When you first install a showerhead, as long as it is connected properly, it should work correctly. The water will come from each hole, providing the most water pressure that the shower head allows. As you use the shower, the pressure can weaken, and it can become less effective. Often, this is due to the buildup of soap scum, mineral buildup, or limescale in the holes in the shower head where the water comes out. If you find that your shower head is not working that way that it once did, you should clean it.
If you have ever searched YouTube for videos to teach you to clean your showerhead, you have likely found that most of the methods require the use of vinegar. The same is true if you have searched DIY articles online. If you have tried this in the past and it didn’t work as well as you had hoped, there are a few other methods that you can try.
Cleaning With Baking Soda
Baking soda works miracles when it comes to household cleaning. To clean a showerhead using this method, you should combine baking soda and warm water in a bowl so that it creates a paste. Before spreading the paste on the shower head, be sure to wear gloves. The paste will be abrasive which can be damaging to your hands. Allow the paste to sit for about 15 minutes before wiping it off with a warm, wet cloth. When you have removed the paste, turn on the shower to remove any excess paste.
Pros:
- This method is all natural.
- The mixture is inexpensive to make.
Cons:
- If you leave the paste on for too long, it can be difficult to rinse it off.
Using a Toothbrush
This method of cleaning your shower head is a more hands-on approach. Start by pouring some cleanser in a bowl. It is best to use a cleanser that is designed to clean hard water stains, soap scum, or limescale. Next, dip an old toothbrush into the bowl and scrub the nozzle thoroughly. Doing this will loosen up the buildup, and you might see soap suds as you remove the soap scum from the nozzle. Finally, turn on the shower to make sure that it is working the way it did when it was brand new.
Pros:
- If you use the right cleanser, it can be very effective.
Cons:
- This method requires a lot of scrubbing. Also, you will need to reach up high to reach the nozzle. This method requires the most work which many people like to avoid.
Oven Cleaner
Most people use oven cleaner to clean the grease, food, and grime from the inside of the oven. In most cases, oven cleaner works great. If oven cleaner does such a great job on baked on, stuck on messes, it should surely work on your shower head.
Before you begin, put on a pair of rubber gloves. Oven cleaner is powerful, and it can be damaging to the skin. If you have a mask, you should use that as well. The fumes from most brands of oven cleaners can be harmful if you breathe it in. If you don’t have a mask, you can wrap a handkerchief or a towel around your head so that it covers your nose and your mouth. To clean the different types of shower head, spray the entire surface with oven cleaner. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes before rinsing the shower head with warm water. Finally, turn on the shower and allow it to run for a minute or two.
Pros:
- This method requires very little effort.
Cons:
- If you leave the oven cleaner on for too long, it can damage the finish of the shower head.
Coca-Cola
If you have ever watched any DIY cleaning videos, you know that Coca-Cola is more than just a refreshing beverage. It is also a liquid with massive cleaning power. Many people use Coca-Cola to clean their cast iron pans. Considering how difficult these pans are to clean, this goes to show you what a powerful cleaning agent this soft drink can be. In fact, Coca-Cola contains phosphoric acid, and it has a pH balance of 2.0.
To clean your shower head with Coca-Cola, start by pouring a can of soda into a plastic bag. Next, pull the bag up over the shower nozzle and hold it in place with an elastic band. It is essential that you make sure that the entire shower head is submerged completely in the Coca-Cola. Allow the nozzle to soak for 15 minutes before taking it off of the shower head. Next, wipe the shower head down with warm, soapy water and turn on the shower. If the water pressure isn’t as powerful as you would like it to be, you should repeat the process.
Pros:
- It is one of the simplest, most effortless methods.
- It is a very inexpensive option.
Cons:
- Wasting a can of a delicious, refreshing soft drink can be hard for some people.
Frequent Cleanings Are Essential !
Whether you are planning to use the baking soda method, the toothbrush method, or the Coca-Cola method, it is important that you use your method of choice monthly. If you wait until the problem has affected your water pressure, it will be harder to clean. Keeping up with the cleanings will ensure that your shower head will always be working properly.
Just because your shower head isn’t providing as much water pressure as it once did, you don’t need to go out and buy a new one. In many cases, a simple cleaning will be enough. Despite what you read online, using vinegar isn’t the only way to clean your shower head. If you are looking for a natural method, baking soda works great. If you don’t mind using a bit of elbow grease, the toothbrush method his highly effective. Finally, if you are willing to think outside the box a bit, the Coca-Cola and the oven cleaner method work wonders.
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