Learning how to clean a shower head and remove mineral deposits isn’t complicated, and if you have enough patience to let the solution soak, it doesn’t require much scrubbing, either. Once you unclog the shower head, you’ll be surprised how much more luxurious your shower feels. Follow the steps below to clean a shower head the right way—and you may be tempted to trade in your relaxing bath for a soothing shower.
How Often to Clean a Shower Head
If you’ve never cleaned the shower head or there is reduced water flow, it should be cleaned immediately. Set a regular reminder on your phone to clean the shower head thoroughly at least once every other month or more frequently if you live in an area with hard water. Regular cleaning will also help limit mold and bacteria growth inside the shower head.
What You’ll Need:
Distilled white vinegar or cleaning vinegarBaking sodaToothpick or paper clipPlumber’s tapeHeavy-duty plastic food storage bagRubber band or twist tiesCleaning clothDeep bowl or bucketOld toothbrushWrench or lockable pliersNeedle-nose pliers
How to Clean a Shower Head With Vinegar
If the shower head is removable, make cleaning even simpler by submerging the shower head in a bucket of distilled white vinegar. Follow the same cleaning steps after soaking and reattach the fixture.
How to Clean a Shower Head Without Vinegar
If you don’t have any distilled white vinegar on hand, you can substitute a soak in apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and water. Apple cider vinegar and lemon juice both contain acids that will help dissolve mineral deposits. Follow the same soaking and cleaning directions. If you don’t want to wait for the shower head to soak, give it a scrub with a toothbrush and a paste of baking soda or salt moistened with some lemon juice. After scrubbing, run hot water through the shower head. If possible, take the shower head apart so you can clean the interior and exterior of the fixture. Rinse well and reassemble the shower head. You can also use a commercial shower head descaler if these natural methods aren’t working. Follow the label directions carefully.
How to Clean the Filter Screen in a Shower Head
If the shower head is still sputtering after cleaning the fixture, it’s time to remove and disassemble the shower head and take a look at the filter screen.
How to Remove Mineral Deposits From a Shower Head
Using vinegar, lemon juice, or a commercial descaler and a bit of scrubbing action will remove mineral deposits and help unclog the shower head. The cleaners will also remove soap scum that may have accumulated on the exterior of the fixture. Follow the steps above to clear away mineral buildup on the nozzles. Be sure to dry and buff the fixture with a lint-free cloth to restore the shine. If the nozzles are so clogged that you’d prefer to replace them rather than clean them, look for silicone replacement shower head nozzles for your specific shower head.
Routine Cleaning Tips for Shower Heads
When you do your weekly cleaning of the shower, clean the shower head by spraying it with a solution of equal parts water and distilled white vinegar or a commercial cleaner. Scrub the nozzle openings with a toothbrush and run the shower for a few minutes to flush away any debris.
At the first sign of reduced water flow, do a thorough cleaning. The mineral deposits will only get worse.
To reduce mineral deposits and bacterial growth, consider installing an exterior shower head filter, like this one from AquaHome, between the shower head and the waterline.
Choose a metal shower head. Plastic shower heads are more susceptible to mold growth than metal fixtures.
Use the bathroom fan during and after bathing to remove humidity as quickly as possible to help reduce mold and mildew growth.
