Showerhead spray nozzles can become clogged over time with mineral deposits found in tap water.

To clean a showerhead so it sprays uniformly:

  • Place a plastic bag filled with white distilled vinegar over the showerhead.
  • Attach a twist tie around the showerhead arm to hold the bag in place.
  • Allow the showerhead to soak in the vinegar for one to two days.
  • Remove the bag and turn the showerhead on full force.

If the nozzles are still clogged, repeat the soaking process until clear.

Watch the video above to find out more.


VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Joe Truini: If your shower is not spraying as forcefully as it used to, it’s probably because it’s clogged up with hard water deposits—this is very common. Not all the holes will be clogged, but little by little they become clogged, and you won’t be getting much water out. Here’s the fix.

Rather than removing it and replacing it, try this first. Get a plastic, wrap it around the showerhead, and then pour in about a cup or so of white distilled vinegar. The idea is we’re going to soak the showerhead in the vinegar, which acts as an acid—a very mild acid, but a pretty effective acid.

So you want to hold it up there, and we’re going to hold it— the bag—in place with just a twist tie. You could probably duct tape it, but the twist tie works just as well. We’re going to twist that around there so it hold nice and tight.

And again, it’s important that the showerhead—just like that—is soaking in the vinegar. And leave that at least a day—maybe even two full days—take it down and run the water full blast. And you’ll see it’ll start coming out a lot cleaner.

You may have to repeat this once or twice, maybe even three times, but it’ll save you the cost of replacing the showerhead.


Further Information


Editorial Contributors
avatar for Joe Truini

Joe Truini

Radio Show Co-Host

Joe Truini is a contractor, author, and the host of “Simple Solutions” on Today’s Homeowner TV and the weekly Today’s Homeowner radio show. He has worked on both large commercial projects and residential remodeling, and has written for national publications such as This Old House and Popular Mechanics. He has also written eight books, including three best-selling shed-building books. Joe lives in Connecticut with his family and enjoys hiking, traveling, and baseball in his spare time.

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