Shower Head: How to Unclog a Shower Head

A clogged shower head can ruin any long, luxurious shower. The usual cause of this clogging comes from minerals found in your water. This is especially true in areas that experience “hard water.” If you are asking, how water can be hard, consider the actual makeup of the liquid running through your pipes. Hard water is water heavy with minerals dissolved within its chemical makeup. These chemicals—including magnesium and calcium—can lead to many problems, including clogging your shower head and faucet. Usually, the easiest way to determine you have hard water is to check the lathering capacity of your soaps or detergents. Hard water greatly reduces the performance of these cleansing products and the lather will be minimal or non-existent.

In addition doing routine maintenance to ensure your shower head is running freely, consider adding a water softener system to your home to filter out the minerals that make up hard water. Installing a water softener can make a world of difference in the taste, quality, and feel of your water. Additionally, your soaps and detergents will work to their full capacity and provide you with rich, full lather. With the addition of a water softener, which can quickly and easily be added to your preexisting plumbing, your shower head will run freely without clogs.

Many individuals mistake a clogged shower head for low water pressure. If this is case, some quick cleaning would make a world of difference. If the clogging is too extreme, you may need to completely replace the shower head with a new fixture. This is a simple process that will take only a few minutes of your time and can be completed at minimal cost. However, before you purchase a new head, try cleaning first, especially if your fixture is new.

There are tons of products on the market that promise to quickly unclog your shower head; however, many individuals are choosing to stick with an old favorite: white vinegar. Simply pour undiluted white vinegar into a water-proof bag and secure the bag around the head. Leave to soak overnight, then remove the bag and enjoy an unclogged faucet. If your head untwists for easier clean up, use a scrub brush to remove the visible mineral deposits. This is a great cleanser for individuals who dislike using harsh chemicals, but extreme clogs may take a cleanser with more strength. Find a product that specializes in removing lime and follow the instructions on the package.

If your shower head is too far gone to clean, consider replacing it with a new head. This swap is quick, easy, and inexpensive. While you are changing shower heads, consider installing a popular rain shower or a head with several different settings to get the most out of your shower. A quick visit to your local home supply store will provide you with all the items you need to make the switch, including plumbers tape to prevent leaks.