What is hard water and what can you do about it?

Because nobody likes a chalky kettle or scaly showerhead!

What is hard water, exactly?

Let’s keep it simple: hard water is water that’s high in minerals — mainly calcium and magnesium. These minerals aren’t harmful to drink (in fact, they’re good for you), but they can be a bit of a nightmare for your plumbing, appliances, and daily life.

Here in the UK, around 60% of homes have hard water, especially in places like London, the South East, and East Anglia. That’s thanks to all the chalk and limestone in our ground, which dissolves into the water supply as it moves through the soil.

Signs you’ve got hard water at home

Hard water loves to leave its mark — quite literally! So if you're familiar with any of these, chances are your water’s on the harder side:

• Limescale build up on kettles, taps, and showerheads

• Cloudy shower screens and glassware

• Soap that won’t lather properly

• Dry skin and dull hair after washing

• Stiff and rough clothes and towels

• White fabrics turning grey and coloured fabrics losing brightness

• Chalky residue left when washing your car

• Weak water pressure in the shower

• Red rust-coloured build-up on shower tiles in areas with higher iron content

Unseen effects

There’s also a few effects that you can’t easily see:

• Limescale build up inside pipes, reducing water flow and pressure

• Reduced efficiency and lifespan of appliances like boilers and dishwashers

• Increased energy bills due to inefficient heating systems

• Higher maintenance costs for appliances working harder than they should

• Lower hot water temperatures as limescale prevents efficient heat transfer

Is hard water bad for you?

Nope. In fact, the calcium and magnesium in hard water are essential minerals. Many bottled waters even contain them. That said, some people find hard water can irritate dry or sensitive skin, and it’s not great for your hair — more on that over here →.

Why does hard water cause limescale?

Time for a science lesson! When hard water is heated or left to evaporate, the calcium and magnesium in it turn into a solid form — usually calcium carbonate. This is what builds up in your kettle, your boiler, your showerhead, your dishwasher… you get the idea.

That white, chalky stuff? That’s limescale. And while it starts off harmless, it can build up fast - making your appliances less efficient and costing you more in energy bills and repairs.

So, what can you do about hard water?

Glad you asked! Here at Hard Water Home, we love to share DIY fixes, expert tips and products that actually work — and here are some simple ways to manage hard water.

Remove Limescale with Simple DIY Fixes

If your home’s already showing signs of hard water — chalky layers building up in the loo, a kettle that is crackling, or streaky glass in the shower — don’t panic. You don’t need fancy products to get started. In fact, some of the best limescale-fighting solutions are already sitting in your kitchen cupboard. Here's how to tackle it without harsh chemicals

White vinegar

Good old white vinegar is a limescale-fighting favourite. Its mild acidity dissolves calcium carbonate — the stuff limescale is made of — making it ideal for soaking showerheads, tap fittings, and kettle elements. Simply fill a bag or bowl with vinegar, submerge the item, and leave it to soak for a few hours (or overnight for stubborn scale). Rinse well and wipe clean. For kettles, boil a half-and-half mix of vinegar and water, then leave to sit before rinsing thoroughly. Just make sure to avoid using vinegar on natural stone or soft metals like aluminium.

Lemon juice

Lemon juice works similarly to vinegar, but with a fresh scent and a little extra gentleness on surfaces. It’s particularly good for taps, glass shower doors, tiles, and sinks. You can use it neat or dilute with water in a spray bottle. Spray onto affected areas, leave for 10–15 minutes, then wipe with a soft cloth or sponge. It cuts through surface limescale while leaving your bathroom smelling like a spa day. Bonus: the citric acid in lemons helps with water marks and soap scum too.

Citric acid

If you want something a bit more powerful but still natural, citric acid is your best mate. It’s a food-safe powder often used in preserving — and it’s brilliant at descaling kettles, coffee machines, and irons. Add a tablespoon to your kettle with water, bring it to a boil, and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing. For tougher buildup, repeat or increase the amount slightly. It’s odourless, doesn’t leave a lingering taste, and is safe to use regularly. Just avoid breathing in the dry powder — it’s fine once diluted.

Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar

This fizzy combo is brilliant for toilets, plugholes, and drains where you can’t easily scrub. Pour around half a cup of bicarbonate of soda down the drain or into the loo, followed by a splash of vinegar. You’ll get a satisfying fizz that helps break down limescale and freshen up musty smells. Let it sit for 10–30 minutes before flushing or rinsing with hot water. It’s not the strongest descaler on its own, but great for maintenance and keeping problem areas smelling clean.

Prevent build up before it starts

Once you’ve cleared away the limescale, the goal is to keep it from coming back. Prevention is all about small, everyday habits that stop hard water minerals from settling and drying on surfaces — or building up in places you can’t see, like pipes and appliances. These tips don’t take much time, but they can make a big difference in keeping your home scale-free.

Wipe down taps and shower screens daily

Hard water leaves behind mineral deposits when droplets dry on surfaces. That’s what creates those cloudy marks on taps, glass, and tiles. A quick wipe-down with a soft cloth or squeegee after each use helps stop that mineral residue from forming in the first place. It takes less than a minute but saves you a lot of scrubbing in the long run.

Empty your kettle after each boil

It might seem small, but leaving water sitting in your kettle gives minerals time to settle and cling to the base. By tipping out unused water and giving the kettle a quick swish, you help reduce the amount of scale that builds up — especially if you’re in a very hard water area. It's a simple habit that keeps your kettle cleaner for longer.

Use dishwasher salt and keep rinse aid topped up

Dishwasher salt is specially designed to soften the water inside your machine, helping to prevent scale build up on internal parts — and on your plates and glasses. Keeping both salt and rinse aid topped up also improves drying performance and stops white residue from clinging to your crockery. If your dishes are coming out streaky or dull, this is the first place to check.

Install a shower filter

Hard water can be harsh on your skin, hair, and your shower tiles. A good-quality shower filter helps reduce mineral content — often using carbon or vitamin C to filter out impurities. It won’t make your water completely soft, but it can make a noticeable difference to how your water feels and how often you need to scrub your bathroom.

Flush your boiler and pipes regularly

Limescale doesn’t just show up on surfaces — it builds up inside your plumbing too. Over time, that can reduce water pressure, increase heating costs, and shorten the life of your boiler or hot water cylinder. If you live in a hard water area or have a large household, consider booking a system flush every few years to keep everything running efficiently. It’s not a glamorous job, but it can save you money (and stress) in the long run.

Try the best hard water products

Sometimes, prevention and DIY cleaning only get you so far. That’s where specialist products come in. We've done the research and rounded up the most effective tools and treatments to help protect your home, your appliances, and your skin from the effects of hard water.

Magnetic limescale inhibitors

These clever devices attach to your incoming water pipe and use magnetic or electronic fields to alter the structure of the minerals in hard water. While they don’t remove minerals entirely, they can reduce the ability of limescale to stick to surfaces, especially inside pipes and heating systems. They're a good low-maintenance option and you can learn more about limescale inhibitors here ➡

Water softener units

A water softener is one of the most effective long-term solutions, especially in very hard water areas. Salt-based systems work by swapping calcium and magnesium for sodium through a process called ion exchange, effectively “softening” the water before it reaches your taps. Salt-free alternatives are available too and may be better suited for smaller homes or those with less extreme hard water levels.

Filtered shower heads

These are a great everyday fix for skin and hair problems caused by hard water. Many shower filters use activated carbon or vitamin C to reduce chlorine, scale and other impurities. The result? Gentler water on your skin, shinier hair, and fewer white marks on your tiles.

Eco-friendly descalers

If you're looking for natural ways to keep your kettle, dishwasher, or coffee machine running smoothly, citric acid-based descalers are a safe and effective choice. They break down limescale without harsh chemicals and are kinder to the environment than many supermarket options.

Tap and jug filters

A simple and affordable way to improve drinking water. Tap filters and filter jugs can help reduce mineral content, chlorine, and that “hard” taste that sometimes comes with mains water.

✨ Limescale lowdown ✨

• Hard water is packed with natural minerals — great for your health, not so great for your kettle.

• Over 60% of UK homes have hard water, which means limescale is a common headache.

• You can test your water hardness, treat the symptoms with DIY fixes, and prevent future build up with smart habits and the right tools.

• From a splash of vinegar to a full water softener system, you’ve got plenty of options — and we’re here to help you find what fits your home best.