How to Clean a Shower Head

It’s spring cleaning season! Have you started cleaning out and freshening up?! Today we share some super-easy tips and tricks for cleaning a shower head. While keeping your shower clean is a challenge in itself, it’s easy to forget about the device that regulates the flow of water. The shower head is where the water comes out, yet it can be the dirtiest spot in the room if you let it become encrusted with mineral deposits and mildew. So it’s time to look up, acknowledge the grime, and get it clean! Read on as we show you how to clean a shower head… [Spray Jet Showerhead from RH Modern]

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An Easy Soaking Solution

Let’s start with an easy way to keep that shower head clean! This method works well for small- to medium-sized shower heads, and it involves no toxic chemicals. [photo from Lonny]

Gold-toned shower head in a chic powder room

We begin by focusing on the ingredients you’ll want to have on hand! For starters, purchase a bottle of white vinegar. The larger your shower head, the more vinegar you’ll need, so get ready to grab an extra large bottle if necessary. [photo from She Finds]

Next up: a plastic bag. Again, the size of your shower head will determine the size of the bag you will need. In some cases, a food baggie will work well, while in other cases, a larger bag will be necessary. You will also want to have a rubber band, a piece of string, or a twisty tie on hand for securing the bag to the shower head. Confused? Don’t worry! We’re getting to the good part! [from Dutch Snacks UK]

While vinegar will do a lot of the work for you, you will still need a couple of supplies for the more detailed cleaning. Toothpicks are great for clearing those tiny holes in the shower head. [photo from The Evans Group, LLC]

Have toothpicks on hand for detailed cleaning

And of course, nothing beats a toothbrush for scrubbing! Don’t feel obligated to buy a new item. An old toothbrush will definitely do the trick! [photo from Delta Dental of Arkansas Blog]

Use an old toothbrush to scrub away debris

Here’s how the vinegar soak is done… Simply fill a plastic bag with vinegar and attach it to your shower head using a rubber band, a twisty tie or a piece of string. If using a rubber band, it can be helpful to have it in place around the shower head before you attempt to attach the liquid-filled bag! Make sure the dirty part of your shower head is completely submerged in the vinegar. [photo from CuriousNut]

If your shower head is on the large side and/or removable, there’s another option you can try for the vinegar cleaning method. [photo from Lonny]

Soaking the shower head in a large container is a very effective strategy! Start by carefully removing the shower head… [Sunflower Showerhead from RH Modern]

Now soak it in a bucket or another large container filled with vinegar. Yes, it’s that easy! [photo from The Krazy Coupon Lady]

Whether you tie a vinegar-soaked baggie around the shower head while it’s still attached or you use the bucket method shown above, soaking times will vary, depending on the level of debris that has accumulated. In fact, recommended times range from 30 minutes to overnight. Use your best judgement, and remember that you will follow up with a toothbrush and possibly toothpicks to remove particles that have been loosened by the vinegar. It will be easier to scrub away debris and re-open blocked spray holes after a good soaking. Finish by wiping the shower head with a cloth. [photo from Greatest Shower]

As a final step, let the water run through the shower head once it has been reattached. This will give those final deposits and particles a rinse so your shower head is sparkling clean and ready to go!

For Tougher Cleaning Jobs

While the method above is super easy (and kind of fun!), there are some shower heads that are a bit trickier to clean… [photo from Aleck Wilson Architects]

Multiple shower heads in a tiled bathroom

Some are so large, it might not make sense to fill a huge container with vinegar and soak them. [Hansgrohe’s oversized Raindance Royale showerhead, photo by Bruce Damonte, from Hansgrohe USA]

In other cases, you may have a ceiling-mounted shower head, as well as a hand-held sprayer. You may choose to soak each of them in a vinegar-filled baggie or to detach them and soak them in the same large container… [photo from wedi GmbH]

Perhaps your shower has both fixed and hand-held shower heads, as well as 6 body sprays! That’s a lot of vinegar soaking! [from Drury Design]

Earth-toned shower with more than one shower head

And don’t even get us started on this one… [from David Churchill Architectural Photographer]

For larger shower heads, you can always try scrubbing them with a toothbrush and vinegar, then rinsing (without soaking them first). But if you have a specialty shower head, you will want to consult the manufacturer or check your manual for cleaning advice. This may involve disassembling the shower head and cleaning specific parts, and you may be warned against using certain chemicals or household items as cleaning agents. [Kingston Brass Showerhead with Shower Arm from Kohls]

Regardless of your shower head or chosen cleaning method, remember that regular cleaning and maintenance keeps everything running smoothly! [Ceiling-Mount Rain Showerhead from RH Modern]