Cleaning your shower head properly takes a bit more than wiping away the limescale on the outside. You have to really get into the nozzles and remove all the built-up residue of limescale and bacteria.
And our cleaning experts have one preferred way of doing it, marking pantry staple vinegar as the best way to clean your shower head using regular household items.
Years of experience knowing how to clean a shower has given our pros invaluable insight into all the best tips and tricks, which they share in this four-step simple guide.
Why cleaning your shower head is important
'Cleaning your shower head frequently prevents mineral buildup, improves water pressure, and ensures smooth, clean water flow,' says Ben Johnson, cleaning professional and CEO of Big Ben.
Removing limescale from your shower head will improve the water water quality, keeping it in better condition for longer as well as improving your hair and skin.
Here 's what you will need:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda (optional, but makes a difference) - available cheaply at Amazon
- Heavy-duty plastic bag or a Ziploc freezer bag available at Walmart
- Rubber band or zip tie
- Soft brush
- Microfiber cloth
1. Prepare your cleaning kit
White vinegar is great for cleaning around the home and will easily dissolve much of the grime and minerals in your shower head, as well as making the exterior sparkle and shine.
This bathroom clean will be easier if you're able to unscrew and remove the shower head but, if that's not possible, use a plastic bag and a tight rubber band to seal around the shower head instead.
'If your shower head is straightforward to take away, unscrew it from the pipe. This makes deep cleaning simpler however is elective if the pinnacle is difficult to take away,' cleaning whizz Ben explains.
To remove it, 'Use a wrench or unscrew manually, wrapping a cloth around the head to avoid scratches,' advises Daniel Anderson, professional cleaning expert and CEO of Gorubbishgo.
2. Soak the shower head
Depending on how often you clean your shower, there could be a great amount of build-up there and soaking will tackle stubborn grime and mineral deposits. It will also banish 'pink mold', which is actually a result of bacteria.
'Carefully pour vinegar into the plastic bag, being careful not to fill it all the way to the top,' says Kerry Sherin, home expert from Ownerly. Filling it to the top will cause it to spill once the shower head goes in.
If you've removed your shower head, simply place it into the bag and tightly secure a rubber band to the hose. If not, carefully bring the bag up to the shower head, and secure it in the same way.
'Let it soak for at least half-hour to an hour,' Ben recommends. Or, as Kerry advises: 'For a better clean, leave the shower head to soak for several hours or overnight.'
'When the time is up, take the bag out and pour the vinegar down the drain. Run hot water through the shower head for [at least] one minute to get rid of any dirt that is still there,' Kerry states.
3. Brush and scrub
'Use a tender brush or [old] toothbrush to clean the bathe head, focusing on the nozzles where mineral deposits generally tend to build up,' says Ben. It's important to use a soft brush to avoid damaging the nozzles or your shower head's finish.
To be extra safe, Ben recommends the OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set from Amazon, as it's 'best for scrubbing small crevices on your bathe head without scratching.'
The large brush works well on grout, shower door tracks, stove tops, while the smaller brush is great for the finer details and tight spaces. They'll work wonders when cleaning your shower, but are also helpful for the rest of your home.
'If the buildup won't go away, clean the area with baking soda and a brush, [being] careful around the valves,' Kerry adds. Baking soda makes things much easier to clean and will help get the more stubborn residue off.
If any nozzles are still clogged you can use a toothpick to clear them, then brush the grime away.
4. Rinse, wipe clean
Rinse once again with hot water to clear the remaining residue away. 'Lastly, buff the shower head with a soft cloth to get rid of any water spots and bring back its shine,' Kerry finishes.
While you're at it, rinse down the rest of your shower space - one of the many things you can do after every shower to make cleaning easier.
Now that your shower head is looking pristine, learn how to remove limescale from shower glass, how to clean mold in the shower, and the best way to clean shower grout.
