Does Hello Klean reduce limescale?

And is it the game-changer for your hair and skin you’ve been searching for?

Live in a hard water area and wondering if Hello Klean actually reduces limescale? The short answer: yes — to a degree.

Is your hair frizzy, brittle, or have you noticed your colour fades faster than it should? Does your skin feel tight and dry when you step out of the shower, or have you noticed eczema flare ups? The problem might be flowing straight from your showerhead. If you live in a hard water area, the minerals in your water could be the reason why your skin and hair aren't feeling in top shape.

While hard water isn’t harmful to drink, it can be a nuisance for your hair and skin. That’s where shower filters like Hello Klean can help. So the big question is: does Hello Klean actually make a difference? Let’s dig in

Why hard water can be a problem

You see the way the minerals cling to your shower head? It’s also doing the same thing to your skin and hair and breaking down it’s natural moisture. Hard water is full of minerals like calcium and magnesium. Great for your body when you drink them — not so great when they’re left clinging to your skin and hair.

I was at my hairdresser’s the other day, and was talking about how my hair felt so much drier and harder to manage since moving to Poole. Back when I lived in Scotland — soft water heaven — my hair was always easier to manage. But since moving to the south coast? Different story. It doesn’t lather as well, it tangles more easily, and the frizz is a constant battle. I blamed the electric shower, my shampoo, even the weather...

She didn’t even hesitate.

“It’s the hard water,” she said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. She’d had the same realisation when she moved from up north to Bournemouth, and she sees it all the time in her clients. In soft water areas, colour lasts longer and hair stays smoother. In hard water areas, it fades quicker, feels rougher, and loses moisture no matter how many ‘hydrating’ products you throw at it.

And suddenly it all made sense. It wasn’t my shower. It wasn’t my shampoo. It was the water.

Does Hello Klean soften water?

No, the Hello Klean filter doesn’t soften your shower water. A true water softener removes calcium and magnesium (the minerals responsible for limescale) through a process called ion-exchange. The Hello Klean shower filter doesn't do that.

But...

It does improve the feel and quality of the water through a combination of filtration materials (more on those below). This can make shower water feel gentler on skin and hair, even though the mineral content hasn’t changed and your shower water is still hard.

So: no, it doesn’t technically soften your water — but it can make hard water feel less harsh in daily use.

How does Hello Klean reduce limescale and effects of hard water?

Even though it doesn’t remove calcium and magnesium, the filter uses a mix of filtration materials to reduce some of the harshness of your water. Here's what's going on inside when you use it:

Calcium sulphite is really good at removing chlorine, even in hot water. When there’s less chlorine around, the water is a bit more “balanced,” so limescale doesn’t build up as quickly.

Ceramic beads help change the way the minerals behave in the water. They don’t remove calcium or magnesium, but they can stop those minerals from grabbing onto surfaces — like your showerhead, tiles or even your hair.

KDF-55 acts like a filter for things like heavy metals and other impurities. Taking those out can help reduce limescale build up and make the water feel gentler.

What online reviewers say

We analysed 100 real Hello Klean reviews and found:

80% Positive (4–5 stars) Most people genuinely loved it — from softer hair to calmer skin, this filter clearly delivered on its promises for the majority.

7% Neutral (3 stars) A few reviewers were on the fence — they liked some aspects, but weren’t completely wowed or felt unsure if it made a real difference.

13% Negative (1–2 stars) The minority had a frustrating experience, mostly due to leaks, low pressure, or poor customer service that overshadowed the benefits.

Read more about how the filter stacks up in Hello Klean reviews: what 100 UK users think in 2025

So… should you try it?

If your skin feels dry, your hair’s got a mind of its own, or you’ve got eczema or colour-treated hair that’s fading fast, a shower filter like Hello Klean could be worth trying. For many users, the difference is noticeable — especially after a few weeks of regular use.

Plus, with the current Hello Klean discount code HELLO2025, you can get 25% off your first purchase.

Just be aware that it’s not a one-and-done investment. The filter cartridges need replacing every 3–4 months, so it’s something to factor into the cost.

It’s worth bearing in mind the shower filter won't stop limescale completely, so if you’re looking for a more effective solution a water softening system might be for you.

✨ Limescale Lowdown ✨

• Hello Klean doesn’t remove every trace of hardness from your water, but it does help soften the water to an extent.

• For many people, that’s enough to notice softer skin, shinier hair, and fewer itchy post-shower flare-ups.

• It won’t fix every hard water problem, it’s a simple, low-commitment upgrade that could make your morning routine feel better.

---

Author bio: Lucinda Smalley is founder and hard water expert at Hard Water Home, a UK-based consumer advice site helping households in hard water areas understand the challenges and solutions more easily - and make smarter choices for their health and home. Based in Poole, she also runs an award-winning plumbing company, giving her unique insight into how water quality affects our homes. Away from the desk, she’s happiest at the beach with her family and a good cup of coffee (minus the floaty bits!). More about us ➡