How to Clean a Showerhead - 5 Steps
Your showerhead probably isn’t very high on your list of things to clean. You might be diligent in other areas of your home, wiping down the shower screen after use, scrubbing the shower base every week, even unblocking the plug hole once a month, but most people don’t clean their showerhead anywhere near as regularly.
You might be surprised to learn that your showerhead could be harbouring a lot of bacteria. Minerals in your water will build up over time and provide a breeding ground for nasties. And, when you consider that the bathroom is usually a warm and steamy environment, it’s easy to see how bacteria could be quick to multiply.
If you don’t clean your showerhead, you could also end up with blocked nozzles which impact on the flow of water and the quality of your shower. If you’ve noticed the water doesn’t flow like it used to, or if you’ve got spurts of water shooting off to the side, this could be a sign that you need to clean your showerhead. Read on to discover the 5 steps you need to take so you can tick this off your to-do list.
Remove your showerhead from the hose
The first step is to remove the showerhead from the hose. If your showerhead is fixed to the wall, you may be unable to do this step, but there are still ways to clean your showerhead regardless.
If you can remove it from the hose, make sure you retain any washers as these will be essential in preventing leaks once you reassemble everything.
Scrub the holes with a brush
Using a scrubbing brush, gently clean the nozzles to help loosen any mineral deposits. Work slowly and focus on each nozzle to help to break up any deposits and to loosen debris. Deposits can harden over time, or they might be soft and easily broken up.
You might also need to clean the head with a specialised spray designed to break down soap scum. Use a bleach solution to help hygienically clean the entire showerhead.
Rinse it under warm water
Brushing the nozzles can dislodge the deposits and mould inside the showerhead. Gently rinse this out by allowing it to fill with water and then tipping it back out of the opening where the shower hose attaches. Continue doing this until the water runs clear and there is no more debris coming out of the showerhead.
Leave your showerhead to soak in vinegar
To help break up any final mineral deposits, use a solution of water and white vinegar. If you can remove the showerhead from the hose, you can simply place this in a bucket or bowl to soak.
If your showerhead is attached to the wall, fill a plastic bag with the water and vinegar mixture. Place the showerhead inside the bag and then fasten it in place with an elastic band. You can leave this overnight to help clean the inside and outside of your showerhead. Not only will this help to break up mineral deposits, but it will also deodorise your showerhead too.
Use a pin to unclog any remaining hole
Reattach the showerhead to the hose, or remove the water and vinegar bag from the showerhead. Turn on the shower and check the flow of the water. You should expect to see some dirty water the first time you turn on your shower. If there are still a few clogged nozzles, you can use a pin or unfolded paper clip to help poke out and remove any final blockages.
To help maintain your showerhead and prevent any future build-up of mineral deposits, soap scum or mould, make this part of your monthly cleaning routine. You can also use a specialist bathroom spray after every shower to help keep your showerhead hygienically clean.
While you might be able to handle a blocked showerhead on your own, some home emergencies are best left to the professionals. For the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is covered no matter what, get in touch with YourRepair today. We offer comprehensive home and boiler care plans to help you to stay in control.