Maintenance and repairs

Limescale on the tap and shower head: how to remove it without damaging

You can remove limescale from the tap with a gentle cleaner designed for taps, which you spray onto a cloth, not directly onto the tap. Then rinse the tap with clean water and dry. Hydrochloric, formic and acetic acids – including vinegar – and chlorine-based products will damage the surface according to the manufacturer Hansgrohe. Clean black, gold and other coloured surfaces only with a soft cloth and water. Descale the aerator and hand shower after unscrewing in a solution of citric acid, and simply run your finger over the silicone nozzles.

Prepared by: the TGB Kúpeľne team, bathroom showroom in Senec since 1991updated 8. 11. 20266 min read

White spots on the tap, a stream that sprays sideways, and a shower head from which only half of the nozzles flow – all caused by limescale. It can be easily removed, but the wrong cleaner will permanently damage the surface of the tap, especially with black and coloured taps. We will explain what to use on which surface, how to clean the aerator and shower head, and how to prevent limescale.

Why limescale forms

Tap water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium. When a drop dries on the tap, the water evaporates and minerals remain on the surface as a white coating. The harder the water, the faster it forms. The hardness of the water in your area is provided by the water company. Most limescale accumulates in places where water stands and dries slowly – at the outlet, in the aerator, on the shower nozzles and on the underside of the lever.

What damages the surface of the tap

The surface of the tap is a thin layer of chrome, lacquer or PVD finish on a brass body. An aggressive cleaner will damage it and the damage cannot be repaired. Therefore, manufacturers specify what not to use:

Never mix cleaning products. Residues of cosmetics – soap, shampoo, hairspray or cream – also damage the surface if left on the mixer for too long, so rinse it after use.

How to clean a tap step by step

1. Spray the cleaner onto a cloth, not directly onto the tap – this is recommended by Hansgrohe. The spray could get into the openings and under the lever.
2. Wipe the tap and let the cleaner sit for only as long as indicated in the instructions.
3. Rinse with clean water to ensure no residue of the cleaner remains on the surface.
4. Wipe dry with a soft microfiber cloth – a dry tap shines and does not develop new stains.

If your tap manufacturer specifies a different procedure, their instructions apply. You can find more about black and coloured surfaces in the article Gold and bronze taps.

Aerator: clogged outlet

The aerator at the end of the outlet mixes air with water and traps dirt. When it gets clogged with limescale, the flow is weaker or sprays sideways.

1. Unscrew the aerator by hand or with an aerator key; hidden aerators have their own key.
2. Remove the screens and rinse off any dirt.
3. Soak them in a solution – Hansgrohe recommends a gentle cleaner with citric acid; warm water with a bit of detergent will also loosen weaker deposits.
4. Rinse, reassemble and screw back on.

If the aerator is damaged, replace it – they are inexpensive. When buying a new one, take the old one with you, as the threads may differ, for example, M22 and M24.

Shower head and hand shower

• Silicone nozzles – most heads have them. Just run your finger or a soft brush over them regularly, and the limescale will loosen. Hansgrohe calls this system QuickClean.
• Stronger limescale – unscrew the hand shower or head and soak it in a solution of citric acid, for example, 1 tablespoon per 1 litre of lukewarm water for 30 minutes. Undiluted vinegar essence is too strong and can damage seals and plastic parts.
• Metal or coloured head – do not submerge the entire head in the solution unless the manufacturer allows it in the instructions. Clean only the nozzles.
• Hose – wipe it with a damp cloth, checking for leaks at bends and joints.

After descaling, run the water at full flow for a few seconds to flush out any loosened pieces. You can find new heads and hand showers in the category Shower heads and hand showers on vkupelni.sk.

Limescale inside the tap

Limescale also settles inside – in the cartridge and in the screens on the inlets. It manifests as a stiff lever, dripping tap, or a thermostatic mixer that does not hold temperature. At this point, surface cleaning will not help, and the cartridge needs to be cleaned or replaced. The procedure is described in the article Dripping tap: cartridge, aerator and when to replace.

How to prevent limescale

• Wipe the tap after use with a microfiber cloth – droplets will not dry and leave stains.
• Use a squeegee on the shower glass after each shower – how to clean a shower enclosure is described in the article How to clean a shower enclosure from limescale.
• Aerator and nozzles should be cleaned every few months, more often with hard water.
• A Water softener on the supply line to your flat or house will reduce water hardness for the entire household. It is recommended and installed by a plumber.
• When buying a new tap choose heads with silicone nozzles and aerators that can be easily unscrewed.

How much do spare parts cost

Prices including VAT as of November 2026, full selection in the categories Aerators and Sealants, adhesives and cleaning agents at vkupelni.sk. Stains from limescale on wall tiles and in grout joints are described in the article Cleaning grout joints, overall bathroom maintenance in the chapter Maintenance and cleaning of the bathroom.

Common mistakes

• vinegar or vinegar essence directly on the chrome or black tap,
• limescale cleaner intended for wall tiles or toilets used on the tap,
• spray applied directly to the tap and left to act for a long time,
• scrubbing with a rough sponge or sand,
• mixing two cleaners,
• unwashed residue of the cleaner that continues to act.

We can advise you on choosing a tap with silicone nozzles, spare aerators and cartridges at our store in Senec, just bring the old part or a photo of the tap. Schedule a visit.

Related: Leaking tap · Cleaning the shower enclosure · Cleaning grout joints · Maintenance and cleaning of the bathroom · Maintenance and repairs of the bathroom

Sources: Hansgrohe – instructions for cleaning and maintaining taps and showers (prohibited acids hydrochloric, formic and acetic and chlorine bleaches, phosphoric acid conditionally, do not mix agents, spray on a cloth, rinse with clean water, no steam cleaners, QuickClean, gentle cleaner with citric acid), general maintenance guidelines from tap manufacturers (mineral acids and bases, coloured surfaces only with a soft cloth and water, residues of cosmetics), AVITAL – maintenance instructions for taps, Hornbach – descaling shower heads, SAPHO – maintenance of showers, e-shop vkupelni.sk (aerators, cartridges, Deante cleaning agent for black taps and prices, November 2026).

Terms in the dictionary: Aerator · Sanitary silicone · Cartridge · Thermostatic mixer