If your showerhead is putting out little more than a sad dribble or spraying water every which way, it may be time to clean it. Many people think they need to replace their showerhead, but in many cases, all that's needed is a good clean. Experts at the Home Care and Cleaning Lab have shared the best way to clean a showerhead to restore that steady, continuous flow of water.
This is one of those cleaning tricks that can truly make a night-and-day difference. Luckily, cleaning your showerhead doesn't require any specialty products. All you need is baking soda and vinegar to get your shower spraying straight again.
Mineral buildup from hard water can clog the tiny holes in your showerhead over time, reducing water pressure and causing uneven spray patterns. Regular cleaning can help extend the life of your fixture and keep your shower feeling cleaner and more refreshing overall.
Below, our cleaning experts have a step-by-step guide on the best way to clean a showerhead. If you're looking for even more bathroom cleaning tricks, read up on this lazy shower cleaning hack that pros love, the best way to clean a glass shower door, and how to clean grout without scrubbing for hours.
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 quality will make it easier to wipe away debris that is stuck to the surface of your showerhead. Use the paste to scrub your showerhead and run the shower on hot to wash away the paste before you move on to the next step.
Pro tip: Baking soda isn't strong enough to penetrate the holes on 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 to clean your showerhead without white vinegar, you can make your DIY cleaner with apple cider vinegar — but it won't clean your showerhead as well and will cost you more. Don't try to use bleach as this 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.
