![Shower head running water](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210814184942im_/https://media.angi.com/s3fs-public/styles/widescreen_large/s3/s3fs-public/shower-head-running.jpg?nTXFrF_7BHqNUObXVW_KJcWrSMjdiCEz&itok=coYqbDdF)
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You can clean a showerhead by submerging it in a mixture of vinegar and baking soda
While it seems like your showerhead should always be the cleanest thing in your household—it's what gets you clean, after all—even it can get dirty due to the gradual build-up of grime and mineral deposits. Eventually, these foreign substances will affect the showerhead’s performance, leading to a weaker flow and making it more difficult to rinse off.
Whether you’ve got a special rain showerhead or a standard model, clogged showerheads are no fun. Fortunately, cleaning them isn't as hard as you might think.
Project difficulty score: 1/5
Time needed to complete the project: 15 minutes of work, 1-8 hours of downtime
Tools and materials needed: Vinegar, baking soda, plastic bag, rubber band
How to Unclog a Showerhead on the Wall
Figuring out how to clean a showerhead that is attached to your wall can leave you scratching your head. Luckily, this method will help you get a deep clean.
Step 1: Get Vinegar and Baking Soda
The most important ingredient is vinegar, which does a great job of cutting through grime because of its acidic qualities. Baking soda is also important for cleaning showerheads because of its basic pH balance, which neutralizes the acid from the vinegar. By combining these two substances, you're creating a powerful, time-tested cleaning solution. Use three parts vinegar to one part baking soda.
Step 2: Combine
Combine the baking soda and vinegar and put it in a plastic bag.
Step 3: Tie the Bag to the Showerhead
Wrap the bag around the showerhead to be sure you completely submerge it in the solution. Use a rubber band to secure the bag to the pipe where the showerhead is attached.
Step 4: Leave, Then Remove the Bag
Leave the bag there for at least an hour (overnight if possible) to fully soak. Then remove the bag and let the shower run for a few minutes to get all of the solution out.
How to Unclog a Showerhead by Detaching It
![Cleaning shower head (Photo by IvanSemenovych - stock.adobe.com)](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20210814184942im_/https://media.angi.com/s3fs-public/styles/structured_-_full_width_image/s3/s3fs-public/cleaning-shower-head.jpg?3lsaGm9xe4H3OhZqt0Ruuz5.dii_HmHk&itok=zm1qgeDm)
(Photo By IvanSemenovych - stock.adobe.com)
If you’re able to detach the showerhead from the wall, you can take a different approach to clean it.
Step 1: Remove the Showerhead
Detach the showerhead from the fixture. You can probably do this by loosening the nut that keeps it fixed to the pipe and then unscrewing the head.
Step 2: Rinse the Showerhead Thoroughly
Run the showerhead under a faucet so that you can rinse as much debris and grime out as possible.
Step 3: Combine
Combine baking soda and vinegar in a large enough container to completely submerge the showerhead. Again, use three parts vinegar to one part baking soda.
Step 4: Submerge, Then Let Sit
Submerge the showerhead in the solution for at least an hour, and ideally longer, especially if there is a lot of build-up. The longer it sits, the more it will loosen the grime.
Step 5: Rinse, Wipe Down, and Reinstall
Rinse the showerhead to get all the solution out and wipe it down. Then, reinstall the showerhead and run it to see if it is running better than before.
How Much Does It Cost to Clean a Showerhead?
These DIY fixes will only cost you around $10 or less, especially if you already have the tools around your home. However, if you’re still having problems with your showerhead despite multiple cleanings with the method described above, it may be time to get a professional involved.
While a pro might be able to offer a simple fix, they could also recommend you get an entirely new showerhead. The cost of replacing a showerhead is generally no more than $300, with about $100 of that going to labor.
Hopefully, that fixes the problem, but if not, you may have deeper issues with your plumbing. How much that costs will depend on what kind of plumbing issue you have, but generally, you can expect to pay $45 to $200 per hour, and the average cost for a job is $330.
Rather than try to handle shower repairs on your own, you can contact a shower repair professional near you to inspect your plumbing. They can conduct a consultation and provide you with a quote.