How often should shower heads be disinfected?

Author: Destany Ritchie  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 3, 2025

To reduce the risk of Legionella growth the HSE recommends the cleaning and descaling of shower heads and hoses at least every 3 months, which is why it is important to understand how to clean shower heads effectively and thoroughly.

Do you need to disinfect a shower head?

Descaling, cleaning and disinfecting shower heads is a necessity. The potential build-up of scale and biofilm will not only restrict the flow of the shower head but could lead to the growth of Legionella bacteria.

How often should you clean a shower head?

Use the steps below to clean your shower head at least once every 3 months to help prevent infections.

How do you clean a shower head to prevent legionnaires disease?

How to disinfect the showerhead to prevent Legionnaires' disease
  1. Remove the showerhead from the hose.
  2. Take apart the showerhead.
  3. Put the parts from the showerhead and the hose in the sink and soak in hot water with an appropriate showerhead cleaner.
  4. Use a brush to remove stubborn residue.

Can bacteria grow in shower head?

Photo: via Unsplash. Could bacteria in your shower make you sick? New research led by the UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS) finds that a cousin of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, called nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), can be found in the aerosol spray from your showerhead.

EASIEST Way To Clean Your Shower Head💥(UNBELIEVABLE RESULT)!!

What happens if you don't clean your showerhead?

When it comes to maintaining a clean and functional bathroom, many homeowners tend to overlook the importance of regularly cleaning their shower heads. However, neglecting this essential task can lead to many problems, including reduced water pressure, clogged nozzles, and even the buildup of harmful bacteria.

How often should you run a shower to prevent Legionella?

When you first move into your home, run the bath and hand basin taps continuously for at least five minutes. This will flush through any bacteria. If your shower has not been used for a week or more, run water from both hot and cold supplies through the shower hose and showerhead for two minutes.

What are the symptoms of showerhead sickness?

NTM Symptoms
  • Chronic or recurring cough.
  • Fever.
  • Weight loss.
  • Lack of appetite.
  • Night sweats.
  • Loss of energy.

What are the first signs of Legionnaires' disease?

Legionnaires' disease, the pneumonic form, has an incubation period of 2 to 10 days (but up to 16 days has been recorded in some outbreaks). Initially, symptoms are fever, loss of appetite, headache, malaise and lethargy. Some patients may also have muscle pain, diarrhoea and confusion.

How often must shower heads and hoses be cleaned and descaled?

Stagnant water favours legionella growth. To reduce the risk you should remove dead legs/dead ends in pipe-work, flush out infrequently used outlets (including showerheads and taps) at least weekly and clean and de-scale shower heads and hoses at least quarterly.

What is the life expectancy of a shower head?

Faucets and Showerheads

Kitchen and bathroom fixtures have varying lifespans depending on their quality and usage: Kitchen faucets: 15-20 years. Bathroom faucets: 15-20 years. Showerheads: 10-15 years.

How to remove bacteria from a shower head?

White vinegar is fantastic for cleaning shower heads. The acetic acid in the vinegar breaks down many mineral deposits, including rust and limescale. If you have a fixed shower head, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie the bag over the shower head. Leave the vinegar to soak for a few hours, preferably overnight.

How often should you disinfect your shower?

A quick summary: they all suggest that the shower needs a little daily TLC and a good cleaning once a week.

How often should a shower head be cleaned?

To reduce the risk of Legionella growth the HSE recommends the cleaning and descaling of shower heads and hoses at least every 3 months, which is why it is important to understand how to clean shower heads effectively and thoroughly.

What causes black gunk in the shower head?

Aside from manganese bacteria, rubber seals in your water heater and corroded pipes can also cause black gunk on your fixtures. There's also a slight chance you're seeing mold, though this is rarely the case. Mold typically grows in dark, damp places with little water movement.

Can I use Lysol on shower head?

Simply hold the can upright 6-8 inches away from the surface and spray for 6 seconds until covered with mist, and this should do the job. Please note: Always use Lysol® products as directed on label.

What time of year is Legionnaires disease most likely?

More illness is usually found in the summer and early fall, but it can happen any time of year.

How do I know if my water has Legionnaires?

Testing or monitoring legionella in your water system

Water samples should be tested by a UKAS-accredited laboratory that takes part in a water microbiology proficiency testing scheme such as that run by the UK Health Security Agency.

How easy is it to catch legionnaires?

How you get Legionnaires' disease. You can get Legionnaires' disease if you breathe in tiny droplets of water containing bacteria that cause the infection. It's usually caught in places like hotels, hospitals or offices where the bacteria have got into the water supply. It's less common to catch it at home.

What happens if you don't clean your shower head?

If you're not cleaning your shower head regularly, it's highly likely you've got a case of calcium, hard water, and moldy buildup, which eventually leads to clogged nozzles, a decrease in water pressure, or worse, damage to your hair.

How to avoid Legionella in showers?

Temperature Control: Ensure your water heater is set to a temperature above 60°C. Legionella bacteria thrive in temperatures between 20°C and 45°C, so maintaining higher temperatures can help prevent their growth.

Is my shower head making me sick?

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) is a bacteria that occurs naturally in water and soil but has also found its way into plenty of showerheads. While many of NTM's 150+ species are completely harmless, others can cause severe lung infections, particularly in people who have a weakened immune system.

How to disinfect a shower head?

If you don't mind removing the head from the shower pipe, you can submerge the shower head in a container full of white vinegar. - Let the shower head soak in the vinegar for a few hours. - Re-attach the shower head to the shower pipe and run water through the head for a few minutes to clear out the vinegar.

How often should you flush an unused toilet?

Here are some things to do if you have a bathroom that does not get used that often: The main thing is to run water in the sink, shower and flush the toilet at least once a week. This will keep the traps full. A trap that has evaporated will let sewer gas into your home causing odor.

How do you flush your water system for legionella?

The five-minute flush
  1. Hot water – a minimum of 50 degrees Celsius after one minute (55 degrees Celsius in healthcare settings). With a TMV fitted, water temperatures at the hot tap should not exceed 44 degrees Celsius.
  2. Cold water – a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius or below after two minutes.

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