Waking up to a weak, sputtering shower can be a frustrating start to your day. Over time, mineral deposits, limescale, and other build-ups can clog your shower head, reducing water pressure and affecting its performance.
Thankfully, cleaning your shower head is a simple task that can restore your shower to its former glory.
In this guide, we explain how to clean a shower head using household items like vinegar and lemon juice to ensure it remains in top shape.
Before diving into the cleaning process, it’s important to assess the situation:
Cleaning your shower head regularly is a good idea to maintain optimal performance and water pressure. For households with hard water, consider cleaning your shower head every month.
For areas with softer water, a deep clean every few months should be enough.
Start by filling a heavy-duty plastic bag with white distilled vinegar. You’ll need enough vinegar to submerge the shower head completely.
If your shower head is detachable, remove it from the shower arm. This makes the cleaning process easier and more effective.
If you have a fixed shower head, don’t worry! Just skip this step.
Carefully place the plastic bag filled with vinegar over the shower head, ensuring that it is completely submerged in the vinegar.
Use an elastic band to secure the bag to the shower head. Make sure it’s tight enough to hold the bag in place without spilling the vinegar.
Let the shower head soak in the vinegar for at least a few hours. For best results, leave it overnight.
The vinegar will work to dissolve the mineral deposits and limescale build-up.
Carefully remove the plastic bag from the shower head and dispose of the vinegar.
Turn on the shower and run warm water through the shower head for a few minutes.
This helps flush out any remaining limescale and vinegar.
Use a paper clip or toothpick to unclog any remaining blockages in the nozzles gently. Be careful not to scratch or damage the shower head.
Wipe down the shower head with a soft cloth to remove any lingering debris and give it a nice shine.
If you don't have any distilled white vinegar on hand, you can substitute it for lemon juice and water.
Lemon juice contains acids that will help dissolve mineral deposits. Follow the same directions for lemon juice as you would for vinegar.
If you don't want to wait for the shower head to soak, you can clean it using a paste made from lemon juice, baking soda, and salt.
Mix lemon juice, baking soda, and a pinch of salt to create a paste. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the shower head with the paste, paying particular attention to the nozzles and other areas with build-up.
Turn on the shower and run hot water through the shower head for a few minutes to flush out any loosened deposits and paste.
Rinse the shower head thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining lemon paste. Wipe it down with a soft cloth for a polished finish.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may encounter issues that require professional assistance. If your shower head is still not working properly after a thorough cleaning, or if you notice more significant issues like persistent low water pressure or leaks, it’s time to call in the experts.
JustFix makes it easy to book a trusted plumber who can diagnose and fix the problem efficiently.
Our teams of Fixers work nationwide to provide you with professionals for fair, fixed prices. When you book online with us, we'll match you with a qualified plumber who can check your shower at a time that suits you.
Schedule your service today and get your shower back to peak performance!