How to Clean a Showerhead
Have you ever stepped into the shower only to realize the holes were so clogged water's spraying every which direction and the showerhead looks all grimy and tarnished?
If this hasn't yet happened to you, it will. But no worries—PhoneSoap's got your back with everything you know about how to clean your showerhead.
How to clean a showerhead
- To start, clean out the holes of your showerhead with an old toothbrush or scrub sponge. This should help dislodge any built-up debris or mineral deposits. If your only problem is that the showerhead seems a little clogged, this step alone may fix it. If the buildup is especially severe, you can try using a toothpick.
- Next, grab a plastic bag and fill it with about 1 cup of white vinegar. Depending on the size of your showerhead, this could be anything from a sandwich-sized to a gallon-sized resealable bag.
- Using a rubber band, tie the bag around the showerhead, making sure the holes are immersed in the vinegar.
- Soak for an hour. If you’re in a rush, you can try it for 15 minutes. If you have more time, you can also try this overnight.
- Remove the bag and wipe down the showerhead to clear away any loosened limescale or calcium deposits.
- Run the shower on hot to flush out any excess.
If you find that your showerhead still isn’t getting the job done, you may need to remove its filter screen. This can be a more complicated process that varies by showerhead, so be sure to consult your showerhead’s instruction manual. If you can’t find it, don’t panic. Most companies have a copy of the manual online.
Our top 5 shower cleaning hacks
- Notice that your shower’s looking a little grimy or discolored? Try this hack to make it shiny again: Grab a lemon and some baking soda. Halve the lemon and sprinkle the baking soda on the shower walls, then rub the halved lemon all over. While the lemon juice will naturally bleach the walls, the baking soda will help to clear away the scum and grime.
- Spoiler alert: Showers are a breeding ground for mold and mildew. If the grout in your bathtub is moldy, you’ll need to use a stronger cleaning agent than just vinegar or lemon juice. Mix together 3/4 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of bleach until it forms a paste. NOTE: Only use this tip if your bathroom is well ventilated, and make sure to use safety precautions like gloves when handling bleach. Using an old paintbrush, coat the grout with the mixture and let it sit for 10 minutes. Once those 10 minutes are up, use the paintbrush and work the cleaner deeper into the grout. Let sit for another 10 minutes, then rinse. Your shower will sparkle like it’s brand-new.
- If your grout needs to be scrubbed but your bathroom isn’t well-ventilated, or you simply want to avoid any and all bleach fumes, try using a super simple non-toxic DIY cleaner. Combine 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Scrub it on the grout and let it sit for at least 5 minutes (longer if the grout is really dirty), then rinse.
- Shower door looking a little worse for the wear? Use a Magic Eraser. Rub the door with the eraser and rinse it off. You’ll be surprised how much better it looks.
- For a simple shower cleaner, look no further than your pantry. Warm 1 cup of vinegar and pour it into a spray bottle. Add 1/2 cup of dish soap. This mixture will easily break down soap scum in your tub, on the shower doors, and even on tile.
When it comes to cleaning your shower, what are your favorite hacks? Share in the comments below.
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