How to Fix Hard Water in the Shower with DIY-Friendly Hacks

Your shower is anything but a place of relaxation when the shower head is too plugged up for water to come out and your walls and floor are covered in hard water stains. Fortunately, you can take steps to rid your shower of hard water so that it doesn't continue to take away from your shower experience. We’ve rounded up exactly how to fix hard water in showers so you can feel like you’re stepping into a spa.

Why Do I Have Hard Water in My Home?

With more than 85% of households containing hard water, it’s safe to say that hard water is the standard for most U.S. households. But why exactly is hard water so common? Let’s wind back the clock to science class for a minute. 

Basically, your local soil quality largely determines how much and what type of minerals are swimming around your water supply. When water flows around limestone in the ground, high amounts of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals mix with the water, causing what we know as hard water. Since magnesium and calcium aren't harmful to consume, water management operators don't filter them out of public drinking water. 

How Much Does It Cost to Fix Hard Water?  

Investing in a water softener system costs anywhere from $200 to $6,000, but most people spend an average of $1,500. Simpler fixes, such as adding a shower water filter, may cost as little as $20, but you’ll need to regularly replace the filter, which adds to your long-term expenses.

Signs of Hard Water 

Once you know what hard water looks like when it evaporates, it's nearly impossible to unsee it. Like a ghost, hard water makes itself known through the pale, white residue left behind, but it’s more than that—hard water can be much more sly, working to invisibly spook your appliances and water systems out of their ordinary performances. 

Here are some signs of hard water in your home to keep an eye out for:

• Dry skin and hair

• Faulty appliances

• Plumbing problems

• Increased utility bills

• Limescale buildup

• Stiff, dull clothes

• Plugged showerhead jets

How to Fix Hard Water in the Shower

You have several choices for fixing hard water in the shower. Below are some of the best ways to get rid of hard water.

Lower the Heat

Very hot water causes hard water to worsen because high temperatures lead to mineral separation. By lowering your water heater’s temperature and taking cooler showers, you can decrease the amount of mineral buildup in your shower. The City of Scottsdale recommends setting your water heater to somewhere between 120 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit—no more. 

Use At-Home Supplies 

Before you invest in costly hard water solutions, you may have just what you need right under the kitchen sink. While the following DIY hard water hacks won't fix the root of your hard water problem, they can help remove hard water in your shower. So check out these at-home supplies below.

Distilled White Vinegar

White vinegar’s high acidity gives it the upper hand when it comes to blasting away tough-to-remove limescale. To remove hard water in your shower with white vinegar, pour vinegar onto the limescale and allow it to sit for at least an hour. Afterward, use a non-abrasive sponge to remove the calcium deposits. 

For very tough limescale buildup, you can soak a paper towel in white vinegar and leave it in the shower for several hours before wiping away the residue.

Apple Cider Vinegar 

If you don't have distilled white vinegar on hand, apple cider vinegar works similarly to remove hard water deposits. Apple cider vinegar has a lower concentration of acetic acid, so it won’t work as well as white vinegar, but it will work in a pinch. Follow the same steps that you would with distilled white vinegar. 

Lemon Juice

Similar to vinegar, lemon juice contains high concentrations of acid that help to break down hard water minerals and leave your shower looking sparkling clean. Lemon juice concentrate has a higher concentration of acid than vinegar, so you may want to try using this solution if you’ve tried out vinegar and need something more powerful. Again, follow the same steps for using vinegar for this one. 

Baking Soda

Though it’s not acidic and won’t break down calcium deposits like vinegar and lemon juice, baking soda has a unique advantage. It works as a gentle abrasive, helping to scrub away mineral deposits from hard water without damaging the enamel or scratching your shower. 

To use baking soda, sprinkle it on problem spots, rinse it with warm water, then use a microfiber towel to wipe down the surface.

Epsom Salt

You won't use Epsom salt to scrub or clean your bath and shower combo. Instead, you can put Epsom salt in your bath to help prevent calcium and other minerals from sticking to the surface of your bathtub. The only problem with this solution is that it only works for bathtubs—not showers. 

Install a Shower Filter 

Installing a shower filter is a more proactive way to tackle hard water in your shower because it may stop hard minerals from entering your shower in the first place. You can either install a standalone filter or a showerhead filter combo. Not all shower filters are alike in performance—some only filter out chlorine, while others filter out calcium and magnesium. If you want to tackle hard minerals, read the description closely before choosing a shower filter.

Let's take a closer look at installing a shower filter to see which one might work best for you.

Stand-Alone Filter

A standalone filter attaches to an existing showerhead and filters your water for several different minerals, depending on which one you choose. Most filters remove calcium, magnesium, and chlorine and come as a separate component to your shower setup. 

To install a stand-alone shower filter, follow these steps:

• Remove your showerhead.

• Follow the instructions to attach the filter to the shower arm.

• Reconnect your showerhead.

Showerhead Filter

A showerhead filter, on the other hand, comes with a showerhead and filter setup. These showers cost more than a stand-alone filter, as they contain all the mechanisms for installing a new showerhead. 

To install a showerhead filter, do the following:

• Remove the old showerhead.

• Connect the new showerhead and filter to the shower arm as per the instructions.

Install a Water Softener 

Water softener systems include salt-based water softeners, salt-free water softeners, potassium-based water softeners, and water purifiers like reverse osmosis systems, deionization systems, and water distillers. 

Here’s how to install a water softener in your home:

• Shut off your water supply.

• Drain your faucets until they’re empty.

• Turn off the faucets.

• Position the water softener.

• Cut the main water supply line where you plan to connect the softener.

• Connect the softener’s bypass valve to the water supply line.

• Attach the supply tubes to the water heater and water supply pipes.

• Secure the fittings.

• If applicable, hook tubings between the brine tank.

• If applicable, connect the mineral tank tubings.

• Install the drain tubes for water backwash.

How to Prevent Hard Water

No one likes scrubbing tough scum out of a shower—unless you’re looking to turn your shower into a workout room. The best way to fix hard water in the shower (and save yourself the trouble of needing to scrub away future limescale) is by preventing it from happening in the first place. 

You can prevent hard water by installing a shower filter or a water softener system to trap hard water particles before they can collect in your shower. To keep hard water out, follow consistent water softener maintenance practices. 

Routinely change your filters according to the manufacturer's instructions or regularly flush your water softener system to remove mineral deposits. If you notice your water softener isn’t performing as it should, you should also stay on top of water softener repairs.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Cleaning hard water out of a shower is a laborious task. For a hands-off approach, it might be best to find a cleaning service near you to remove limescale.

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and install preventative measures, a shower filter is a simple DIY option. On the contrary, water softeners can be challenging to install yourself and may require a professional to help you choose the right size water softener and correctly install the water softener system. If you don’t feel confident installing a whole-home water system, contact your local water specialist.