Taking a shower is one of the most cleansing and refreshing experiences you can have after a long day or when waking up. However, a dirty and clogged shower head can turn this relaxing experience into a frustrating one. Not only does a clogged shower head reduce the water pressure, but it can also harbour harmful bacteria. Therefore, it’s essential to clean your shower head regularly. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to effectively clean your shower head to ensure a clean and refreshing shower every time. 

Why clean your showerhead? 

A shower head can be a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and mould. These microorganisms thrive in warm and damp environments and can cause several health issues, including skin irritation and respiratory problems. As we mentioned earlier, if your shower head is clogged up then it’ll lead to a less satisfying shower experience, especially with the added issue of bacteria. Therefore, it’s crucial to clean your showerhead regularly to remove these harmful microorganisms and mineral build-up. 

Materials needed to clean your shower head 

Before we get started on cleaning your shower head, you’ll need to gather some materials. These include: 

Now that you have everything you need, let’s get started! 

Cleaning your showerhead 

Remove the shower head 

The first step is to remove the shower head. To do this, unscrew the shower head from the pipe. You may need to use a wrench or pliers to loosen it if it’s tightly screwed on. Be careful not to damage the showerhead or pipe. 

Soak the shower head 

Fill a bucket with enough white vinegar to submerge the shower head. Place the shower head in the bucket and let it soak for at least an hour. White vinegar is a natural acid that helps dissolve mineral build-up and kill bacteria. 

Clean the shower head 

After an hour, remove the shower head from the vinegar and rinse it with water to remove any remaining vinegar. Next, sprinkle baking soda on the surface of the shower head and use a toothbrush to scrub it gently. The baking soda acts as a natural abrasive that helps remove hard water stains and mineral build-up. Rinse the shower head again with water to remove any baking soda residue. 

Soak the shower head again 

Place the shower head in a plastic bag or sandwich bag filled with white vinegar. Use a rubber band or twist tie to secure the bag around the shower head, ensuring that the shower head is fully submerged in the vinegar. Let it soak for another hour. This step helps remove any remaining mineral build-up or bacteria that the first soak might have missed. 

Rinse and reattach the shower head 

After an hour, remove the shower head from the vinegar and rinse it with water thoroughly. Use a cloth or sponge to wipe the shower head dry. Finally, reattach the showerhead to the pipe and turn on the water to ensure that the water flows freely. 

Tips and tricks for cleaning your showerhead 

If you have a fixed shower head that can’t be removed, use a plastic bag or a sandwich bag filled with white vinegar and tie it around the showerhead, ensuring that the holes in the shower head are submerged in the vinegar. Leave it overnight and rinse it off in the morning. It’s important to wear gloves while handling vinegar to avoid skin irritation or burns. 

If you don’t have baking soda, you can use lemon juice instead. Lemon juice is also acidic and can help remove mineral build-up. If you’re short on time, you can skip the first soak and directly scrub the showerhead with baking soda. 

By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively clean your shower head and remove any mineral build-up, bacteria, or mould. It’s important to note that you should clean your showerhead at least once every three months to prevent mineral build-up and maintain good hygiene. 

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