Cleaning your shower head is an important part of making the bathroom in your Delaware home appear sparkling and sanitary. The task can also remove the buildup of mineral deposits that may clog the plumbing fixture’s nozzle, decreasing your water pressure, and disinfect the trapped moisture that can cause bacteria to grow. By cleaning your metal or plastic shower head with non-toxic household products that break down mineral deposits and kill bacteria, you can avoid sputtering water or weak water stream during your showers and protect your family’s health.
Avoid Using Chlorine Bleach
It is recommended that you avoid using chlorine bleach or cleaning products that contain the bleach to clean a shower head. The chemical may increase the number of bacteria living inside the accessory. It is preferable to use white vinegar instead because some bacteria may be resistant to chlorine bleach.
Detach the Shower Head from the Shower Pipe
To avoid directly touching mineral deposits and bacteria, always wear rubber gloves when handling your shower accessories. When removing the shower head, cover it and the shower pipe with a cloth so that you can work without scratching the finish on any metal surfaces. Disassemble the plumbing fixture from the shower pipe by using a pipe wrench to keep the pipe steady, and use adjustable pliers to loosen the bolt, freeing the shower head from the pipe.
Unclog the Filter Screen
Detach the shower head’s components. Remove the filter screen from the interior of the shower head with a pair of tweezers. Hold the filter under a faucet and run warm water through it to remove lightweight debris before using a clean, small brush or toothbrush reserved for household cleaning to gently scrub away mineral deposits. Place the filter screen to the side to air-dry.
Soak the Remaining Components in a Basin
Place all the remaining shower head parts in a basin or bucket filled with 1 cup white vinegar, 1/3 cup baking soda, and warm water, and allow the components to soak for 30 minutes. This is an effective cleaning technique because mixing the baking soda and white vinegar results in the formation of bubbles that create carbonic acid, which acts as an abrasion against the mineral deposits and makes them easier to break away from the parts’ surfaces.
If the device’s nozzles have only a light coating of mineral deposits, you may be able to remove them by rubbing each nozzle with your finger. Stubborn mineral deposits may require added pressure, so you can scrape them away with a small brush or toothbrush. Then you should clean the white vinegar from the components by washing them with warm water and dish soap, which will eliminate the vinegar’s odor. Dry the components, reassemble them and the filter screen inside the shower head, and reattach the shower head to the pipe.
Use a Plastic Bag
An alternative to soaking the shower head parts in a basin is keeping the device attached to the pipe and covering it with a mixture-filled plastic bag, such as a zipper or sandwich bag. First fill the bag with 1/3 cup baking soda and white vinegar until it nearly reaches the top of the zipper bag, then secure the bag to the shower head with a rubber band. It is important to ensure that the shower head is completely submerged in the liquid. Allow the plumbing device to soak in the baking soda and white vinegar mixture for a few hours. You may need to do a spot-check through the plastic bag to see if any deposits remain before removing the bag. The most stubborn mineral deposits should break up with a soaking time of no more than 24 hours. After removing the bag, rinse the shower head with warm water and dish soap.
If you notice that the shower head in your Delaware home sputters water or experiences a decrease in water pressure, you can use a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar to remove mineral deposit buildup from the plumbing accessory. Disinfecting the shower head with the homemade mixture is also a great way to kill bacteria that can grow in trapped moisture. By cleaning with natural, non-toxic household products, you can use items that are readily handy, inexpensive, and safe for use around your family.
An HVAC technician can determine if sputtering water that streams from your shower head is due to mineral deposit buildup, or if it indicates a different plumbing issue, such as air in your pipes. First Class HVAC has been providing high-quality and courteous plumbing maintenance to residents in Delaware cities, including Seaford and Harbeson, and Maryland cities, including Berlin and Snow Hill, for over 40 years. Contact us today for emergency 24/7 plumbing service and competitive pricing.