How to Clean Your Showerhead

There are certain items around the home that it is easy to assume never need to be cleaned. A showerhead is often one of those fixtures used daily but rarely cleaned. After all, with water passing through the showerhead and nothing else coming into contact with the showerhead, it is easy to assume that the fixture will always remain clean.

While showerheads don't need the same type of continual cleaning that a bathroom floor or sink might need, they do need attention from time to time. In this guide, homeowners can discover why showerheads deserve their own time in the cleaning spotlight and practical tips for cleaning showerheads with ease. Readers can also discover signs that it's time to let a showerhead retire.

Why Showerheads Should Be Cleaned

While showerheads remain relatively clean on their own, over time, a few things can happen that necessitate cleaning.

For starters, for homeowners with water with a high mineral content, showerheads can begin to accumulate a build-up. This is particularly true for hard water, which is usually high in calcium and magnesium. With each use, a little more of the minerals from the water are left behind. These minerals can harden, clogging up the holes in a showerhead. Usually, a sign that a showerhead has this issue is when the water pressure from the showerhead seems to be slowly decreasing. As holes clog up with mineral build-up, water can no longer escape at the same pressure rate.

The second issue that might make cleaning a showerhead necessary is the growth of mold or mildew. In humid climates, the leftover water on a showerhead will not evaporate. Instead, the showerhead will remain damp between uses. This can allow for the rapid growth of mold and mildew. Usually, this issue is spotted visually. The showerhead will develop a dark color around the jet holes, and mold or mildew will be visibly present across the entire fixture head.

Cleaning showerheads helps solve all these problems. With a deep cleaning, a showerhead that has lost pressure or grown mold and mildew can be restored to like new.

Step-by-Step Guide for Deep Cleaning a Showerhead

When a showerhead has accumulated a large amount of mineral build-up, mold, or mildew, it is time to give the fixture a deep clean. Deep cleaning a showerhead is relatively simple and can be done using common household items.

First, gather the following supplies:

• ¼ to ½ a cup of baking soda
• 2-4 cups of white vinegar
• A cup of water
• A gallon-size freezer bag
• A rubber band or zip tie
• A wrench
• A bucket
• A toothbrush

With items gathered, the following step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of cleaning a showerhead:

1. Place the gallon-size freezer bag into the bucket.
2. With the bag open, pour in the baking soda.
3. Slowly add the vinegar, pouring gently into the bag. The vinegar and baking soda will combine and foam, making it important to add the vinegar at a slow pace.
4. Next, pour approximately one cup of water into the mixture. Adjust the levels of vinegar and water based on how large the showerhead that will be cleaned is. The showerhead will be placed in the bag, which will displace a lot of the liquid. For larger showerheads, use less mixture. For smaller showerheads, use more.
5. If possible, remove the showerhead from the wall using a wrench. With the showerhead removed, place the showerhead into the vinegar, baking soda, and water mixture. Secure the bag into place using rubber bands or zip ties. If the showerhead is not easy to remove, lift the bag over the showerhead and secure it with ample rubber bands or zip ties to hold the bag in place. Lessen the amount of mixture in the bag if the bag is too heavy to be held up.
6. Allow the showerhead to soak in the mixture for two to four hours. For particularly dirty showerheads, leave the fixture to soak overnight.
7. Remove the bag from the showerhead and pour the mixture down the shower drain. This mixture will also help clear out the shower drain.
8. Turn on the showerhead to rinse out the jets.
9. Using a toothbrush, scrub each showerhead hole, removing any remaining grime.
10. Wipe down the showerhead with a soft cloth. Test the water pressure and notice if any holes are still clogged. In most cases, water pressure will be restored, and any mineral, mold, or mildew build-up will be removed.

Tips for Routine Showerhead Cleaning

In addition to a deep soak of a showerhead, it is important for homeowners to routinely clean their showerheads on a weekly basis. This will help prevent difficult to remove grime from building up.

The following are all methods for keeping up with showerhead cleaning:

• Add one part white vinegar and one part water to a spray bottle. Spray the showerhead down thoroughly once a week.
• Use a toothbrush to apply a paste of water and baking soda. Gently scrub the showerhead and rinse with warm water.
• Wipe down the showerhead after use. Removing leftover water will prevent the growth of mold and mildew and can reduce the amount of mineral content left behind.
• Polish the showerhead using a window cleaner or vinegar solution. Gently rub the finish to clear off any water residue.

Signs It Is Time to Replace the Showerhead

While routine cleaning of a showerhead can often extend the life of the fixture, there are times when replacing the showerhead is the better choice. For homeowners who aren't sure whether their showerhead is redeemable, the following are good indications that it is time to swap out an old fixture for something new:

• The showerhead holes are clogged permanently. In some cases, a soak in vinegar and baking soda won't be enough to remove grime that has hardened inside of a showerhead's jets. In this case, it might be time to swap out the showerhead with a new fixture that will allow ample water pressure to pass through.
• The showerhead is rusted. Once a showerhead begins to rust, it can be difficult to ever restore the showerhead to its former beauty. As rust spreads, it can also cause the showerhead to leak or perform poorly. Rust is a good sign that a replacement is in order.
• The showerhead continually leaks. Cleaning a showerhead can help with a lot of issues. However, if a showerhead has worn gaskets or seals, it might continue to leak no matter what cleaning is performed. In this case, a new showerhead will help reduce the amount of water wasted.
• The showerhead finish is damaged. Polishing a showerhead can only do so much good. If a showerhead's finish has worn down, chipped, peeled, or faded, it might be time to purchase a new fixture.

Shop Showerheads at Kingston Brass

For homeowners looking to upgrade their showerheads, Kingston Brass offers a quality selection of fixtures from which to choose. Pick out a sleek and modern rain showerhead, or choose a traditional and elegant showerhead. There are countless options designed for any style preference. Shop today and discover the beauty a new showerhead can deliver to any bathroom.