--- title: "HOW TO: KEEP YOUR SHOWER HEAD, HOSE, AND DISINFECTION CLEAN" description: Legionella bacteria is a dangerous microorganism that can thrive in warm, stagnant water and cause Legionnaire's disease. This serious illness can be contracted through the inhalation of water droplets, such as those generated by shower heads. In order to prevent the growth and spread of Legionella, it is crucial to maintain a clean and hygienic shower system. This includes regular cleaning, descaling, and disinfection of shower heads and hoses. image: https://sms-environmental.co.uk/hubfs/article-keeping-your-shower-head-hose-and-disinfection-clean-1.png --- ![HOW TO: KEEP YOUR SHOWER HEAD, HOSE, AND DISINFECTION CLEAN](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/hubfs/article-keeping-your-shower-head-hose-and-disinfection-clean-1.png) # HOW TO: KEEP YOUR SHOWER HEAD, HOSE, AND DISINFECTION CLEAN - [Home](https://sms-environmental.co.uk) - [SMS NEWS AND EVENTS](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events) - HOW TO: KEEP YOUR SHOWER HEAD, HOSE, AND DISINFECTION CLEAN [ MEDIA TEAM ](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/author/media-team) 02/16/2022 [ Legionella](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella), [ water system cleaning and descaling](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/water-system-cleaning-and-descaling), [ showerheads](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/showerheads), [ Legionairres Disease](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionairres-disease) # **KEEPING YOUR SHOWER HEAD, HOSE, AND DISINFECTION CLEAN** **![article-keeping-your-shower-head-hose-and-disinfection-clean-1](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/article-keeping-your-shower-head-hose-and-disinfection-clean-1.png?width=2000&height=1000&name=article-keeping-your-shower-head-hose-and-disinfection-clean-1.png)** **[Legionella](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legionella) bacteria is a dangerous microorganism that can thrive in warm, stagnant water and cause [Legionnaires' disease](https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/index.html#:~:text=What%20is%20Legionnaires'%20disease%3F,containing%20Legionella%20into%20the%20lungs.). This serious illness can be contracted through the inhalation of water droplets, such as those generated by shower heads. In order to prevent the growth and spread of Legionella, it is crucial to maintain a clean and hygienic shower system. This includes regular cleaning, descaling, and disinfection of shower heads and hoses.** The [Approved Code of Practice](https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l8.htm) (ACoP) L8 is a set of guidelines for controlling the risk of Legionnaires' disease from water systems. According to ACoP, showers must be regularly cleaned, descaled, and disinfected in order to control the risk of Legionella growth and spread. Limescale and minerals become food sources for bacteria if left unchecked. Thus, [preventing biofilm](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/services/water-services/water-hygiene-preventative-maintenance/) from forming and monitoring facilities constantly is crucial to prevent legionella from contaminating equipment and putting people at risk. Maintaining a clean shower head and hose means frequent maintenance to avoid diseases such as legionella. Technical guidance from the Health and Safety Executive states “Quarterly or as indicated by the rate of fouling or other risk factors, eg areas with high-risk patients" (2014). Keep your water systems up-to-date and compliant with government guidelines with a preventative plan from SMS Environmental.      ### Shower Head Cleaning: To comply with ACoP, shower heads must be cleaned regularly to remove any mineral deposits that may restrict water flow and create an environment conducive to Legionella growth. SMS Environmental has years of experience helping businesses maintain a safe and compliant environment.  ### Hose Descaling: Like shower heads, hoses can also develop mineral deposits that restrict water flow and create an environment favourable to Legionella growth. Descaling hoses is essential to maintain water flow and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. ACoP states “All systems require a risk assessment, however not all systems will require elaborate control measures.”(HSE, 2013) SMS Environmental's comprehensive [legionella risk assessment service](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/services/water-services/legionella-risk-assessment/) includes on-site assessments, risk assessments, and written reports with clear recommendations for improvement. ### Disinfection: Bacteria, mould, and mildew can thrive in moist environments like shower hoses and heads. Regular disinfection using a bleach solution or specialised disinfectant helps to kill these harmful microbes and prevent the growth of new ones. ACoP requires that showers be disinfected regularly to control the risk of Legionella growth and spread. Consistency and monitoring are so important when it comes to bacterial risks, SMS Environmental services are designed to give you peace of mind and protect your business from costly fines and legal issues.     