Is your shower head getting all gunked up? Whether it’s just a smidge or a full-on clog, blame it on the dry water residue. However, when your shower head starts acting up, don’t reach for the heavy-duty chemicals right away.
Let’s show your fixture some love and start with a more natural method instead. Check out these two effective ways to clean a shower head using vinegar.
The quick method to clean your shower head
If you’re only dealing with a tiny bit of mineral buildup (or don’t want to take the whole thing apart), this method is exactly what you need.
Step #1. Drench the shower head in vinegar
Grab a plastic bag, toss in some vinegar, and strap it onto the showerhead with twist ties or a trusty rubber band.
Let it chill for at least 12 hours. The vinegar’s got this acidity vibe that dances with the limescale, making those stubborn mineral deposits loosen up for an easy wipe-off.
Warning: If you have a brass, gold, or nickel shower head, go easy! Keep the soak under 30 minutes.
Step #2. Rinse the shower head under the faucet
After time’s up, the minerals will loosen up, and you can untie the plastic bag to pour the vinegar down the drain.
Give the shower head a good rinse to wash the residue away by pouring some warm water over it. For any clogged holes, let hot water flow through them for a couple of minutes to flush out any lingering mineral bits.
Step #3. Scrub off the limescale
Banish those last bits of limescale sticking onto your showerhead using a soft brush or an old toothbrush—focus on those nooks and crannies to get the residue out. Cap it off with a dry rub using a clean cloth to stop any water leftovers from pulling a limescale encore.
How to deep clean your shower head
If the mineral buildup is too much, too stuck, or is impeding the water flow to the point you can’t shower properly, it’s time to roll up your sleeves.
Step #1. Unscrew the shower head
Wrap a cloth around the shower head nut (to avoid any dents) and use a wrench to loosen it up. Once it’s free, handle the fixture with care, as there could be smaller parts inside.
Step #2. Bath the fixture in vinegar
Time to break down that buildup. Dive your shower head into a bowl filled with vinegar for at least twelve hours—up to a whole day, depending on the level of the limescale. Also, don’t forget any parts that were inside the fixture, and soak them, too!
Warning: Don’t soak for more than 30 minutes brass, gold, nickel, and chrome-plated shower heads.
Step #3. Descale the shower head
Once the wait is over, pull your fixture out of the vinegar bath and let a strong burst of warm water run through your upside-down shower head, shaking off those stubborn minerals.
Now, grab an old toothbrush and give your shower head and all its little parts a good scrub—be gentle with the small parts, as they can be delicate. To unclog the water holes, bring in a toothpick or safety pin to nudge out any lingering mineral bits.
Step #4. Rinse and reassemble the fixture
Clean off lingering limescale bits by filling a bowl with warm water and shaking the shower head while submerged in it. Then, you can screw it back, tighten it up, and run hot water for a few minutes to bid farewell to any mineral residue inside the holes—oh, and don’t forget to dry it!
Discover more tips for a spotless house!
Cleaning your shower head is far from the only chore we can help you with. We have many tips, knowledge, and advice to share with you to make your daily cleaning a lot easier! From how to clean sticky floors to the benefits of a clean house, you’ll find everything you need in our blog!