Are you tired of looking up at that dirty, clogged shower head day after day?
From soaking in vinegar to scrubbing using natural cleaners like bicarbonate of soda, the shower head cleaning hacks below are simple, effective, and sure to leave your shower head looking like new.
So, grab your scrub brush and let’s get to work. It’s time to say goodbye to that grimy shower head for good!
1. Soak Your Shower Head in Vinegar
To get started, you’ll need to remove the shower head from the wall. This usually involves loosening a small retaining nut with a wrench or pliers.
If you’re not sure how to do this, don’t worry—it’s usually a pretty simple process. Just be sure to have a good grip on the shower head and be careful not to strip the nut.
Once the shower head is removed, place it in a bowl or sink filled with white vinegar. Let it soak overnight.
The next morning, take an old toothbrush and use it to scrub away any dirt or build-up that has been loosened by the vinegar.
A toothbrush is perfect for this job because it’s small and manoeuvrable, and the bristles are firm enough to scrub away grime but gentle enough not to damage the shower head.
Rinse the shower head thoroughly and reattach it to the wall.
2. Clean Your Shower Head Naturally with Bicarbonate of Soda
Bicarbonate of soda is a great alternative if you’re looking for a more natural way to clean your shower head.
Mix together equal parts bicarbonate of soda and water to create a paste. You may need to adjust the amounts slightly to get the right consistency—you’re looking for a thick, spreadable paste.
Bicarbonate of soda is a natural cleaner that’s safe to use on most surfaces, and it does a great job of removing dirt and grime.
Use an old toothbrush to apply the paste to the shower head, scrubbing gently to remove any dirt or build-up.
If you’ve got a lot of built-up hard water deposits, you might need to let the paste sit on the shower head for a few minutes before scrubbing to give it time to work its magic.
Rinse the shower head thoroughly when you’re finished. That’s it: enjoy your brand-new looking shower head.
3. Add Lemon to Your List of Cleaning Tools
Vinegar is a great natural cleaner, but it can eat away at certain types of metal like chrome over time.
So, if you’ve got a chrome shower head, a great alternative is using lemon. Grab a lemon, slice it in half, and squeeze it into a bowl of warm water.
Then use the pith (the white spongey bits) of the lemon to scrub and wipe down your shower head with this acidic mixture.
It’ll work as a cleaner just as well as some of the harsher options out there, and you’ll get to use a fruit as a tool. Bonus points for that, right?
4. Burn Away That Scale with Coca-Cola
Okay, so here’s a weird cleaning hack for you: using Coca-Cola to clean your shower head.
Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but hear us out.
Coca-Cola is really acidic, with a pH of about 2.3, similar to that of a lemon. That means it’s great at breaking down stains and dissolving dirt.
Since hard water build-up can leave all sorts of stains on your shower head, Coca-Cola is a great option for getting rid of those stains and bringing back some shine.
So, if you’ve got a shower head that’s looking a little dull and dingy, try swapping out the vinegar mixture mentioned in the first hack for Coca-Cola instead.
Just fill a bag, bowl or sink with the soda and put your shower head in it. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes, then remove the shower head and give it a good rinse.
You’ll be amazed at how much less hard water wear you see on your shower head after using this hack.
5. The WD-40 Trick
Using WD-40 to clean your shower head sounds kind of odd at first, but it actually works really well!
WD-40 is a classic lubricant that’s great for fixing creaky door hinges, but it’s also a really effective cleaner.
According to the company’s website, you can use it to deep clean your shower head by dismantling the shower head and spraying the inside of it with WD-40.
The lubricant will help loosen up any minerals, dirt, and bacteria that might be stuck inside the shower head.
You might need to go back in with a brush or toothpick to get rid of everything, but WD-40 should do most of the work for you.
Just be sure to rinse your shower head really well with soap and water after you use WD-40, so you don’t leave any trace chemicals behind.
That way, when you step under your shiny, clean shower head, you can really relax and enjoy the moment.
6. Vinegar in a Bag – A No Fuss Solution
Feeling a bit lazy? Try this hack.
It’s very similar to the first hack using vinegar, but doesn’t require you to take the shower head off the wall.
Fill a plastic bag with vinegar, then attach it to the shower head using a few rubber bands.
Let the bag sit on the shower head for at least an hour to allow the vinegar to dissolve any dirt or build-up.
Just be sure to secure the bag tightly to the shower head so it doesn’t slip off. After an hour has passed, remove the bag and rinse the shower head thoroughly.
7. When All Else Fails, Use Bleach
If your shower head is particularly dirty, you may need to use a stronger cleaner such as bleach.
These products can be harsh, so be sure to read and follow the instructions on the label carefully, and take appropriate safety precautions.
We recommend wearing gloves and opening some windows to ensure the bathroom is well-ventilated.
Once you’ve applied the bleach, let it sit for the amount of time specified on the label (usually about 20 minutes), then rinse the shower head thoroughly.
Be careful when using bleach or other strong cleaners, as they can be harsh and may damage some surfaces.
Why Does Your Shower Head Get Clogged?
One common cause is the accumulation of dirt and other debris that can get trapped in the small openings of the shower head.
This can occur even if you’re diligent about cleaning your shower, as it’s nearly impossible to remove all the dirt and grime that accumulates over time.
Another cause of clogs and scale build-up is hard water. Hard water contains high levels of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which can leave behind a chalky white residue when it dries.
This residue can build up on the shower head and restrict the flow of water, leading to reduced water pressure and a less enjoyable shower experience.
To prevent these problems, it’s important to regularly clean your shower head, so read on to learn the best hacks for exactly that.
How Often Should I Clean My Shower Head?
It’s a good idea to clean your shower head every few months to remove any dirt or build-up that has accumulated.
If you have hard water, you may need to clean it more frequently, as the minerals in hard water can cause build-up on the shower head.
A good rule of thumb is to clean your shower head every three to six months. This will help ensure that it stays clean and it will also help prevent clogs that can reduce water flow.
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