If you’ve noticed that the water pressure at your sink faucet has gotten worse, then a dirty aerator may be the culprit. The aerator is the screen at the end of the faucet that helps make a consistent stream of water, but it can get clogged with debris from your pipes over time. Luckily, cleaning a dirty faucet aerator is really simple with common household items, and you can do it in less than an hour. Keep reading for the best way to clean and unclog your aerator so your faucet works properly again.
Things You Should Know
- Unscrew the aerator from the end of your faucet by hand or with pliers . For an aerator hidden inside the faucet, use an aerator key wrench instead.
- Soak your aerator in white vinegar for at least 5 minutes to break apart residue. Then, scrub the pieces with a toothbrush to clean them.
- ​​Clean your faucet aerator every 6 months. If the residue doesn’t come off or if the aerator is damaged, replace it instead.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Clean your faucet regularly so buildup doesn't form around the aerator. Otherwise, it will be harder to remove.Thanks
- Use cold water from your faucet instead of hot when you can since it won’t create as much residue in your aerator.Thanks
Things You’ll Need
- Pliers or faucet aerator key wrench
- Vinegar or calcium, lime, and rust remover
- Plastic bag
- Rubber band
- Toothbrush
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning, check out our in-depth interview with Bruna Coutinho .
References
- ↑ https://water.phila.gov/pool/files/daily-cleaning-tips-lead-faucet-aerators.pdf
- ↑ https://water.phila.gov/pool/files/daily-cleaning-tips-lead-faucet-aerators.pdf
- ↑ https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/Communications/LeadCleanAeratorsPrintable.pdf
- ↑ https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/mileadsafe/Educational-resources/Cleaning_Your_Aerators_English.pdf?rev=929b7b90300848b1bc30e806f2c38d50
- ↑ https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/Communications/LeadCleanAeratorsPrintable.pdf
- ↑ https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/mileadsafe/Educational-resources/Cleaning_Your_Aerators_English.pdf?rev=929b7b90300848b1bc30e806f2c38d50
- ↑ https://youtu.be/yLHLvFnkqwo?t=57