How to Remove Shower head Bacteria

Shower head bacteria may be lurking right above you every morning as you lift your face to enjoy 'washing away' the previous day and night's sleep. Instead you may be breathing in dangerous 'opportunistic microbes' according to a just published study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The bacteria, especially non-tuberculosis micro bacteria which may cause respiratory infection, exists in amounts greater than one hundred times that of the background water. It grows rapidly on a film of slime that collects on many shower heads.

Though healthy people need not fear, people with weakened immune systems from any source should take caution by following these steps.

Instructions

1. SET YOUR WATER HEATER TO 60 DEGREES CELCIUS or 140 DEGREES FARENHEIT.

   This will help eliminate a certain kind of micro bacteria known to lead to Legionaires disease.

2. RUN PURE HOT WATER FOR SEVERAL MINUTES THROUGH THE SHOWER HEAD.

   Once a month or so, run purely hot water through the shower head to flush and eliminate (by heat) the gathering of micro bacteria.

3. REMOVE YOUR SHOWER HEAD AND CLEAN IT.

   Though many experts aren't suggesting it, it is only common sense. If a biofilm collects on the shower head, that means there is a slimy residue there. Anywhere else a 'slimy residue' collects we quickly clean. Why not clean the shower head that sprays water on your face? Simply rotate the shower head counter clockwise where it attaches to the shower pipe. Clean with a chlorine based cleanser or a water diluted chlorox and rinse very thoroughly. Re-attach and shower with security.

4. REPLACE YOUR SHOWER HEAD EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS.

   Really, shower heads aren't that expensive. Just go buy a new one (preferably metal with a filter) and get rid of the old one that has accumulated microbes. Cleansing with chlorine prevents massive build up, but eventually an old shower head will simply grow the bacteria back.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to fully rinse the shower head before replacing it to remove all harsh cleansing agents.

• Use plumber's tape wrapped around the thread to stop any leaking at the shower head.