Try the mechanical option first, because it works and it cannot damage anything. Heads with flexible silicone cones give their deposit up to a thumb, dry, in about a minute.
When there is nothing to rub
Drilled metal or hard plastic faces have to be soaked. Before reaching for descaler, check what the manufacturer allows on that finish — most state plainly that acidic products must not be used on black, brushed, gold or coated fittings, and the damage is not reversible.
For a plain chrome head
The usual domestic method is a soak in descaler or diluted vinegar, followed by a thorough rinse. Removing the head first is better than bagging it in place: it lets the inside soak too, which is where the restriction actually is.
The part people forget
The filter washer in the inlet. It catches grit and scale, it is under the cone seal, and it is often the reason a freshly descaled head is still weak.
Preventing the next one
Wiping the face after use removes the drop before it dries. In hard water that is the whole difference, and it is free.
Questions people actually ask
Can I put a shower head in the dishwasher?
Manufacturers generally advise against it — dishwasher detergent is aggressive on plated and coated finishes, and the temperature can distort plastics. The product's own care instructions are the authority.
Why is my head still weak after descaling?
Check the filter washer in the inlet and the flow restrictor behind it. Both sit upstream of the face and neither is reached by soaking the outside.
Last reviewed 5 September 2026