Your new bathroom is your dream come true, which you have designed with great care and attention to detail. It's only been a few weeks since you finished the renovation and there's no sign of the shiny fittings? We have a suspect - limescale has most likely found its way into your beautiful bathroom. And while it can be quickly discovered and eliminated in visible areas such as the faucet or shower head, some parts of the bathroom equipment are often neglected because they don't catch the eye. You can often forget to clean the shower hose, which leads to worse deposits over time. We explain in the article how you can easily clean and descale it again.
Why does limescale form so quickly?
Limescale is essentially a thick deposit that forms on surfaces where hard water has evaporated, making showers, faucets, bathtubs and sinks unsightly. Shower hoses that connect the shower system to the shower head can also be severely affected by limescale deposits. This is especially true in hard water areas. In principle, the harder the water, the faster limescale forms.
The hard or calcareous water can cause the shower hose to become calcified both from the outside and from the inside. Over time, mineral deposits, soap scum, and mold can even clog the hose. If you're not careful, these deposits can build up and cause your shower hose to stop working and need to be replaced prematurely.
Luckily, there are some simple tips and tricks for removing limescale deposits in shower hoses, which we're sharing with you today. Homeowners may already have one of these waiting in their kitchen cupboard.
Clever trick: clean and descale the shower hose with vinegar
Although there are a variety of limescale cleaning products available, many people are turning to using natural substances in their household. If you prefer to stay away from chemical cleaners, you can also use home remediescalcified fittings in the bathroomto remove limescale. Some of them are even more effective than expensive cleaners and can help with many other household tasks.
One of the best home remedies is good old household vinegar. It is a versatile helper for various cleaning tasks and is considered a proven limescale remover.
And this is how you can clean the shower hose with vinegar:
Remove the hose, if possible, and place it in the sink (sealed) or in a bucket. Add hot water and vinegar in a 3 to 1 ratio and allow the shower hose to soak. This may take some time (from an hour to overnight) or you may have to repeat the process several times to remove tougher deposits. Finally, rinse the hose with clean water and dry it with a cloth. This method not only removes limescale, but also bad odors from inside the hose.
Other home remedies that help against limescale
In addition to vinegar or vinegar essence, there are a few home remedies that you can use to combat limescale deposits in the bathroom. The best of these are citric acid and baking soda, which also work well in combination with vinegar. You can also use denture cleaner. This one is known for not only having third teeth, but also manyother things in the householdin top shape, such as kettles, drinking bottles and calcified shower hoses. You should simply dissolve the tablet in some water and then insert the tube into it. After a few hours of exposure, rinse the hose and screw it back on. This method is perfect for regularly descaling the shower hose - both from the inside and outside.
Can you clean the hose without removing it?
The steam cleaner offers a good way to gently clean the outside of the shower hose if you cannot unscrew it. Thehot steamworks well for calcifications that are not so stubborn. It also disinfects the surfaces so that all bacteria and germs are killed in the shower. All you should do is spray the fitting and hose with the steam cleaner and then wipe it with a microfiber cloth.
If you can't or don't want to remove the hose, you can also use the kitchen paper trick. It's really simple and works quite well to loosen the buildup and make it easier to remove afterwards. You need to do the following:
- Soak a cleaning rag or some paper towels with white vinegar. Wrap it around the shower hose so that all calcified parts are completely covered.
- Leave the soaked cloths on for 3-4 hours to overnight, re-wetting if necessary.
- Remove the paper towels and gently wipe away the loosened debris with a sponge.
Please note:This method only cleans the exterior of the shower hose. If your shower isn't working well, smells bad, or has low water pressure, then cleaning the inside is also necessary.
When do I have to change the shower hose?
If a calcified hose has not been cleaned for a long time, it may be damaged. If the shower hose has not been changed for years and has become porous and leaky as a result, cleaning is no longer a solution - you need to replace it. Sometimes the limescale deposits inside the hose are so large that the water cannot flow as well and the shower no longer works as well. In that case, it's time for a change.
