Quick Shower Head Fix

[retiredguy123]

I know some will tell me to buy a water softener or new shower head. I don't want either. I actually like the cheap shower head installed by the builder. But, the other day, I stood in the shower for about 2 minutes with a sewing needle and a flashlight. I stuck the needle into each shower head hole and wiggled it. It is amazing how much better the shower head works now.

[Kenswing]

I know some will tell me to buy a water softener or new shower head. I don't want either. I actually like the cheap shower head installed by the builder. But, the other day, I stood in the shower for about 2 minutes with a sewing needle and a flashlight. I stuck the needle into each shower head hole and wiggled it. It is amazing how much better the shower head works now.
I just pull ours off and soak it in vinegar for a couple of hours.

[Fredman]

White vinegar

[JohnN]

Vinegar is good. I had some CLR and put some in a big cup - and put the showerhead in that, soaked it overnight and the showerhead was like new.

[Papa_lecki]

CLR - get it at a hardware store (i bet grocery stores have it)

[villagetinker]

A paper clip that has been straightened out works well for these as well as the typical sink spray head.

[2newyorkers]

Unscrew it and soak in vinegar for about 6 hours. Simple.

[Garywt]

That’s can happen anywhere. I use bleach or tilex to clean ours.

[Topspinmo]

CLR, find bowl/cup size of the head. Soak it, done.

[Rosebud2020]

You don't even have to remove the showerhead.
Put vinegar in a plastic bag and tie the bag onto the showerhead with a twistie, rubber band or string.
Leave it for a few hours and viola!
Problem solved!

[Eg_cruz]

If you are like and don’t want to unscrew it (can be a pain) put vinegar or CRL in a baggie and tie it around the shower head and soak for hours or over night.

[thevillages2013]

You don't even have to remove the showerhead.
Put vinegar in a plastic bag and tie the bag onto the showerhead with a twistie, rubber band or string.
Leave it for a few hours and viola!
Problem solved!

Anyone using this method should be aware that the straight vinegar will bleach out fiberglass showers or tubs if spilled on them

[J1ceasar]

Toothpick...

[La lamy]

You don't even have to remove the showerhead.
Put vinegar in a plastic bag and tie the bag onto the showerhead with a twistie, rubber band or string.
Leave it for a few hours and viola!
Problem solved!

:bigbow:

[dewilson58]

I know some will tell me to buy a water softener or new shower head. I don't want either. I actually like the cheap shower head installed by the builder. But, the other day, I stood in the shower for about 2 minutes with a sewing needle and a flashlight. I stuck the needle into each shower head hole and wiggled it. It is amazing how much better the shower head works now.
Next time, video it.


You may have pushed the crap back into the head............the issue might come back quickly. May need to use a dissolve it next time.

[richs631]

I know some will tell me to buy a water softener or new shower head. I don't want either. I actually like the cheap shower head installed by the builder. But, the other day, I stood in the shower for about 2 minutes with a sewing needle and a flashlight. I stuck the needle into each shower head hole and wiggled it. It is amazing how much better the shower head works now.

I’m not part of the builders cult by the plumbing fixtures that they use are far superior than any other builder I ever used and I had 3 houses built by different builders

[Catalina36]

Remove the shower head (very simple task) and soak it in a small bucket or large bowl of white vinegar for several hours, and shake it around as it is soaking. You will be very surprised with the results. The shower head will be like new.

[DAVES]

What can you put down it?

The more STUFF we buy, the more we need the repair guy. Washing machine? If, you buy one of the wiz bang ones that sort of washes your clothes but plays music and makes breakfast-buy the service contract.

[DAVES]

Toothpick...

Re: using a toothpick
I would find something better than that. If, it breaks off, you will have at best a problem getting it out.

[merrymini]

Do not know how the garbage disposal stuff got put on this post but never use it and had it removed. It is very polluting to our water. Compost your coffee grinds and raw vegetables. Easy to get information on how to do it. If there are so many things you cannot put into a disposal, why use it at all? My vote is for vinegar for the shower head cheap and no long lasting chemicals. Good advice.

[loufromnewjersey]

Safety pin

[OhioBuckeye]

I just pull ours off and soak it in vinegar for a couple of hours.

