7 Easy Ways to Get a Sparkling, Rust-Free Shower Head

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

It’s important to clean your shower head because mineral deposits from water build up in the holes of the shower head. These minerals will clog your shower head and prevent water from flowing to its full potential. [1] There are a few different ways to clean your shower head, but they all involve vinegar, which will free up the minerals and clean your shower head best.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Submerging the Shower Head in Vinegar

PDF download Download Article
  1. Check the instruction manual of your shower if you do not know how to do this. Many shower heads will simply twist off, but yours may be different. If you have recently installed a new shower head, and it has a warranty, make sure you handle it according to package instructions.
  2. Find a container or tub large enough to fully submerge your disconnected shower head. Pour enough white vinegar into the tub to completely immerse your shower head. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. You should pour in about ⅓ of a cup of baking soda for every cup of vinegar that you pour into the tub. The solution should bubble.
  4. Completely immerse your shower head in the tub of vinegar. Make sure that it will stay submerged for at least an hour.
  5. Leave your shower head soaking in the vinegar. You can also leave your shower head there overnight, if you want more of a deep clean. [4]
  6. Pour water from the sink onto your shower head. Rinse off the excess vinegar and wipe clean with a cloth.
  7. Allow a strong stream of water to go through the pipe attachment into the nozzle. Let it run for 30 seconds.
  8. Turn on your shower. Let your shower run for a few minutes to get rid of any vinegar that might still be inside the shower head. [5]
    9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Spot Cleaning the Shower Head

PDF download Download Article
  1. Check the instruction manual of your shower if you do not know how to do this. Many showers will simply twist off from the neck of the shower, but some are different. If you have recently installed a new shower head, and it has a warranty, make sure you handle it according to package instructions.
  2. [6] Scrub your shower head with the toothbrush. Pay special attention to the small holes that water flows through. You can also use a rag to clean the shower head. [7]
  3. After you’re done cleaning, douse the shower head in water to get rid of excess vinegar and minerals. Do not worry too much about the vinegar smell. It will go away with time.
  4. Run the shower for a few minutes. Make sure that the shower head is reattached correctly. Run it until the water coming out of the shower does not smell like vinegar anymore.
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Attaching a Bag of Vinegar to the Shower Head

PDF download Download Article
  1. You should pour in enough to completely cover the shower head when you tie the bag onto the shower. Make sure that the bag is free of holes and can support the weight of the vinegar for an extended period of time. [10]
  2. You should pour in about ⅓ of a cup of baking soda for every cup of vinegar that you pour into the tub. The solution should bubble.
  3. Hold the plastic bag open in your hands. Raise it up to the shower head so that the shower head is completely submerged.
  4. You can use a zip tie, a rubber band, or even a hair elastic. Make sure that the bag is tied such that you can let go without the bag falling.
  5. You can also leave the bag of vinegar overnight for a deeper clean. The more time you leave the shower head soaking, the cleaner it will get. [11]
  6. Throw away the vinegar and the plastic bag. Run the shower for a few minutes, until it does not smell like vinegar anymore. Your shower should be cleaner and run more efficiently! [12]
    7. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Trying Other Cleaning Methods

PDF download Download Article
  1. Try brands like CLR or Simple Green. Follow the instructions on the product itself to remove mineral deposits from the shower head.
  2. If your shower head is rusty, use a rust removing agent, such as Bar Keeper’s Friend, to wipe off rust stains. Use a toothbrush or a scouring pad for persistent rust.
  3. Use a basic cleaning agent, such as 409 or Scrubbing Bubbles, to clean the exterior of your shower head. Spray the solution on a cloth or toothbrush (for the hard to reach places) and clean by hand.
  4. Cleaning the filter screen is another method of clearing mineral deposits. The filter screen is behind your shower head, near the pipe.
    • Take the showerhead off of the wall. Every shower head is different, but many can be screwed off the wall using your hands or household tools. Find or look up the instruction manual for your particular showerhead if you are having trouble.
    • Remove the filter screen. The filter screen is typically located on the part of the shower that connects to the pipe. It is usually fairly small and circular.
    • Clean the filter screen. Run it under running water for a few minutes. Scrub it with a toothbrush. Make sure all debris is gone from the filter screen.
    • Replace the filter screen. Put it back when you put the shower head back onto the shower. Consult the instruction manual for your shower if you are having trouble determining how to do this.
    5. Advertisement


Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How often should you clean a shower head?
    Fabricio Ferraz
    House Cleaning Professional
    Fabricio Ferraz is the Co-Owner and Operator of Hire a Cleaning. Hire a Cleaning is a family owned and operated business that has been serving San Francisco, California homes for over 10 years.
    Fabricio Ferraz
    House Cleaning Professional
    Expert Answer
    Try to get in the habit of wiping down the shower head with a cleaner every day.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 4
  • Question
    How do you get rid of orange water stains in your shower?
    Andrii Gurskyi
    House Cleaning Professional
    Andrii Gurskyi is the owner and founder of Rainbow Cleaning Service, a New York City cleaning company specializing in apartments, homes, and moving cleanup using non-toxic and artificial fragrance free cleaning solutions. Founded in 2010, Andrii and Rainbow Cleaning Service has served over 35,000 customers.
    Andrii Gurskyi
    House Cleaning Professional
    Expert Answer
    Scrub down the stains with a mixture of white vinegar and hot water. This won't always work 100%, but it's definitely the most eco-friendly option. You can also tackle the stains with a chlorine bleach solution—just be sure to air out the room afterward.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Read Video Transcript

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Things You'll Need

      • White vinegar
      • Nonmetal bowl
      • Baking soda
      • Plastic bag
      • Rubber band
      • Toothbrush
      • Soft cloth
      • Lime scale remover
      • Rust removing agent
      • Scouring pad

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Clean the Showerhead with Vinegar
      How to
      Wash Your Shower Curtain Liner
      How to
      Clean Soap Scum from Glass Shower Doors
      How to
      Clean a Fiberglass Shower
      How to
      Clean a Shower Curtain
      How to
      Clean Orange Stains in a Shower
      How to
      Clean Shower Tile
      How to
      Clean a Fiberglass Shower Floor
      How to
      Clean a Stone Tile Shower
      How to
      Clean an Acrylic Shower
      How to
      Remove Copper Stains from Baths and Showers
      How to
      Clean a Travertine Shower
      How to
      Clean a Fiberglass Shower Pan
      How to
      Clean Your Shower Screen
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-clean-a-showerhead/#page=0
      2. ↑ Fabricio Ferraz. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.
      3. ↑ Andrii Gurskyi. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 11 April 2019.
      4. ↑ https://lifehacker.com/tie-a-bag-of-vinegar-around-your-shower-head-to-clean-i-5906391
      5. ↑ http://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-shower-head/#.V40D9pMrKb8
      6. ↑ Andrii Gurskyi. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 11 April 2019.
      7. ↑ http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-clean-a-showerhead/#page=0
      8. ↑ Fabricio Ferraz. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.
      9. ↑ Andrii Gurskyi. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 11 April 2019.
      1. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-bathroom/how-clean-bathroom
      2. ↑ https://lifehacker.com/tie-a-bag-of-vinegar-around-your-shower-head-to-clean-i-5906391
      3. ↑ http://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-shower-head/#.V40D9pMrKb8
      4. ↑ Fabricio Ferraz. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.
      5. ↑ Fabricio Ferraz. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.
      6. Videos provided by Steven Parente

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean a shower head, first disconnect the shower head from the shower. Either press the button on the side or front of the shower head to take it out of the supply line, or use a wrench to unscrew the nut at the base of the shower head to remove it. Then, fill a large bowl with white vinegar and submerge your shower head in it. Let the shower head soak for at least 12 hours to remove any grime. Next, take the shower head out of the vinegar and rinse it under cool water before reattaching it to your shower. If your shower head can't be disconnected, fill an airtight plastic bag with white vinegar. Slide the opening of the bag over the shower head so that the shower head is fully submerged. Tie the top of the bag to the shower head with a rubber band or duct tape, then let it soak for 12 hours. Finally, remove the plastic bag and pour a few cups of water over the shower head while running it to rinse it off. If you want to learn how to attach a bag of vinegar to your shower head, keep reading the article!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 146,044 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Don Waterbury

        Apr 25, 2018

        "Cleaning the screen behind the shower head was new to me. Now I know where it is."
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement