Guides and Tips

How to Clean a Showerhead with Vinegar

May 6, 2023
How to Clean a Showerhead with Vinegar

Cleaning the showerhead with vinegar is a popular and effective way to remove hard mineral deposits which can obstruct its water flow.

It’s so easy to do that you don’t have to call in a professional. In this guide, we’ll show you how to soak the showerhead in vinegar properly.

How to Clean a Removable Showerhead

1) Prepare the supplies

Here are the things that you’ll need for the task:

  • A bucket, basin, or another vessel that can fit the showerhead
  • White vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • An unused toothbrush
  • An old rag
  • A microfiber cloth
  • A plumbing tape (optional)
  • A wrench (optional)

2) Twist out the showerhead

If your showerhead is attached to a pipe, disconnect the showerhead by twisting it clockwise from the nut. 

But if it is too hard to twist by hand, put a rag over the nut and use a wrench to remove the showerhead. The rag will protect the showerhead from scratches and damage.

3) Place the showerhead in a container

Place the showerhead in a container

Next, set the showerhead in a bucket, basin, or plastic container that fits it. Use the smallest one possible so you’ll pour in less vinegar.

4) Fill the container with white vinegar

Pour white vinegar into the container until it reaches the top of the showerhead. 

The acids in the vinegar will work through and remove the calcium, limescale, and other mineral buildups on the showerhead.

5) Let the showerhead soak for an hour or overnight

You have to leave the showerhead in vinegar for an hour or better yet, overnight, to thoroughly dissolve the mineral stains.

Want to speed up the process? Then you can put the metal showerhead in a kitchen pot with vinegar and let it simmer on a stove for 15 minutes.

But the amount of time to leave the showerhead in the acid cleaner differs depending on its material.

For instance, if the showerhead has a gold, nickel, or brass finish, leave it only for 15 minutes. Otherwise, their finish will get permanent damage.

6) Take the showerhead and scrub it

Take the showerhead and scrub it

After enough time has elapsed, you can take the showerhead from the container and scrub it. 

The mineral deposits should be flaking off. You can use an old toothbrush to get into the crevices of the showerhead for thorough cleaning.

Additionally, brush the shower holes because these are often the areas with the most mineral buildup.

Continue until all of the mineral residue, stain, and dirt are gone.

7) Rinse the showerhead

It’s time to rinse the showerhead to clear the vinegar scent and mineral buildup. Using cold water will do.

8) Polish the showerhead

Then, using a microfiber cloth, wipe and polish the showerhead, making sure that it is completely dry and that all water spots are removed.

9) Screw back the showerhead to the pipe

Screw back the showerhead to the pipe

The cleaning is now done and you can screw back the showerhead onto the wall pipe. 

But first, get some plumbing tape and wrap it around the threaded part of the pipe to seal and lubricate it.

Then, just screw the showerhead back into place.

10) Run the shower for 10 seconds

Finally, open the shower for at least 10 seconds to flush out the mineral deposits that weren’t removed by the toothbrush.

How to clean a non-removable showerhead?

1) Prepare the supplies

Here are the things that you’ll be needing for the task:

  • A plastic bag that will fit the showerhead
  • A piece of string or twine
  • White vinegar
  • An unused toothbrush
  • A microfiber cloth

2) Fill the lower part of the plastic bag with vinegar

Fill the plastic bag with a quarter of vinegar only. Too much vinegar will cause it to spill out of the plastic when the showerhead is put into it.

3) Place the bag over the showerhead 

Place the bag over the showerhead

With two hands, hold up the sides of the plastic with vinegar, slowly pulling up until the vinegar saturates the showerhead.

Check that the showerhead and the part with mineral deposits are soaked in the vinegar. If not, adjust accordingly by adding vinegar.

4) Secure the bag on the showerhead with a string 

While holding the bag in place, tightly press the sides of the bag on the neck of the showerhead.

And then wrap the bag tightly with a piece of string or twine. Check that it won’t fall on the floor before you leave it there.

5) Let the showerhead soak for an hour or overnight

Let the showerhead soak for an hour or overnight

Leave the showerhead in the vinegar from an hour to overnight. 

Remember that the dirtier the showerhead is, the longer you must leave it soaked in vinegar for the best results.

Also, don’t leave nickel, brass, or gold showerhead for longer than 15 minutes, as they can be corroded by vinegar.

6) Remove the bag from the showerhead

Afterward, remove the bag from the showerhead. Hold one side of the bag in one hand as you untie the string with the other hand.

Dispose of the vinegar in the sink.

7) Brush the shower holes

The shower’s base or holes tend to have the most stains and mineral deposits. With an old toothbrush, scrub them out as much as possible.

You may have to alternate brushing and turning the shower on to get rid of all mineral deposits.

8) Run the shower for 10 seconds

Run the shower for 10 seconds

Turn on the shower for about 10 seconds to flush out the mineral deposits from the shower holes.

After that, close the water supply of the shower.

9) Polish the showerhead

Lastly, clean and buff the showerhead with a soft microfiber cloth. Make sure that all water spots are removed and that the showerhead is completely dry.

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