Showerheads don’t need frequent clean-ups, but that doesn’t mean they never get dirty. These fixtures get stained with hard water and limescale from regular use.
If your showerhead has started to look less than stellar, one of these easy guides is sure to take care of your problem!
How to clean your showerhead without removing it
You’ve probably heard about the plastic bag trick. Well, it works! This method is perfect for you if you want to give your showerhead a routine clean-up. Here is a practical guide to show you how to do the plastic bag hack:
Step 1. Prepare the bag and vinegar
For this method, you’ll only need a sturdy plastic bag, a couple of rubber bands, and white vinegar. Before continuing, make sure no one needs to use the bath for the next few hours—the trick is simple, but it takes time.
When you are ready to begin, fill the bag with enough vinegar to cover the nozzle of your showerhead and place it over the fixture carefully. Then, attach the bag to the fixture arm, securing it with rubber bands or ribbon. If needed, you can adjust the level of vinegar.
Step 2. Let the showerhead soak
Now for the easiest part: leave the showerhead soaking for a few hours. Vinegar needs time to dissolve all the mineral deposits, so leaving the bag there for two or three hours is OK. You can take this time to cover a few other cleaning tasks, like washing the dishes or folding the laundry.
Warning! Some materials (like brass) can be damaged by prolonged exposure to vinegar. If you are not sure if it’s safe to wash your showerhead with vinegar, leave the bag for no more than 30 minutes.
Step 3. Rinse and scrub the showerhead
When the wait is over, remove the bag and pour the vinegar down the drain. Then, turn on the water for a few minutes—this will remove the loosened deposits from the fixture.
Then, grab a toothbrush and scrub the showerhead holes to eliminate any residue left on them. After you’re done, rinse once more.
Step 4. Polish the showerhead (optional)
Don’t settle for removing stains from your showerhead! To give your fixture a shiny finish, buff it with a clean microfiber cloth.
How to thoroughly clean your showerhead with vinegar
Sometimes, a simple routine cleaning is not enough to get rid of all the mineral buildup. So, if you want to give your showerhead a deep clean, follow the next steps:
Step 1. Remove the fixture
In this method, taking off the showerhead is necessary to ensure a thorough cleaning. So, make sure nobody will need the shower during the rest of the day and the next morning since you’ll leave the fixture soaking overnight.
Place a cloth on a flat surface to put the fixture there. Then, take a wrench and twist the connecting nut of the showerhead—you can cover the nut with a cloth to avoid damaging it. Remove the showerhead carefully and place it on the cloth; some parts may separate from the nozzle, so be careful!
Step 2. Soak the showerhead in vinegar
Put the showerhead in a bowl or bucket and pour in vinegar until the fixture is completely covered. Then, leave it soaking overnight.
Warning: Vinegar can damage some types of finish. So, if your showerhead is made from brass or nickel, only leave it for half an hour.
Step 3. Rinse and scrub with a toothbrush
The next day, empty the bucket of vinegar and rinse the showerhead under a faucet. Then, find a toothbrush and toothpick (or safety pin) to scrub and poke the holes in the showerhead. The goal is to remove the rest of the buildup that may be stuck on the fixture.
Step 4. Reattach the showerhead
Once you’re done cleaning, you can reattach the showerhead. Cover the pipe’s connecting spot with plumbing tape to ensure no water leaks.
Step 5. Polish the finish (optional)
Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to buff the fixture. This last step will give your showerhead a nice shiny finish and make it look as good as new.
Are you tired of cleaning? Let us give you a hand!
Does this already seem like a lot of work? Then, you probably don’t even want to think about cleaning the rest of your shower, let alone the rest of your house!
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