Are you experiencing a blockage that’s not the kind demanding more fiber in your diet? Consider cleaning your shower head for a better shower experience.
Showerheads tend to start spraying unevenly as mineral deposits clog up the holes that disperse the water. This often results in the nozzles either plugging up completely or squirting water in all directions.
What you need to do is remove those deposits from the shower head so the water can flow freely.
Here's how to clean your shower head with baking soda and vinegar to help you restore it back to peak performance.
Method 1: Use Vinegar
Vinegar has compounds that naturally break down mineral deposits and will effectively clean up objects like a showerhead.
Step 1. Pour some vinegar into a bowl
- Pour enough vinegar into a bowl to completely submerge the shower head.
Step 2. Soak the fixture overnight
- Place your shower head in the bowl with vinegar.
- Allow the fixture to soak in the vinegar overnight.
The acid in the vinegar penetrates and naturally breaks down the mineral deposits that may be clogging up the spray holes in your fixture.
Step 3. Clean off the shower head with an old toothbrush
- The following morning, remove the shower head from the vinegar.
- Grab an old toothbrush and gently clean off any loosened mineral scale.
- Use a toothpick to poke the spray holes and clear out any remaining junk.
Step 4. Rinse, reinstall and run cold water through it
- Rinse the shower head thoroughly under running tap water.
- Dry it off and reinstall it in your shower.
Run cold water through it for 2 minutes. This will help blast out any remaining deposits or vinegar residue on the fixture.
Method 2: Use Baking Soda with Vinegar
Baking soda, a natural abrasive, works to dislodge particles, thus clearing up stains and clogged passages.
A baking soda and vinegar combination evokes a chemical reaction to clean out dirt, dust and any other deposits, thus leaving the object gleaming.
Things you’ll need:
- Baking soda (clears up clogged passages) – 4 tablespoons
- White vinegar (breaks down mineral deposits) – 1-2 cups
Step 1. Mix baking soda with white vinegar
- Pour 1-2 cups of white vinegar into a bowl.
- Add 4 tablespoons of baking soda to the vinegar.
It is recommended to do this step in a sink, as baking soda reacts with vinegar causing it to bubble.
Step 2. Soak the shower head in the solution
- Soak the shower head in the baking soda-vinegar solution and leave it overnight.
Vinegar reacts with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to form carbonic acid, which acts as a strong cleaning agent.
Step 3. Clean the shower head with a toothbrush
- Pick an old toothbrush and gently scrub the shower head to wipe off any dirt and debris.
- You can also grab a pin, needle or a toothpick and poke it through the holes to clear the passages.
Step 4. Run under clear water and pat dry
- Run the fixture under clear water until there is no trace of cleaning solution.
- Pat dry using a towel or a paper towel.
Run cold water through it for 2 minutes as it helps remove any remaining deposits on the fixture.
Tips
- If you have a non-removable shower head, you can use a plastic bag and a rubber band to soak the fixture. Just fill the plastic bag with the vinegar solution and secure it tightly around the shower head with a rubber band.
- Baking soda is abrasive, so it is advisable to wear gloves while working with it in order to protect your hands.
- While working with vinegar, open the windows to keep the smell from lingering in your house.
- Although vinegar is typically safe for all kinds of finishes, it is best to check the owner’s manual before proceeding with the cleaning techniques to ensure that it won’t damage your shower head.
- When using homemade cleaning solutions, it is recommended to test them first on a small area of the surface you want to clean.
- Do not mix commercial cleaning agents with homemade cleaning solutions, as the result can be dangerous.
Summary of How to Clean a Shower Head with Baking Soda and Vinegar
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It good suggestion