Yes soak in vinegar that will work or CLR. Vinegar is cheaper!

[Decadeofdave]

CLR or vinegar to clean
Also: first thing I do when I buy a new shower head is to remove the restrictor to get full power

[daveac83]

I know some will tell me to buy a water softener or new shower head. I don't want either. I actually like the cheap shower head installed by the builder. But, the other day, I stood in the shower for about 2 minutes with a sewing needle and a flashlight. I stuck the needle into each shower head hole and wiggled it. It is amazing how much better the shower head works now.

If you have the head with little rubber nozzles, you can massage them while the shower is spraying and much of the calcium deposits will flush out. Vinegar soaking also works well.

[Marjorie Hardman]

Just bought CLR at Publix.

[PugMom]

once a week i use Lime-Away; spray it into the shower head, let sit a few seconds, then scrub with a hard bristle brush. thx for sharing other ideas!!

[barblopps]

Soak in white vinegar and when debris is loosened, scrub with an old toothbrush.

[Lenore1752]

A quick and tried and true method.. unscrew it and let it sit in vinegar, or if you can’t unscrew, put vinegar in a ziplock back, put it on the shower head and zip it as much as you can as long as those holes are covered.

[dadoiron]

I know some will tell me to buy a water softener or new shower head. I don't want either. I actually like the cheap shower head installed by the builder. But, the other day, I stood in the shower for about 2 minutes with a sewing needle and a flashlight. I stuck the needle into each shower head hole and wiggled it. It is amazing how much better the shower head works now.

You can also soak it in CLR and it will last longer.

[RocketRon]

tie a bag with a rubberband and filled with vinegar around the shower head...wait about an hour - problem solved!!!

[rphil11ort]

soak it in vinegar

[goodwillie]

Unscrew it and soak in Vinegar water It will loosen the sediment in the holes and use your sink sprayer to blow it out of the holes.

[wjones53]

I know some will tell me to buy a water softener or new shower head. I don't want either. I actually like the cheap shower head installed by the builder. But, the other day, I stood in the shower for about 2 minutes with a sewing needle and a flashlight. I stuck the needle into each shower head hole and wiggled it. It is amazing how much better the shower head works now.

I have had the same problem over the years. (We have been here 10 1/2). My solution is to fill a zip lock back with straight white vinegar, attach it over the shower head and secure with a rubber band . I usually leave it overnight and when I turn on the shower next morning I’m reminded to take it off. 😃

[Joanne19335]

You don't even have to remove the showerhead.
Put vinegar in a plastic bag and tie the bag onto the showerhead with a twistie, rubber band or string.
Leave it for a few hours and viola!
Problem solved!

This is what I do and I HAVE a water softener. My shower head is attached with plumbers' tape and is difficult to remove. In fact, my plumber recommended that I do this and not remove the shower head.

[Topspinmo]

This is what I do and I HAVE a water softener. My shower head is attached with plumbers' tape and is difficult to remove. In fact, my plumber recommended that I do this and not remove the shower head.


Evidently you may have pipe threads which seals by taper on threads which notorious for dripping. Why plumber’s Teflon tape and goo was invented to stop the drip. My shower outlet pipes are straight threaded sticking out Of wall and seal by big rubber compression seal inside the shower head.

[stebooo]

You can also take off and let it soak in some solvent to dissolve the calcium

[pgettinger01]

Here are some things you can do instead of a using needle one hole at a time. You can use Calcium, Line, and Rust (CLR) in a bowl or vinegar and lemon juice in a bowl.

[PatriciaFaheySimms]

Tie a baggie of vinegar around it and soak for an hour. It dissolves the calcium/mineral build up.

[NancyLee]

Hello, I think you may need Teflon Plumber's tape to seal the shower head again if you remove the head to clean it.

[retiredguy123]

After reading all the posts about soaking the shower head, I filled a plastic bag with CLR, and tied it around the shower head. It was not easy because my shower head is about 6 inches in diameter. The next day, the shower functioned about the same because I had already cleaned out the holes with a sewing needle. So, I think both methods work, but if you are in a hurry, the sewing needle method is very fast, cheap, and easy to do.

[CWGUY]

:icon_wink: Hey..... did anyone mention vinegar might work? :duck: Sorry