Whether you prefer showering in the mornings or before bedtime, it’s safe to say this is one of the most relaxing times of the day. However, at some point, you’ll walk into the shower with soap and shampoo ready just for the water to not come out the way it should!

Shower heads are in direct contact with hard water, so getting clogged due to buildup is normal. When this happens, it’s time to clean your shower head. How? There are many methods, but you may want to try vinegar before resorting to harsh chemicals. Here are two ways to clean it!

How to clean your shower head without removing it

This method is perfect if there isn’t that much mineral or you don’t want to detach the fixture.

Step #1. Soak the shower head in vinegar

Get a plastic bag, half-fill it with vinegar, and secure it to the showerhead using twist ties or a rubber band. 

Let the shower head soak for several hours or overnight. The vinegar’s acidity will loosen up all the mineral deposits on the shower head, making it easy to remove them. 

Note: Keep in mind that if your shower head is coated in brass, gold, or nickel, vinegar may damage it. Soak this type of shower head for 30 minutes only.

Step #2. Rinse the fixture

Now that the minerals have loosened up, we need to rinse off the vinegar. Untie and remove the plastic bag and simply run hot water for a few minutes to flush any remaining mineral deposits. 

Step #3. Descale the shower head

The limescale buildup on shower heads that have not been cleaned in a long time may be harder to remove. For these cases, you can use a soft brush or even an old toothbrush to scrub off any leftover residue. Finish by drying with a microfiber cloth.

How to deep clean a shower head

If the mineral buildup is too stubborn, you can remove the shower head and give it a more thorough cleaning.

Step #1 Dip the showerhead in vinegar

Carefully place a towel around the fixture and use a wrench to detach it. Place the shower head in a small bowl and fill it with enough vinegar to cover it entirely. You may leave the fixture overnight as long as it’s not made of brass, gold, or nickel. Otherwise, at least 30 minutes is ok.

Step #2 Empty the bowl and rinse the shower head using warm water

Take the shower head out of the bowl and run hot water for a few minutes to flush any remaining mineral deposits. Additionally, pouring the used vinegar into the shower drain can prevent clogging as it will also loosen up any mineral deposits in it.

Step #3 Descale the shower head

Scrub the fixture to ensure no limescale is left behind. If you want to be more precise, you can use a toothpick or safety pin to poke out any remaining mineral deposits.

Step #4. Reattach and rinse once more

All that’s left to do is reattach your shower head. Once it has been reinstalled, run hot water for a few minutes to remove the mineral deposit residue and any remaining vinegar.

And you’re done! Your shower head is now clean and descaled.

Let the pros handle your cleaning needs!

Hopefully, your fixture is good as new. However, it will need maintenance, and you might not have the time for it. The easiest way to ensure your shower heads are clean and disinfected is to let an expert handle the task for you. Check our home page for scheduling information!