As a result, maintaining a clean and hygienic shower system is essential for your health. Regular cleaning, descaling, and disinfection are key components of ACoP compliance and play a critical role in protecting public health. By taking the necessary steps to properly maintain shower heads and hoses, building owners and managers can ensure the safety of their water systems and avoid the risk of Legionnaires' disease. #### To learn more about water hygiene and shower maintenance or looking to book a consultation with us today. #### [PLEASE CALL 0800 138 21 21 OR  CLICK HERE.](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/about-us/contact-us/) --- #### Tags: [ Legionella](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella) [ water system cleaning and descaling](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/water-system-cleaning-and-descaling) [ showerheads](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/showerheads) [ Legionairres Disease](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionairres-disease) #### FOLLOW US - [Follow us on Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/how-to-keep-your-shower-head-hose-and-disinfection-clean&text=HOW%20TO:%20KEEP%20YOUR%20SHOWER%20HEAD,%20HOSE,%20AND%20DISINFECTION%20CLEAN) - [Follow us on Linkedin ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/how-to-keep-your-shower-head-hose-and-disinfection-clean) - [Follow us on Pinterest ](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/how-to-keep-your-shower-head-hose-and-disinfection-clean&text=HOW%20TO:%20KEEP%20YOUR%20SHOWER%20HEAD,%20HOSE,%20AND%20DISINFECTION%20CLEANdescription=KEEPING%20YOUR%20SHOWER%20HEAD,%20HOSE,%20AND%20DISINFECTION%20CLEAN&media=https://143783751.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/143783751/article-keeping-your-shower-head-hose-and-disinfection-clean-1.png) --- [#### SMS ENVIRONMENTAL CELEBRATES APPRENTICESHIP WEEK ##### Previous Post ](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/sms-environmental-celebrates-apprenticeship-week) [#### CONGRATULATIONS ADRIANNA DYMEK CHARTERED STATUS ##### Next Post ](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/congratulations-adrianna-dymek-chartered-status) ### Category - [Legionella (23)](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella) - [life at sms (20)](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/life-at-sms) - [SMS Environmental (13)](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/sms-environmental) - [covid-19 (12)](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/covid-19) - [SMS employees (11)](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/sms-employees) --- ## Related Posts It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. [ Legionella Control](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella-control), [ Legionella Compliance](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella-compliance), [ Legionella](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella), [ Legionella in summer](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella-in-summer), [ Legionairres Disease](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionairres-disease), [ Legionella Testing](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella-testing), [ Legionella Advice](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella-advice), [ Legionella Sampling](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella-sampling) [ MEDIA TEAM ](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/author/media-team) 19 August, 2025 #### [Legionella Control: Awareness for UK Facilities Managers](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/legionella-control-awareness-for-uk-facilities-managers) A recent Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City — traced to contaminated cooling towers… [Read More](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/legionella-control-awareness-for-uk-facilities-managers) [ Legionairres Disease](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionairres-disease) [ MEDIA TEAM ](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/author/media-team) 24 July, 2025 #### [Hosepipe Bans in the UK: What’s Happening and What You Need to Know](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/hosepipe-bans-in-the-uk-whats-happening-and-what-you-need-to-know) Millions of people across the UK are currently under hosepipe bans due to hot weather and water… [Read More](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/hosepipe-bans-in-the-uk-whats-happening-and-what-you-need-to-know) [ Legionairres Disease](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionairres-disease), [ Legionella Testing](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella-testing), [ legionella test](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella-test), [ legionella tests](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionella-tests), [ legionairres disease contraction](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionairres-disease-contraction), [ legionairres disease prevention](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/tag/legionairres-disease-prevention) [ MEDIA TEAM ](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/author/media-team) 08 December, 2020 #### [WHAT IS LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE?](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/what-is-legionnaires-disease) UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT OF LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE Legionnaires disease is… [Read More](https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/what-is-legionnaires-disease) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "MEDIA TEAM", "url" : "https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/author/media-team" }, "dateModified" : "2025-07-31T08:12:02.652Z", "datePublished" : "2022-02-16T11:37:00.000Z", "headline" : "HOW TO: KEEP YOUR SHOWER HEAD, HOSE, AND DISINFECTION CLEAN", "image" : [ "https://sms-environmental.co.uk/hubfs/article-keeping-your-shower-head-hose-and-disinfection-clean-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://sms-environmental.co.uk/news-events/how-to-keep-your-shower-head-hose-and-disinfection-clean", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://sms-environmental.co.uk/hubfs/sms-logo.png" } } } ```