CLEAN Your SHOWER HEAD! | 2-Minute Tutorials Ep. 7, by Handyman Hertz on YouTube. 2 min 46 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 46 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes plus 3 hours soakin
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Turn off the water and unscrew the shower head from the pipe by hand. If it is tight, grip the nut with an adjustable wrench and wrap the jaws in cloth so you do not scratch the finish.
Pour distilled white vinegar into a bowl deep enough to cover the whole shower head. Plain white vinegar works best because it dissolves limescale without leaving residue.
Fully immerse the shower head in the vinegar, face down, so the spray holes are covered. Leave it to soak for about three hours.
Lift the shower head out and check the holes. Poke any remaining blockages with a toothpick or scrub the face gently with a soft brush.
Rinse the shower head under running water to flush out loosened scale and vinegar.
Wipe the threads on the pipe and the shower head with a cloth, then screw the head back on by hand until snug.
Run the water and compare the spray to before. If the flow is still weak, repeat the soak for another hour.
Tips and common mistakes
Vinegar can dry out rubber O-rings over long soaks, so check the ring after cleaning and replace it if it feels stiff or cracked.
Do not use vinegar on unsealed brass or some stone finishes, as the acid can dull them.
Clean the shower head every few months if you live in a hard water area to stop scale building up again.
Do not overtighten the shower head when refitting it, or you may damage the threads or the seal.
Questions
Can I clean a shower head without removing it?
Yes. Fill a plastic bag with vinegar, tie it around the shower head and leave it soaking for a few hours. This works well for fixed heads that do not unscrew.
How often should I clean my shower head?
Every three to six months is enough for most homes. In hard water areas, do it more often, or whenever the spray starts to look uneven.
Will vinegar damage my shower head?
Distilled white vinegar is safe for most chrome and plastic heads over a few hours. Avoid long soaks on rubber parts and skip it on unsealed brass or natural stone.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
