How to Improve Flow in Shower Heads

Improve shower head flow with routine cleaning.

A shower head that trickles out water is typically blocked by an accumulation of mineral deposits that block the shower head's holes. Calcium, magnesium, chloride and fluoride are a handful of common minerals that can clog your shower head and lower the shower head's ability to properly dispense water during a shower. All-natural cleaning products eliminate shower head buildup and are safe to use on the shower head as they do not damage the shower head's finish.

Things You'll Need

• Abrasive sponge
• Distilled white vinegar
• Plastic bag
• Twist tie
• Wrench
• Pliers

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Instructions

1. Wet an abrasive sponge with warm water, and scrub off visible grime on the holes of the shower head.

2. Pour 1/2 cup of vinegar into a plastic bag, and mix in 1/2 cup of warm water.

3. Place the plastic bag over the shower head to submerge the shower head in the solution.

4. Wrap a twist tie around the shower head to tie the plastic bag to the shower head.

5. Remove the plastic bag after one hour has passed, and turn on the hot water to rinse off the shower head.

Tips & Warnings

• The Waterpik website recommends cleaning out the shower head's filter screen. To do so, remove your shower head from the shower's faucet by unscrewing it with a wrench, and pull out the faucet's filter screen with a pair of pliers. Rinse the filter with hot water to remove deposits, and place it back in the faucet. Screw the shower head back on to restore use of your shower head.

References

• Good Housekeeping: How to Quickly Clean a Dirty Shower
• WaterPik: Top 3 Tips for Cleaning Your Shower Head; Craig F.; December 2010