The bathroom is probably on everyone’s weekly cleaning to-do list, but even in our most often cleaned room, there are spots we sometimes overlook. If the water from your showerhead is shooting out in all directions, or your flow has become almost nonexistent, the holes in your showerhead are probably clogged with hard water minerals and soap residue.
Not to worry: Carolyn Forte, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, has a remedy — and you can do it without removing the showerhead.
What You'll Need:
- Scrubber sponge
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Plastic bag
- Twist tie or rubber band
1. Scrub the nozzles with a sponge and baking soda
Start by scrubbing as much of the dry debris from the holes as you can with a scrubber sponge, and follow up with a paste of baking soda and water. Baking soda's abrasive properties will help you wipe away debris stuck to your showerhead. Use the paste to scrub your showerhead, then run the shower on hot to wash it away before you move on to the next step.
Pro tip: Baking soda isn't strong enough to penetrate the holes in clogged nozzles or clean away any hard water stains
2. Try soaking it in a vinegar solution
If it's still not spraying straight, mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water (about 1/2 cup of each should be enough) and pour it into a plastic bag. Put the plastic bag around the showerhead so the holes are immersed in the liquid, and secure the bag to the shaft with a twist tie or rubber band. Allow it to soak for at least 15 to 20 minutes (up to an hour if you can).
Pro tip: Be careful soaking high-end finishes like polished brass and oiled bronze for more than an hour. You can also dip a brush in vinegar and scrub the clogged nozzles instead.
3. Finish by flushing the showerhead out with hot water
Remove the bag and wipe away loosened deposits. Run the shower on hot to flush out the hard water minerals still stuck in the showerhead holes, and you're all set!
Can I clean my showerhead without white vinegar?
If you prefer not to use white vinegar, you can make a DIY cleaner with apple cider vinegar—but it won't clean your showerhead as well and will cost you more. Don't use bleach, as it can damage the chrome finish of most showerheads.
Lauren is a senior editor at Hearst. She was previously the senior editor at WomansDay.com and the home editor at GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. Her book club, ramen, and jean jackets are a few of her favorite things.
