How to Clean a Heavily Clogged Up Shower Head

Last Updated: April 26, 2022 References

Mineral deposits are the scourge of water fixtures, and eventually faucets and shower heads will succumb. Cleaning your clogged shower head is easy, but the process may take an overnight soaking.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Soaking in Vinegar

1
Understand why the clogging has happened. Mineral deposits in hard water collect in the fine mesh and holes of the shower head's screening material and disk, disrupting water flow. This usually consists of hardened lime and particulate matter.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Hard water can also leave pinkish, yellow, or orange stains in your shower.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Andrii Gurskyi
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 11 April 2019.}
- If you suspect that you have a hard water problem, call a plumber to get your water tested.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Andrii Gurskyi
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 11 April 2019.}
2
Unscrew the swivel ball nut that holds the shower head to the mounting collar. Then remove it. The internal parts will come apart easily, but getting the shower head off the pipe may require a wrench.^{[4]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Before you disassemble the shower head, make a note of how it went together. This will let you know how to reassemble it once the parts have been cleaned. The washer will seat with a specific orientation, so be sure to note which way it was turned. Draw a diagram of the parts and where they go, to ensure you don't forget (take a digital photo of this diagram and you'll always be able to find it for each subsequent clean).^{[5]
X
Research source}
4
Completely immerse the disassembled parts in white vinegar or a lime cleaning solution. If you see a large buildup of lime, heat the vinegar in the microwave beforehand until it's hot to the touch. The cleaning process will probably take five or six hours, so plan on performing the repair when the shower won't be needed. Most of the lime will dissolve in the vinegar.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Fabricio Ferraz
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.} But there may be residue caught in the screen's mesh, embedded in the threads, and in the small holes around the disk.^{[7]
X
Research source}
5
If, after soaking, you discover that some areas still need some attention, scrub stubborn deposits with a small wire brush or the straightened end of a paper clip. Soak the parts again for a few minutes and rinse.
6
Use the diagram to reassemble the shower head. Apply silicone grease to the threads. Turn the water on and inspect for leaks. In order to keep the shower head flowing freely, plan on making this a yearly chore. This procedure will also work on faucets, toilets, and your refrigerator's water dispenser. If you can't immerse an object in vinegar, saturate a cloth and wrap it around the area you want to clean.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Boiling in Vinegar

1
Remove the shower head from the shower hose. In those cases where it can be easily disassembled, the shower head can be removed from the construction together with the hose. (Refer to the removal process outlined in Method 1 above for more details.)^{[8]
X
Research source}
2
Fill a large pan with half-in-half water and vinegar mixture. For very stubborn cases, you can add more vinegar later.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Vinegar is a nice, eco-friendly option for cleaning.^{[10]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Andrii Gurskyi
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 11 April 2019.}
3
Bring the mixture to the boil and immerse the shower head. Make sure all the parts with mineral deposits are fully immersed.^{[11]
X
Research source}
4
Boil 10-15 minutes. For stubborn cases you may have to boil the shower head longer, however as far as plastic parts are concerned, it is better to add more vinegar and boil no more than 20 minutes, or take out the shower head to cool down every now and then.^{[12]
X
Research source}
5
Rinse the shower head with tepid water and re-assemble.
6
Clean on a regular basis. You can scrub it with an old toothbrush every day.^{[13]
X
Expert Source

Fabricio Ferraz
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.}
- Alternatively, you can use an inexpensive green product like Method Daily Shower to clean the showerhead daily.^{[14]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Fabricio Ferraz
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.}

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Question

How often should I clean my shower head?

Fabricio Ferraz
House Cleaning Professional
Fabricio Ferraz is the Co-Owner and Operator of Hire a Cleaning. Hire a Cleaning is a family owned and operated business that has been serving San Francisco, California homes for over 10 years.

Fabricio Ferraz

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Your shower head is something you should clean every single day. It's important that it's really clean since you're using it daily.
Question

What should I use to routinely clean my shower head?

Fabricio Ferraz
House Cleaning Professional
Fabricio Ferraz is the Co-Owner and Operator of Hire a Cleaning. Hire a Cleaning is a family owned and operated business that has been serving San Francisco, California homes for over 10 years.

Fabricio Ferraz

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

One product you can use is Method Daily Shower Spray. It's affordable, free of chemicals, and a green product.
Question

I tried to clear my shower head with vinegar but only about 20% of the small holes where cleared. Is there a way to clear them all?

Community Answer

This is unlikely, as the tiny rubber holes have probably worn out because of hot water or too much water. Replace the head with a new one, which you can pick up at almost any large supermarket or hardware store.