Is your shower head spraying in different directions? Cleaning expert Nancy Birtwhistle has the 'pure magic' scrub-free solution

No one wants to spend ages scrubbing limescale off their shower head. Luckily, with this method, you won't have to

picture of chrome shower head running water with a cut out of Nancy Birtwhistle over top
(Image credit: Getty Images / Shuttershock)

I don't know about you, but I find shower heads to be one of the most frustrating things to clean in my home, especially when the limescale has fully taken over. So I was joyous when I spotted Nancy Birtwhistle has a scrub-free solution.

Although limescale removal isn't a part of my daily cleaning habits, it is still one of the jobs I really dread doing. And yet it's incredibly important to keep on top of it because of the way it affects my shower head's performance; having streams of water going in every direction is far from ideal.

Usually, when I'm in these predicaments, I rely on my expert cleaning hacks, but I hadn't yet discovered cleaning expert Nancy Birtwhistle's 'Pure Magic' spray and solution. It's safe to say I won't be dreading cleaning my shower head ever again.

Although it's one of the household items we should clean more regularly, it's quite easy to avoid cleaning the shower head for months. However, with this simple, scrub-free method, I'll certainly be doing it more often.

"When I got in the shower this morning, I thought the water here was spraying out in all different directions, and then I looked at the rose, limescale," starts Nancy.

"Unscrew, find a dish to fit, use pure magic solution, spray on, flip over and spray other side. Then leave in solution for one hour, rinse in warm water and reattach," she continues.

To make her versatile 'Pure Magic' cleaning solution, Nancy shares the simple chemical-free recipe in her book, and it's incredibly affordable and easy to make.

"Place the citric acid in the heatproof measuring jug, pour over the measure of the just-boiled water straight from the kettle and then stir until completely dissolved and the solution is as clear as plain water," explains Nancy in her book Clean Magic, available for £11.05 at Amazon.

picture of a chrome shower head with limescale on it

(Image credit: Getty Images)

"Once cool, add the washing-up liquid and, if using, the essential oil for perfume. Brightly coloured, branded chemical types of washing-up liquid may solidify the mix. Be sure, too, to use washing-up liquid or dish soap, not hand soap, as this may cause lumps," continues Nancy.

"Leave the liquid in the jug to cool completely, uncovered, for a few hours, then transfer to a spray bottle - label it Pure Magic so that you don't get mixed up and your cleaning can begin," she adds.

Cleaning with citric acid is a fantastic way to keep your home chemical-free; it's often forgotten about, but it tackles soap scum, limescale and mineral deposits all over your home.


Whilst we are big fans of investing in some luxury cleaning products for many jobs around the home, there are plenty of low-cost, simple solutions that work just as well as the branded soaps and sprays.

Emily Smith
Digital lifestyle writer

Emily joined woman&home as a staff writer after finishing her MA in Magazine Journalism from City University in 2023. After writing various health and news content, she now specialises in lifestyle, covering unique cleaning hacks, gardening how-tos, and everything to help your houseplants thrive.

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