Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Caustic acid and shower head?

13 replies

Blowingthroughthejasmine · 29/07/2019 10:57

Can I plunge my shower head into caustic acid to descale it and if yes how much caustic acid, tea spoon?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 29/07/2019 11:01

I'd buy a descaler or use vinegar

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/07/2019 11:02

You don't need that. Just use lime scale remover, e.g. the stuff you buy in the supermarket for kettles, or e.g. Viakal is good.

Soola · 29/07/2019 11:11

Old titbrush and bicarbonate of soda and gentle scrub into a lather then rise and flush through it spray with diluted zoflora/dettol if you fancy!

Soola · 29/07/2019 11:11

Toothbrush

WrongKindOfFace · 29/07/2019 11:25

Yes, normal descaler works perfectly well. Or white vinegar.

BoreOfWhabylon · 29/07/2019 11:28

Vinegar in a small plastic bag. Put shower heard in and secure with an elastic band to ensure it stays submerged. Leave for several hours/overnight.

It will come out clean as a whistle.

Blowingthroughthejasmine · 29/07/2019 11:34

It's in jug of apple cider vinegar diluted

OP posts:
SerendipityJane · 29/07/2019 12:08

Caustic acid, or caustic soda ? If soda , it's a very strong alkali so for the love of God be careful with it - it can do the most terrible damage if splashed onto skin.

BoreOfWhabylon · 29/07/2019 12:37

Might not work with diluted vinegar. I've only ever used it neat.

Greenolivesorblackolives · 29/07/2019 12:40

I use citric acid. Just mix with some water and soak. Comes up great.

BigGlasses · 29/07/2019 12:50

What sort of caustic acid? Caustic, although can also mean corrosive, is normally a generic term for sodium hydroxide. you can get this as crystals for unblocking drains are it is basic/alkali and won't help with your limescale, though are great for getting rid of drains blocked with hair and soapy fat. Like a previous posters said, it is horribly strong and will dissolve your skin (that is what the slimy/soapy feeling is when you use it with bare skin - your skin dissolving!)

You need acid to get rid of the limescale, something like vinegar or lemon juice.

Blowingthroughthejasmine · 29/07/2019 13:28

I'm sorry it's citric acid not caustic soda Grin

OP posts:
DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 29/07/2019 13:48

Titbrush. Fnarr.

Vinegar is best tbh, some of the other descalers contain hydrochloric acid. I fucked a very expensive mixer tap using a commercial variant.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page