How To Clean Your Shower Head

It’s inevitable - your shower head will need cleaning at some point.

While it’s tempting to turn a blind eye and act like it’s not your problem, deep down, you know you can’t avoid it forever. Clogged or leaking showerheads are common, especially if hard water runs through them. After a while, the gunk and mineral deposits stuck inside to fill in the showerhead holes and reduce the pressure.

Not to mention the fact that microbes can grow on a clogged fixture. And if the showerhead isn’t clean, it defeats the whole point of showering. Luckily, there is an easy way out. It’s possible to clean a shower head without unscrewing any parts. Here’s how-

How To Clean Your Shower Head

Things You Will Need

• Baking Soda
• Vinegar (Apple Cider Vinegar)
• Large plastic bag
• Rubber bands
• Water

1. Check the Condition Of The Shower Head

Take a moment to inspect the fixture. Turn the water on and off to check which holes are affected the worse. This will help you understand how much work is required, and you can compare the before and after results later.

2. Prepare The Cleaning Mixture

This cleaning method will use all-natural ingredients from your local grocery store. First, take a jug and stuff a large plastic bag to keep the mouth open.

Then, add half a cup of baking soda to the bag, slowly pouring 3 to 4 cups of vinegar. Take care while pouring because the soda mixed with vinegar causes an effervescent reaction, creating foam and bubbles. So, the solution might spill out if you add all the distilled white vinegar.

Finally, the vinegar solution needs one cup of water to dilute the cleaning mixture. Also, don’t worry if your measurements are not exact, as long as you add an approximate amount of all the ingredients.

3. Dip The Shower Head In The Bag

Once the solution is ready, you need to dip the showerhead in the bag, making sure it faces downwards. All the holes must be entirely submerged in this cleaning solution. After the fixture is in the bag, use a rubber band to tie the bag tightly so that none of the liquid can leak out.

Adjust the cleaning solution amount depending on how big or small your shower head is, and secure the bag properly. Then, allow the shower head soak in the cleaning mixture for at least 6 hours or overnight.

4. Wipe The Shower Head Clean

After waiting, remove the bag and throw out the cleaning water. Take a look at the showerhead to check if the clogs have opened. Please turn it on and off too to check the water pressure. Usually, this solution works superbly to remove any mineral buildup and significantly reduces the water pressure.

Shower Head Cleaning Tips

1. Ventilation

When working with baking soda and vinegar, you can’t avoid the fumes that come with it. As a precaution, work in a well-ventilated room to prevent any adverse effects.

2. Avoid Cleaning With Bleach

This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but using bleach for cleaning shower heads is unnecessary. Bleach is a strong chemical and can burn hands and skin. You can also ruin your clothes if you’re not careful. So it would be best to avoid using bleach, primarily when the baking soda and vinegar cleaning mix works so well. We also advise the same with cleaning your shower drain.

Cleaning Your Shower Head

So, now there’s no need to spend on a new showerhead because it is clogged! This easy method will work wonders if a simple blockage is a problem. Follow this maintenance routine once in a while, and you’d be surprised how long the fixture will last.

Apart from improving the water pressure, you can relax knowing that the water you bathe in is clean and free of harmful bacteria. This is a great time to clean the rest of your bathroom to eliminate any other scum or mould that may be present. And we hope this guide helps you the next time you clean any showerhead. Please contact our friendly team for any shower-related plumbing issues in Melbourne.

Take care and see you next time!