How to Unclog a Shower Head

If the water is trickling out of your shower head and rinsing your hair is almost impossible, read on to fix a stuffed up shower head.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wrench
• Container slightly larger than the showerhead
• Vinegar
• Teflon tap (optional)

Fixing the Showerhead WIthout Removing the Head

1. Decide the width of the shower head. You need to find a container slightly bigger than the head and about 4 inches tall or taller.

2. Wipe the head down with a cloth soaked in white vinegar.

3. Inspect the holes in the shower head for calcium build up. When you find thick build up use a hat pin to poke into it.

4. Fill the cup with warm white vinegar or a calcium remover, like Limeaway, and insert the head of the shower into the cup. Wait about 2 minutes, remove the cup and turn on the shower. If it's not running at full speed, reapply the vinegar or calcium remover.

Unclogging the Shower Head by Removing the Head

5. Remove the head of the shower by using a wrench to turn the nut that holds it on.

6. Heat a container full of white vinegar, slightly larger than the showerhead.

7. Insert the showerhead into the vinegar and allow to soak overnight.

8. Rinse the head and reattach. You may need to use Teflon tape around the threads before reattaching.

Tips & Warnings

• It's usually best to keep the shower head on and try to unclog it that way first. This prevents problems with reattaching and potential leaks.