How To Clean A Showerhead and Why You Should

Ever looked up at your showerhead while you’re rinsing your hair? If you haven’t cleaned it lately, you got a face full of mineral buildup and possibly something worse. All that water coursing through it carries calcium and minerals, especially if you live in a hard water area, and those can build up in the nozzles.

That means your showerhead is the perfect breeding ground for not only mold but also legionella bacteria which can cause serious respiratory problems. Ready to clean yours now?

Steps to Deep Clean Your Showerhead

The steps below describe a thorough deep-cleaning process which involves removing your showerhead. If you don’t want to take your shower head off the pipe, you can attach a bag of vinegar to it with a rubber band, wait 30 minutes, then scrub away loosened residue. But the bag method doesn’t clean the buildup actually inside your showerhead like the steps below do.

Step 1: Remove it.

Unscrew your showerhead by hand or wrap it with a towel to protect the finish then use a wrench to unscrew it. Shake out any excess water once it’s off.

Step 2: Remove the filter screen.

Locate the filter screen at the end of the showerhead where it attaches to the pipe. Use tweezers to gently remove it, then rinse off any debris or sediment. Set it aside to dry.

Step 3: Apply baking soda.

Sprinkle baking soda all over the outside of your showerhead and into the opening to get it inside. Then gently scrub it with a damp toothbrush. Shake out the excess baking soda but don’t rinse it.

Step 4: Soak.

Put the showerhead in a deep bowl, nozzles facing down, and slowly add vinegar until the entire face of the showerhead is covered. Let it soak for 30 minutes while the fizzing reaction dislodges mineral and calcium buildup.

Step 5: Scrub and rinse.

Use the toothbrush to scrub the showerhead again, then rinse it with hot water inside and out. Repeat the vinegar soak if needed to remove stubborn limescale deposits.

Step 6. Reassemble.

Once your showerhead is clean, let it completely air dry then reinstall the filter screen. Wrap teflon plumber’s tape once or twice around the pipe threads, then reattach the showerhead. Turn on the water to check the seal and rinse the nozzles one final time.

How to Keep Your Shower Head Clean

A simple way to keep your shower head from developing buildup is to wipe it off with a towel or squeegee after bathing. This breaks any surface tension in water clinging to the nozzles and helps it fully drain, reducing mold, mildew and mineral buildup.

Then, you only need to deep clean your shower head once or twice a year. In humid environments you may need to do it more often if you see visible signs of pink or orange slime around the nozzles. In hard water areas, a gray, green, or white crust calls for immediate cleaning, too.