How to Clean a Showerhead

Let's get that shower squeaky clean.

By Amy Gordon | February 27, 2024

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Nothing beats the feeling of stepping out of a hot shower feeling cleansed, invigorated, and ready to face the day. That’s why it’s super important to keep this sacred space as clean as possible. Spraying your shower doors, walls, and tiles with bathroom cleaner is probably already part of your regular housekeeping routine, but you might be neglecting one of the most important elements of keeping you and your family clean: the showerhead.

Yes, it’s vital to know how to clean a clogged showerhead, but the best way to prevent buildup from accumulating in the first place is to give your hardware a good cleaning every month or so. If you’re not sure how to clean a showerhead, you’ve come to the right place. We have the goods on how to get rid of the impurities that might be preventing optimum flow pressure and tainting your water with mold, mildew, and other unwelcome substances. Below, we compiled step-by-step instructions for how to clean a showerhead with vinegar, baking soda, toothpicks, and other items you probably already have in your home. So you can get started as soon as you’re done reading!

1. Remove the Showerhead

The first step is to remove your showerhead from the shower arm (the pipe that connects your showerhead to the water supply). To do so, you’ll need a wrench and a washcloth or dishtowel. Find the nut that attaches the head to the arm—that’s where you have to twist with the wrench. Place the washcloth between the wrench and the nut to avoid scratches and damage, then twist and remove the showerhead.

2. Rinse and Poke It

Now that you have your showerhead off, flush it with water under the sink faucet. Alternatively, if it’s not detachable, run the shower with hot water for a minute or so. Use a spare soft-bristle toothbrush to loosen up any debris that you can see inside. Next, grab a toothpick, and stick it through each of the holes in the nozzle to get rid of any clogs. Keep using the toothbrush and toothpick to clear any other buildup that you can see with the naked eye.

3. Give It a Good Soak

Grab a mixing bowl, baking soda, and white vinegar from the kitchen. Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the bowl, and slowly pour in enough vinegar to completely submerge the showerhead. The cleansing quality of vinegar will eat at the limescale and other deposits, and the abrasive baking soda will help scrub off any remaining buildup. If you have a showerhead that isn’t detachable, just grab a plastic baggie from the kitchen and fill that up with baking soda and vinegar instead. Then, submerge the showerhead in the baggie and wrap a rubber band around it to secure the bag in place. Let the showerhead soak for at least 30 minutes to an hour.

4. Prep the Shower Arm

While your showerhead is soaking, turn your attention to the shower arm. Remove old plumber’s tape that might be remaining, and dry any leftover water in the pipe with a towel or rag. Put on a fresh piece of plumber’s tape so that the showerhead screws on tightly when you’re done cleaning it.

5. Put Your Shower Back Together

When you’re ready to finish the job, grab your trusty wrench and towel, screw the showerhead back onto the arm, and enjoy the bliss of stronger pressure and cleaner water.