How to Clean a Shower Head
We take showers to remove dirt from our bodies, but what if the dirt itself comes from the shower? If not cleaned and maintained properly, mineral deposits can build up on your shower head, causing you to lose water pressure. When this happens, it’s time to clean this bathroom fixture. Here’s what to do.
What You’ll Need:
Shower head
Distilled white vinegar
Old toothbrush
Paper clip or long sewing needle
Dish detergent
Saucepan
Stove
Procedure:
Inspect the shower head. One that needs cleaning will show signs of discoloration and there will be white mineral deposits on it. Remove the shower head, using the adjustable wrench. If you have one with an attached hose, chances are it will unscrew easily.
Remove the shower head’s cover if needed. It makes rinsing and soaking easier and more effective.
Scrub the shower head. Make a mixture of dish detergent and water, then scrub it all over the shower head using the old toothbrush. Afterwards, rinse the head with water.
Get a paper clip then straighten it out. Use it to remove dirt granules and sediments that can be seen from the stray hole. If it won’t fit, use a long sewing needle.
If the shower head still doesn’t look clean enough, you can use vinegar to clean it out. Put adequate amount of distilled white vinegar in a saucepan, enough to submerge the shower head. Place the shower head in it. It should be floating, not touching the bottom of the pan.
Put your saucepan on the stove, under low heat. Allow the shower head to simmer, but not boil, in the vinegar for several minutes. How long you should do this depends on how much the build up is. Make sure the stove isn’t on too high, otherwise the shower head will melt.
After a few minutes of summering, remove the saucepan from heat, then rinse the shower head with plain water. Screw it back on the shower, and let the water run for a few minutes, making sure all deposits are rinsed away.
You can check the O ring, and see if it needs replacing. This will help you avoid leaks in the future.
Making sure that your shower head is free from dirt and build ups will ensure you step out of the bathroom squeaky clean every time. Try these simple steps and solve this problem with ease.