From constant use and minerals in your water, shower heads can start to see build-up and deterioration. Cleaning and maintenance for shower heads are important for keeping your home healthy and comforting. Here are some tips for cleaning your shower head and helping it stay in working order. Typical bathroom sprays and cleaners can improve your shower head, but here are some other tips if your normal cleaners are not cutting it.

Don’t Wait To Clean

The biggest tip for cleaning your shower head is not to wait until it is fully clogged. Proper cleaning in your home will yield the best results when cleaned regularly. Waiting until your shower head is no longer functional to clean it and remove mineral buildup is not how you want to treat your home. Cleaning your shower head consistently will help keep your home in tip-top shape. 

Remove The Shower Head

Sometimes cleaning fixtures fully is hard when they are attached to your wall, sink, or other home aspects. Removing the shower head may make it easier to clean the smaller components and allow them to soak in a cleaning solution. When you remove the shower head, make sure to reattach it properly to limit mold growth and leaks. The remainder of this blog will also discuss some soaking processes for cleaning your shower head. 

Soaking In Vinegar

One of the top suggestions when it comes to cleaning your shower head is to do a vinegar soak. Vinegar helps to dissolve hard water spots, kill common bacteria, and cut through the grime that has built up from leaks or hard minerals in your water. Diluted with water, vinegar is a more natural and nontoxic cleaner than other solutions. 

Using vinegar and baking soda in a bag wrapped around your shower head for about 4 hours or overnight, will help remove mineral buildup and help your shower head sparkle. After soaking, make sure to wipe off any excess baking soda or vinegar residue. 

Scrub With Baking Soda

Baking soda mixed with water or vinegar is a common cleaning solution for cleaning your shower head that is made with items that most people have in their homes. In deep cleaning your shower head, use an old toothbrush and baking soda to scrub the shower head, faucet, nozzles, and other hardware that may have accumulated hard water. Usually, a baking soda scrub is performed after rinsing the showerhead while it is unattached from the wall, or if a vinegar soak does not remove all the hard water deposits. 

Avoid Using Bleach

Using bleach is a common cleaning method in homes because homeowners believe it will remove and kill any bad bacteria that are lingering. Using bleach on your shower head can actually lead to the production of more bacteria. Bleach that is leftover on your shower head can also damage clothes, skin, and hair, so it is best to avoid using it to avoid the risk of bleach coming out of the shower. 

Using A Gallon-Sized Baggie

If you want to avoid removing the shower head, you can use a plastic bag to let the vinegar solution suggested earlier soak on the metal. Start the soaking process right after you shower early in the day, or at night so the vinegar can soak for a long time. 

If your shower head is made of brass don’t let the vinegar set for longer than 30 minutes. If your shower head is coated in nickel, avoid using the vinegar at all as the acid can damage the shiny finish. 

Removing Calcium Deposits

Calcium carbonate appears as white streaks that look chalky on your shower. Cleaning your shower head may require you to remove calcium deposits with a commercial decalcifier. Common decalcifying solutions include CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover, and Durgol’s Descaler. 

Obtain Proper Plumbing With S&B Plumbing

Our experts at S&B Plumbing can help you avoid plumbing problems and damage to plumbing fixtures. S&B Plumbing loves serving our community and adding families to our family. Each member of our team has expert knowledge about preventing drain clogs, and mineral build-up with proper maintenance.  
S&B Plumbing wants your home to be as comfortable and safe as possible. With 24-hour services to help every aspect of your home, you can have peace of mind when completing daily tasks. Contact us to improve the quality of your home!