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How do I clean a shower head?

🏠 Home & DIY · updated 8 weeks ago · 2 min read
How do I clean a shower head?
Short answerSoak the head in white vinegar for 30 minutes to an hour, then scrub and rinse — that dissolves the mineral buildup.

Unscrew the shower head from the arm if possible, or leave it attached and use a plastic bag. Either way, the fix is a vinegar soak: pour enough white vinegar into a bag or bowl to fully submerge the head, leave it for 30 minutes to an hour, then scrub the rubber nozzles with an old toothbrush and rinse.

The buildup you are removing is mostly calcium and magnesium deposits — what plumbers call limescale — that come out of hard water and clog the small spray holes. Vinegar is a mild acid that dissolves those deposits; baking soda paste works as a follow-up if there is stubborn residue. After scrubbing, run the shower for a minute to flush anything left in the lines.

You should do this whenever water pressure from the shower head noticeably drops, or roughly every six months in a hard-water area. If the head is very old or the plating is worn, the nozzles may stay clogged even after cleaning — that is the point where replacement is cheaper than fighting it.

Sources

Delta Faucet — How to Clean a Shower Head
Wirecutter — How to Clean a Showerhead

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