How to clean a shower head with vinegar
To clean a shower head, fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, tie it around the head so the nozzles sit in the vinegar, and leave it for at least an hour. Take the bag off, run hot water for a minute, and scrub each nozzle with an old toothbrush. If the spray is still weak, take the head off and soak it in a bowl.
That white crust on the nozzles is mineral buildup from the water. Vinegar is an acid, and it dissolves it.
What do you need?
- White vinegar
- A sturdy plastic bag and a rubber band or twist tie
- An old toothbrush
- A toothpick or a straight pin for blocked nozzles
- A microfiber cloth
- For taking it off: an adjustable wrench, a rag to wrap the nut, and plumber's tape
Before you start: check the finish
Brass, gold-tone, oil-rubbed bronze and some nickel finishes can be damaged by a long acid soak. For those, keep the soak to about 30 minutes, or use dish soap and warm water and a soft brush, and check the maker's care instructions.
How do you clean a shower head without removing it?
- Fill the bag. Pour in enough white vinegar to cover the face of the shower head.
- Tie it on. Slip the bag over the head and fasten it around the arm with a rubber band, so the nozzles sit in the vinegar.
- Wait. An hour for light buildup.
- Run the water. Take the bag off and run hot water for a minute to flush out what the vinegar loosened.
- Scrub. Brush the face with an old toothbrush. If you have rubber nozzles, rub each one with your thumb to push out the scale.
- Wipe. Dry the head and the arm with a microfiber cloth so new spots don't form.
How do you deep clean a shower head?
If the spray is still uneven after a bag soak, take it off.
- Unscrew it. Wrap the nut with a rag so the wrench doesn't scratch it, and turn it counterclockwise. Many heads come off by hand.
- Soak it. Set the head in a bowl of white vinegar for an hour, or a mix of warm water and dish soap for delicate finishes.
- Clear the nozzles. Poke any blocked ones with a toothpick or pin. Rinse the filter screen inside the neck if it has one.
- Rinse and refit. Rinse it well, wrap the threads of the shower arm with fresh plumber's tape, and screw it back on, hand-tight, plus a small turn with the wrench.
- Test it. Run the water and check for leaks at the joint.
If the arm or fitting is corroded or won't turn, stop and leave it for a plumber. Old pipes in older homes can crack with too much force.
How do you keep it clean?
- Wipe the face of the head when you clean the shower.
- Do a bag soak every month or two.
- Run the fan during and after showers.
The rest of the shower has its own guide: how to clean a shower properly. For the glass, see our post on limescale on shower glass.
Want help with the bathroom?
Book Deep Cleaning online. If the shower head is a priority, ask about it when you book and put it in your booking notes.
FAQ
How do you clean a shower head without removing it? Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, slip it over the shower head so the nozzles sit in the vinegar, and tie it on with a rubber band. Leave it an hour or longer, then take the bag off, run hot water for a minute and scrub the nozzles with an old toothbrush.
How long should a shower head soak in vinegar? An hour clears light buildup. For brass, gold-tone or nickel finishes, keep it to about 30 minutes, because long vinegar soaks can damage some finishes.
Why is my shower head spraying sideways? Mineral buildup is blocking some of the nozzles, so the water comes out of the ones that are still open. A vinegar soak and a scrub of each nozzle usually opens them back up.
How often should you clean a shower head? Wipe the face of it when you clean the shower each week and give it a vinegar soak every month or two. If your water leaves white spots on the glass and faucets, soak it monthly.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
