How To Clean Unwanted Mineral Build Up From Your Showerhead

Basic showerhead cleaning guide

Soak your showerhead in 50/50 white vinegar/hot water solution. The vinegar will help dissolve mineral deposits and prevent clogging so you can enjoy that feel-good water pressure.

If you can remove your showerhead, you can soak it in the vinegar solution in a bucket or by plugging and using your bathroom sink in lieu of a bucket.

If removing the showerhead seems like a colossal chore in itself, fill a gallon sized plastic bag with the vinegar solution. Position the plastic bag around the shower head, securing it at the neck with a tight fitting rubber band. Make sure the showerhead’s holes are all completely submerged in the vinegar solution.

For best results, it’s wise to soak your showerhead overnight, or for at least 6-8 hours. (While it's soaking, have a go at cleaning your shower doors or the tile grout of its walls!) When the showerhead is done soaking, rinse it with clean water and give its holes a once over scrub with your scrub brush or toothbrush to make sure all of the mineral deposits are gone. If you’ve removed your showerhead, you can test your results by holding the hose attachment end up to your sink and running water through it for 30 seconds to be sure all of the holes are now unclogged. If they’re not, continue to clean using our deep cleaning tips below. If the water flows freely through all of the showerhead’s holes, you’re all done and can reconnect your showerhead.

Deep cleaning showerhead guide

Okay, we’re sorry but you’re going to have to use your wrench and pliers to remove the showerhead for this version. Be mindful not to scratch the pipe or showerhead and using your wrench, loosen the nut that connects your showerhead to the pipe. (Pro tip: You can put a soft cloth or rag between your wrench and the showerhead to avoid scratching any of the hardware!) Once it’s all loosened, you ought to be able to simply unscrew the showerhead using just your hands. Peek inside the interior threaded part of the showerhead and check for debris, rinsing it clean under the faucet if necessary. Using your needle nose pliers, carefully remove the filter screen from the neck of the showerhead (it should be visible in the area that you’ve just rinsed free of debris). Now rinse the screen more thoroughly, using your toothbrush to give it a scrub if it’s especially gross. Once it’s clean, return the screen to the showerhead.

Now follow the complete list of steps for the Basic Showerhead Cleaning Guide, but add ⅓ cup baking soda for each cup of vinegar you use. The baking soda will help further dissolve mineral deposits and build up.

Once your showerhead is done soaking, take your scrub brush and give the holes a thorough scour to be sure all those pesky mineral build ups have dissolved or become dislodged. If the holes still appear clogged, make an additional paste of baking soda and vinegar (1:1 ratio) and scrub onto the holes with your toothbrush, letting sit for an additional hour before wiping off with a clean wet rag. If you’ve got especially sticky bits of grime, you can use a sewing needle or paperclip to remove them.

If your showerhead still appears to be dirty or malfunctioning, try specific rust cleaner and/or limescale remover. Apply to the showerhead as needed, following directions on the product’s label, and also around all of its fixtures and hardware.

Wipe the exterior of your showerhead off with a clean wet rag to eliminate any residual grime before replacing it. We also recommend using Mr Clean Magic Eraser (made specifically for bathrooms) to buff out at stains, spots or imperfections on the showerhead hardware, hose and faucets. Once you replace the shower head, let the water run for a couple minutes before using the shower.