How To Clean A Shower Head To Ensure It’s Hygienic And Functional

It’s super easy to get a squeaky clean & fully functioning shower head. If you’re looking for ways to disinfect your showerhead, worry no more with our showerhead cleaning tips as well as step-by-step instructions that can guarantee that your bathroom is clean and germ free.

1. Rub the Flexible Rubber Nozzles

Many shower heads come with flexible rubber nozzles. If yours does, simply massage each nozzle to remove mineral deposits that are blocking the tiny holes. Also, you can use a toothbrush to scrub the nozzles with a toothbrush to remove the mineral buildup. The downside is that this doesn't really work if the slime buildup is quite a lot, especially between deep cleans.

2. Soak the Shower Head In Vinegar

One of the most commonly used ways to clean the shower head is soaking it with white vinegar. This natural and acidic cleaner dissolves mineral deposits and hard water stains. It is also non toxic and inexpensive.

The soaking method can be done in two ways. Let us first look at each method below first when the shower head is still attached to the shower and when the head is removed.

i). Without Removing the Shower Head

Getting mineral buildup off the surface of the shower head without having to remove the shower head from the pipe. You’re going to need white vinegar, a rubber band and plastic bag to do this.

Steps:

1. Proceed to pour white vinegar into another plastic bag but make sure you don’t spill it to its fullest.
2. Put the plastic bag over the shower head with vinegar until the entire shower head is soaked in vinegar. If necessary, the proportion of vinegar may be altered.
3. Secure the bag tight to the shower arm by using a rubber band string or tape must be applied to hold it.
4. Allow the shower head to sit for hours or even better leave it the entire night. However, when it comes to nickel-coated gold or brass showers Heads they should be removed after 30 minutes to avoid harming the face.
5. Take off the bag off the shower head then pour the vinegar on the shower drain opening.
6. Some people recommend running hot water in the shower head to get rid of remaining mineral deposits and vinegar.
7. If there is still buildup, use the small holes to clean it with an old toothbrush and then turn on hot water to to remove remaining particles. Shake the formula until you get the kind of foam you are willing to use, repeat the process as often as you want.
8. Also, wash the shower head with a soft cloth and give it some new, finished look.

ii). Removing the Shower Head

Removing the shower head allows you to do a more deep and thorough cleaning.

Steps:

1. Use a wrench to detach the shower head from the shower arm, not pliers. Do this gently so as not to ruin the finish of the fixture that may be installed.
2. In the case of the shower head let it soak in white vinegar for some few hours or even overnight.
3. After that, twist the shower head back to the arm to wash the deposits remaining and the vinegar.

3. Remove and Scrub the Shower Head

A bathroom cleaning session is incomplete without scrubbing. The method to use is to remove the shower head to clean out the built up deposits and slime. Furthermore, it’s also easy to use this cleaning method to remove hard water stains in the shower head surface.

You may need an old toothbrush, a small scrubber, white vinegar, or all–purpose bathroom cleaner.

Steps:

1. Detach the shower head using a wrench. Pliers would not work because they could damage the finish. To clean a handheld shower head, unscrew it at the connection to the flexible hose.
2. To rinse out loosened build up or debris hold the shower head upside down and put it under the faucet. If you can still see some debris in the flexible rubber nozzles rub on them with your fingers or gently brush with a toothbrush. You also have the option of using the all purpose bathroom cleaner to dissolve the deposits or vinegar to avoid chemical agents.
3. If the tiny holes are still blocked, try to poke the deposits out with a needle, safety pin or toothpick.
4. Twist to dismantle the shower head. Look at the point where the water supply pipe is connected to the shower head and you should find the reference.
5. Unscrew the screen filter at the back of the shower head, and run the shower head underwater for several minutes, scrubbing by hand with a brush. It will also help to flush out any buildup and deposits.
6. If there are any left over limescale deposits, soak the parts in vinegar for a few hours or overnight to dissolve those. Also, if you add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the vinegar, you will have some extra cleaning power.
7. Remove, rinse then reassemble your shower head. Then wrap a few turns of plumbing tape onto the threads of the shower arm so that the head has good seal. Then you reattach the shower with a wrench. Also, you can do that with a soft cloth or a towel to keep the shower head from scratching.

Shower Head Cleaning Tips

It’s much easier to keep your shower head clean than to take it apart, scrub, and soak. Below are a few tips to make sure your bathroom stay clean, even your shower head.

1. DIY diluted vinegar shower cleaner in a spray bottle and use it daily after your shower. Doing this will assist in preventing buildup from hard water.
2. A shower head is susceptible to mineral buildup and will drip so it is worth replacing. If you have an old cracked shower head, it is the same.
3. Installing a  water softener  in your home will help trap minerals such as calcium, rust and lime if your home has hard water. No deposits will consequently stay on your shower mind.
4. Research, however, indicates that do not bleach for this cleaning because chlorine fosters growth of harmful bacteria.
5. If your shower head has a protective metal finish or chrome, do not use a hard bristled brush. It will stop scratch and scuff.
6. When working with a bathroom cleaner, create product fumes, be certain to ensure that there is proper ventilation. Commercial cleaning  product and vinegar could be used for this because people react differently to such fumes.

Conclusion

Cleaning your shower head regularly is vital to ensure you are getting the best pressure levels in your water and you are not getting germs and bacteria coming out of your shower head. Other than that, you can dissolve and dislodge limescale and deposits in your shower head by using easy to find ingredients like vinegar and baking soda found in your kitchen. So finally, with these easy tips above we have shared, keeping this part of your bathroom clean will be breeze.