Written by BATHROOM, How To

How To Clean A Shower Head

how to clean shower head

Clean shower heads are an absolute must for any good-looking bathroom, but they can quickly become a source of constant frustration. Not only can they make your bathroom smell disgusting, but they can also cause your skin to break out if they’re not cleaned properly.

A lot of people think about how to clean shower head. Showers are one of the most used household appliances around the globe. With millions of people using it every day, the showers are bound to get dirty.

But shower heads usually get clogged with limescale and other dirt after a while. This makes it harder to see your face when you take a shower. So let’s take a look at how to clean shower head.

Cleaning a Shower Head Without Removing It

1. Zip Up the Vinegar-Filled Bag

How to clean shower head with vinegar? You can easily find a bag of vinegar inside your kitchen cabinet. If you don’t have one, fill a plastic or cloth bag with apple cider vinegar. Then, pour a small vinegar into the showerhead to cover the entire body. Leave it to sit overnight.

2. Pour Vinegar Into the Showerhead

Now it’s time to pour the vinegar into the shower head. First, make sure that the bottle is completely emptied and that there is no leftover vinegar. You may use a funnel if it’s too hard to pour the vinegar into the shower head without spilling any. Pour the vinegar until it is almost complete.

3. Rins and Wash

The showerhead will need rinsing before you continue. Make sure that you rinse it off well. Then, you can turn on the hot water to its maximum temperature and run it until the water stream becomes weak and slow.

clean shower head
Photo Credit: Canva

Cleaning a Shower Head From the Inside Out

How to clean a clogged shower head? Showerhead removal may be necessary if vinegar alone cannot remove mineral deposits.

1. Turn off the Shower and remove the Head

An unscrewed nut on the shower arm will release the showerhead. Be cautious not to scratch the fixture’s surface. In this case, a wrench would be preferable over pliers. Protect your work surface from scratches by placing a cloth under your tool.

2. Spray Head with Water

Turning the showerhead inverted and placing it under a running water tap will shoot out at high pressure. The hole for the shower arm is where you should direct the water to remove the debris you’ve freed up. Try using an old brush dipped in vinegar for the stubborn mineral buildup to give the showerhead a good scrubbing.

Cleaning a Shower Head by Disassembling It

Remove any remaining residues with the use of a needle or paper clip. Removing calcium deposits can be removed by gently bending the nubbins of a showerhead made of flexible plastic.

1. Put in Vinegar Baths

To eliminate all traces of limescale:

  • Submerge the showerhead in a container of vinegar.
  • Immerse them in vinegar and a few teaspoons of sodium bicarbonate for a more thorough cleaning. This all-natural detergent will assist in unblocking obstructed airways.
  • Repeat the rinsing process.

2. Fix the Showerhead’s Fittings

Start by installing fresh piping tape over the shower arm’s bolts. Next, replace the showerhead on the arm by tightening the nut with the wrench. Finally, use gentle cloths or towels to prevent damage to the fixture’s surface.

Additional Advice on Cleaning the Showerhead

At the very least once a month, you should give your showerhead an excellent scrub to prevent the buildup of germs and to maintain a consistent flow of water. Using vinegar to wipe down surfaces should become a weekly ritual in the bathroom. There are a few more things to keep in mind while cleaning a showerhead:

1. Don’t Clean Showerheads with Bleach

If you want to clean your shower head, use mild soap and water, then scrub lightly with a nylon-tipped toothbrush or cleaning brush. Do not use harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia, as they may damage the components of your shower head. This is bad because bleach can leave residue, which is very hard to get out of a showerhead. It also can dry out plastic, which is highly fragile.

2. Use Caution While Handling Any Brush with Stiff Bristles

Do you know what happens when you use a stiff toothbrush to brush something? Well, that is exactly what will happen if you use a similar brush to clean your shower head. Remember the rubber bristles, too. The brush’s soft bristles will be too soft for a shower head’s rubber seal.

3. Always Make Sure You’re Working in a Room with Enough Ventilation

This is important because you don’t want steam to build up in your bathroom and potentially cause the plastic seals on your shower head to melt. Additionally, when you’re cleaning your shower head, you don’t want any water to splash back onto you, and the room will need ventilation so that your face isn’t exposed to water.

s cleaner for shower
Photo Credit: Canva

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you Remove Calcium Deposits from a Shower Head?

There are several methods to remove calcium deposits from a shower head. Using an acid cleaner is the most common method. Turn it on if your shower has a drain to ensure the water flows freely.

You may also have to turn the water on low to remove the deposit. To clean your shower head, use a spray bottle filled with vinegar. First, shake the bottle to get the vinegar mixed evenly. Next, spray the vinegar solution onto the head of the shower.

How long should you Soak your Shower Head in Vinegar?

Keep the head from soaking for more than 10 minutes; turn the shower off if possible. This can cause damage to the shower head. After soaking for a few minutes, rinse the head in clear water. Cleaning your shower head may seem like a hassle, but it will save you money on your next repair.

Does Vinegar and Baking Soda Clean Shower Head?

Yes. In addition to being safe and inexpensive, vinegar also contains a lot of natural cleaning power. But how does vinegar work? Vinegar is a combination of alcohol and acetic acid.

Acetic acid is the main ingredient that makes vinegar effective for cleaning the shower head. Baking soda is another substance that works with vinegar to clean your shower head.

How do I Deep Clean my Shower Head without Removing It?

You can use baking soda to clean your shower head and leave it in place for several hours. This will loosen dirt and grime inside the shower head. Then you can remove the old material from the shower head and re-install it. Once you’ve cleaned your shower head, let it air dry completely and spray some vinegar before re-installing.

How to Clean Shower Head Rubber Nozzles?

Take a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol and rub it around the nozzle. You can also use nail polish remover. If that doesn’t work, add a few drops of ammonia to the nail polish remover and use the nail polish remover on the nozzle. Then wash out the nail polish remover with warm water.

Conclusion

Showers are a luxury that we often take for granted. We turn the water on and walk away. However, cleaning a showerhead is a complex process, and most people need to take the time to learn how. Use the tips above to clean shower head effectively.

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