How to Clean Your Shower Head and Why It’s Important

Photo of author

By StevenGadson

The shower head is one the most neglected and hard-working parts of your home. Although it is probably the most tedious household task, we will show you how to clean your Shower Head with just a few simple ingredients.

Must Read: the best way to plan a destination wedding ceremony

It’s responsible for spraying warm, soothing water over your body every morning. However, shower heads that are dirty can be clogged with bacteria and minerals that could pose a risk to your health. A study by the American Society for Microbiology found that nearly 200 bacteria species can live in shower heads and create a harmful biofilm. Although most of these bacteria can be considered harmless, it is not always true.

Your shower head might not be spraying as well as it used to if you have high levels of minerals like calcium, magnesium, silica and lime. The tiny spray holes could have become blocked, causing water to flow in a random direction or not at all. These problems can be avoided by cleaning your showerhead.

5 Steps to clean your showerhead

Shower heads are easy to remove for cleaning. This will make it easier to clean the filter screen and get rid of any debris. These steps will ensure that your shower head is clean all year.

Never Miss: plant pollination encouraging bees for your backyard

Step 1: Take the unit out

This is usually as easy as turning counterclockwise and wrapping a cloth around the connecting nuts. Use even pressure but don’t overdo it. For exact instructions on how safely to remove your showerhead, check the manufacturer’s site.

Step 2: Remove the filter screen

It is located near the place where the head unit screws onto a shower pipe. It looks like a metal mesh disk within a rubber gasket. It is there to trap larger particles and stop leaks. It is possible to see it on the manufacturer’s website. To remove it, you may need to use a pair or tweezers or needle-nosed scissors. After removing the item, scrub it with a toothbrush and rinse it off.

Step 3: Let it soak

In a medium bowl, combine five cups of white vinegar and place the shower head in the vinegar. Make sure that the nozzles are fully covered with vinegar. Allow to sit for at least an hour.

Step 4: Scrub it with a towel and a wipe

After you have removed the mineral deposits, scrub your shower head with a toothbrush. You should see the deposits fall off quickly. Clear clogged nozzles using a paperclip if necessary. To disinfect the whole unit, rinse it under warm water. To restore the luster of your showerhead, wipe it with a soft cloth.

Step 5: Reattach your shower head

The filter screen should be reinstalled at the original location. Next, thread the showerhead onto the pipe. Don’t over-rotate or break the threads as this can cause leaks. Twist clockwise until finger tight. Turn on the water, and make sure that no water is dripping or spraying from the connection bolt. To stop it from dripping, twist the wrench gently over a thin cloth.

Do you have a fixed showerhead? Here are some tips:

Step 1: Fill a bag with vinegar

You will need a bag sturdy enough to fit over the shower head. Fill it with approximately two cups of white vinegar.

Step 2: Attach your bag to the showerhead

Bring the bag to your showerhead and then pull it around until all of it is covered. Use a zip tie to secure the bag around your shower pipe.

Step 3: Let it soak

This can be left in place for at least an hour.

Step 4: Rinse

To remove mineral deposits from the interior of your showerhead nozzles, take out the bag and let hotwater blast through it.

Most Popular: produce a micro climate garden to boost harvest

Step 5: Rinse and scrub again

Use a small brush to scrub the face of your unit. Repeat the process until you are satisfied with the results. Use a bathroom cleaner to clean the head and then polish it with a soft cloth.

You will need products and tools to clean your showerhead

White distilled vinegar is a time-tested product that dissolves hard water deposits and bacteria from shower heads.

Small brush: A small brush made with stiff bristles and soft bristles can remove difficult-to-reach particles but will not scratch surfaces.

Soft microfiber cloth: Use microfiber cleaning cloths to polish the shower head.

Plastic sandwich bags: Use plastic bags that are easy to carry and can withstand a long soak with vinegar.

Surface cleaner: Use gentle spray cleaners that are made from plant-based ingredients such as lactic acid or lemon peel oil. These cleaners can safely remove hard water stains from your showerhead and restore its luster.

Also Read: tips on how to save money while living in south korea

You don’t need to use chemicals. Here are some natural ways to clean your showerhead.

To create carbonic acid from stubborn mineral deposits, add one teaspoon of baking soda. The vinegar will bubble up and entertain you for a while, but not too much as it can block the nozzles. To increase the antimicrobial activity of natural vinegar, you can add some tea tree, lavender or rosemary essential oils.