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Gross shower head? You’re not alone. Here’s how to easily clean a dirty shower head, using items you probably already have at home!
Few things are better than a nice, hot shower. Steam rising as relaxing water rains down on you… along with all the bacteria that’s living in your shower head!
In addition to bacteria, lime scale and mildew often build up on shower heads because of hard water. However, they’re fairly easy to remove, but it will also take some time. Just a few simple steps, and your shower head will be as good as new!
It is possible to unscrew the shower head in order to clean it. Because some shower heads require the use of plumbing tape and some don’t, I’m going to show you how to clean a dirty shower head without removing it.
You should also keep in mind that this isn’t something you should do daily or even weekly. You could do it about once per month as part of a deep cleaning routine.
Supplies Needed
You’ll only need a few supplies to clean a dirty shower head.
- Distilled white vinegar
- Gallon-size plastic bag
- Old toothbrush
- Thick rubber band (If your shower head isn’t handheld)
- large vase or canister (You can use this instead of the rubber band if your shower head is handheld)
Now that supplies are out of the way, let’s get cleaning!
How to Clean a Dirty Shower Head
As I said above, it’s fairly easy to clean a dirty shower head. However, it will also take some time to clean properly.
Step 1
First, fill the plastic bag with vinegar. Fill it full enough to cover the shower head, but you probably don’t need to worry about covering the neck.
If your shower head is a detachable handheld style like mine, you can put the plastic bag inside the canister before filling it, as shown below. This will probably be easier to manage.
Step 2
Next, put the showerhead inside the bag, submerged in the vinegar. If your shower head is permanently mounted, you should use the rubber band to hold the bag securely to the neck of the shower head. Let the shower head soak in the vinegar for 2-4 hours.
If your shower head is handheld, you can leave the vinegar-filled bag inside the canister, and drop the shower head inside.
Step 3
Remove the shower head from the bag, and rinse it off with water. Use the old toothbrush to scrub away mildew and limescale on the shower head.
For some hard water stains, you might need to gently scratch them off with your fingernail. I know that sounds gross, but just wash your hands after.
Step 4
Once the shower head is clean, turn it on and let warm water run through it for a few minutes. As a result, the vinegar will be rinsed from the inside, as well as any other traces of mildew.
How to Clean a Dirty Shower Head: Conclusion
Wile it takes time to clean a dirty shower head, it’s a simple process. With a few basic tools, you’ll have a clean shower head within a few hours!
If you’d like to get your whole bathroom super clean, check out my post on how to deep clean your bathroom. You might also be interested in learning how to clean mold from a front-load washing machine!
Hey Amy, nice share. I’ve been using the Distilled white vinegar for dishwasher cleaning purposes. It’s great for keeping the dishwasher free of lime deposits and general cleaning.
I was advised by a repairman to pour about a half of a cup of white vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher once a month before turning on for a wash cycle.