How to Clean a Showerhead

Have you ever looked up at your shower head and noticed a bunch of the nozzles aren't working? I (Steph) installed a new shower head in 2013 when I moved into my house, and haven't thought about it since. Over time I have noticed the water seemed to be coming out harder and was spraying in different directions. It also didn't have the 'rain' effect it once did. I decided it was time to try to clean it!

Watch the video

how to clean a showerhead, bathroom ideas, cleaning tips, how to, plumbing

You can see many of the nozzles where not spraying water anymore.

I started by mixing a cup of vinegar with 1/3 cup baking soda. The acid in the vinegar reacts with the baking soda to form a strong cleaning agent but vinegar on it’s own would work too.

The reaction between vinegar and baking soda is always fun to watch!

Once they were mixed, I placed the bag over the shower head and attached it with rubber bands. I made sure the mixture came in contact with all the nozzles.

After letting it sit a full day, I removed the bag.

Lastly, I noticed there were still mineral deposits in some of the nozzles so I used a toothpick to clean them out.

As you can see, before, about half the nozzles were working and now all the nozzles are back to working! I could tell a huge difference when I used the shower after cleaning. The water comes out in a rain pattern like when it was new, and it’s a much better experience than it has been. Pretty cool what a little bit of cleaning can do!

For a few more tips on this project visit MotherDaughterProjects.com!

Resources for this project:

Member's Mark Distilled White Vinegar Jug, 1 gal

Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, 8 Ounce...

Zip lock bags

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San A Bt
on Mar 18, 2017
What kind of vinegar, cider or distilled?
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  Becky Lopez
  on Feb 4, 2018
  Another thing to know when purchasing vinegar, there is added sales tax on cleaning vinegar but not on food vinegar. Good to know if you are a penny pincher like me!
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Moni
on Jan 24, 2018
Will this work on a rubber/hard plastic showerhead?
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  Vicky Corey
  on Jan 29, 2018
  Yes it will. I use it on mine and it's hard plastic.
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Amelia
on Jan 24, 2018
Can this method be used on gold finished shower heads? I don't know what the actual metal is but the finish looks gold
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  Mother Daughter Projects
  on Jan 24, 2018
  I don't know if it would harm it. I would check with the manufacturer of your shower head to see what they recommend.
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Kay
on Jan 26, 2018
BIi Carb of Soada, as it is called, is @ non harsh natural abrasive! It can be used by it's self, or with Viniger. It's not only used for cleaning, it's used for other things as well ie. Renooving stains from carpets, fabricks, clothes, mattresses, deodorises and absorbs oders in fridges, helps renoove mold and mildrew, to name a few. I use Bi Card of Soad @ lot, as did my mum. It is inexpensive, plus very effective, and safe to use on allmost anything! You can even whiten teeth useing it! Hope this clears up amy misconceptions about Bi Carb of soada. Have a nice day everyone Kay Adelaide Australia
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Shab Miso
on Jun 25, 2018
Better lemon salt and the material is really good for cleaning any tartar
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