup on the shower head and faucet.

Step two: Spray the mixture directly onto the calcium buildup and let it sit for several minutes; about 5 minutes is recommended. Depending on the amount of calcium present, you may need to let it sit longer or spray again a second time. 

Step three: After letting the mixture sit for several minutes, clean the shower with a dry rag. You should see a noticeable improvement in areas of calcium buildup.

Wiping the white calcium buildup off the faucet for the bath.
Wiping the hard water stains off the shower handle with a clean rag.

Step four: For more extensive or stubborn calcium buildup, use a scrub brush and gently scrub the area before wiping clean.

Top Tip: This method is extremely effective for cleaning the calcium deposits in the shower. If you are looking for an effective deep cleaner for your shower, check out this recipe.

How to remove calcium from shower head

Instructions: Part two

This process is necessary if you have buildup inside the sprayer nozzles and itโ€™s affecting the performance of your shower head.

Step one: Fill a gallon-sized zippered bag with about a cup or two of straight vinegar. 

Tying a ziplock bag to the shower head with a rubber band to clean the spray nozzles.

Step two: Position it around the shower head until the sprayer nozzles are submerged. 

Soaking the hard water buildup in a shower head nozzle in vinegar to loosen it up.

Step three: Secure it with rubberbands and leave it to sit for at least an hour or up to overnight.

Remove the bag and run your shower for several seconds to wash out the loose mineral buildup in your shower head.

Tips

  • Always use distilled water. Never use normal water from the faucet. This is so you donโ€™t use the same calcium-loaded water in your recipe! (Which kind of defeats the purpose of cleaning the shower…)
  • Donโ€™t use vinegar on natural stone, such as granite or marble.
  • Use a soft-bristled brush if you need to scrub a little at the calcium buildup to remove it completely. 

FAQs 

How do I prevent calcium buildup in my shower?

The simplest way to prevent calcium buildup is to regularly clean the area with vinegar or another multi-purpose cleaning solution

Itโ€™s also worth considering a water softener if the calcium build is too much. Soft water doesnโ€™t have the same mineral content, so itโ€™s less likely to cause limescale to form.

Are there other cleaning tools I can use to get rid of calcium buildup?

I have known people to try scraping off calcium buildup with scrapers, which works. However, youโ€™ll want to be cautious about potentially scratching your shower trim pieces.

If you do this, you risk damaging the part youโ€™re actually cleaning, plus itโ€™ll cost more in the long run to replace if this happens. 

Regarding cleaning ingredients, you could try baking soda, citric acid, or liquid dish soap as alternatives, but in my experience, vinegar works the best!

A sparkling clean shower.

Can I use malt vinegar instead of white vinegar?

I donโ€™t recommend malt vinegar for two reasons. One, it reeks far more, and the scent of vinegar is far stronger. 

Two, its color can stain surfaces and items it comes in contact with. Stick with white vinegar for the best results all around.

Key takeaways

I hope this cleaning method is helpful in your quest for a sparkly clean shower.

Remember that there are two cleaning methods here, one for the shower head and the other for the rest of the shower. 

With these in mind, dealing with hard water buildup doesnโ€™t have to be difficult at all!

Oh, and feel free to apply as much of the vinegar solution as you need until that limescale comes off. 

And if you made this recipe and loved it, leave a review below! And if you are looking for more great cleaning recipes, check out some of these favorites!

5 from 7 votes

How to Easily Clean Calcium Buildup in Your Shower

Prep: 2 minutes
Active: 15 minutes
Total: 17 minutes
Yield: 16 ounces
Say goodbye to unsightly hard water buildup in your showers with this quick and easy cleaning hack!

Equipment

Save This Recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Mix equal parts of white vinegar and distilled water into a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to combine them thoroughly.
  • Spray the mixture directly onto the calcium buildup and let it sit for several minutes; about 5 minutes is recommended. Depending on the amount of calcium present, you may need to let it sit longer or spray again a second time.ย 
  • After letting the mixture sit for several minutes, clean the shower with a dry rag. You should see a noticeable improvement in areas of calcium buildup.
  • For more extensive or stubborn calcium buildup, use a scrub brush and gently scrub the area before wiping clean.

For cleaning the shower head

  • Fill a gallon-sized zippered bag with about a cup or two of straight vinegar.ย 
  • Position it around the shower head until the sprayers are submerged.ย 
  • Secure it with rubberbands and leave it to sit for at least an hour or up to overnight.
  • Remove the bag and run your shower for several seconds to wash out the loose mineral buildup in your shower head.
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!
This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

You May Also Like

5 from 7 votes (7 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating