How To Clean Hard Water Clogged Shower Head

It's inevitable - your shower head is going to need cleaning at some point.

While it's tempting to turn a blind eye and act like it's not your problem, deep down, you know it can't be avoided forever. Clogged or leaking shower heads are a pretty common issue, especially if there is hard water running through them. After a while, the gunk fills in the shower head holes and reduces the pressure.

Not to mention the fact that microbes can grow on a clogged fixture. And if the showerhead isn't clean, it defeats the whole point of showering, doesn't it? Luckily, there is an easy way out. It's possible to clean the shower head without unscrewing any parts. Here's how-

How To Clean Your Shower Head

Cleaning Shower Head With Yellow Sponge

Things You Will Need

Baking Soda
Vinegar
Large plastic bag
Rubber bands
Water

1. Check Condition Of The Shower Head

Take a moment to inspect the fixture. Turn the water on and off to check which of the holes are affected the worse. This will help you get an idea of how much work is required, and you can compare the before and after results later.

2. Prepare The Cleaning Mixture

For this cleaning method, we will be using all-natural ingredients that can be found in your local grocery store. To begin, take a jug and stuff a large plastic bag in it so that the mouth remains open.

Then, add half a cup of baking soda to the bag, followed by pouring 3 to 4 cups of vinegar very slowly. Take care while pouring, because the soda mixed with vinegar causes an effervescent reaction, creating foam and bubbles. So, the solution might spill out if you add all the vinegar at once.

Finally, the solution needs one cup of water to dilute the cleaning mixture. Also, don't worry if your measurements are not exact, as long as you add an approximate amount of all the ingredients.

3. Dip The Shower Head In The Bag

Once the solution is ready, you need to dip the showerhead in the bag, making sure it faces downwards. All the holes must be submerged completely in this cleaning solution. After the fixture is in the bag, use rubber bands to tie the bag tightly so that none of the liquid can leak out.

Adjust the cleaning solution amount depending on how big or small your shower head is, and secure the bag properly. Then, allow the shower head to stay submerged in the cleaning mixture for at least 6 hours or overnight.

4. Wipe The Shower Head Clean

After the waiting period is over, remove the bag and throw out the cleaning water. Take a look at the shower head to check if the clogs have opened. Turn it on and off too so that you can check the water pressure. Usually, this solution works superbly to remove any build-up and significantly reduces the water pressure.

Shower Head Cleaning Tips

Testing Water From Clean Shower Head

1. Ventilation

When you are working with baking soda and vinegar, you can't avoid the fumes that come with it. As a precaution, work in a well-ventilated room to prevent any adverse effects.

2. Avoid Cleaning With Bleach

This isn't a hard and fast rule, but using bleach for cleaning shower heads is unnecessary. Bleach is a strong chemical and can burn hands and skin. You can also ruin clothes if you're not careful. So it would be best to avoid using bleach, especially when the baking soda and vinegar cleaning mix works so well.

Cleaning Your Shower Head

So, now there's no need to spend on a new shower head just because it is clogged! If a simple blockage is a problem, this easy method is going to work wonders. Just follow this maintenance routine once in a while, and you'd be surprised how long the fixture will last.

Apart from improving the water pressure, you can relax knowing that the water you bathe in is clean and free of bacteria. This is a great time to clean the rest of your bathroom, to get rid of any other scum or mould that may be present. And we hope this guide helps you the next time you clean any shower head.

Take care and see you next time!