Things to clean in the bathroom: Toilet, sink, mirror, countertops, floors, rugs, shower. But another item, often overlooked, is your showerhead.

While your showerhead doesn’t come into contact with much other than water and possibly soap, cleaning it should be an important part of cleaning your bathroom. Water and mineral buildup on the showerhead can slow water flow and reduce water pressure. Plus, it can also serve as a breeding ground for bacteria.

If you’re not cleaning your showerhead regularly, you may be facing calcium, hard water, and mold buildup, leading to clogs and even damage to your hair. Read on to learn about how to clean your showerhead and how often to do it.

Cleaning your showerhead doesn’t have to be as hard as it may seem. In fact, there are a few easy and effective methods.
 

 
ROUTINE CLEAN
Keep a diluted mix of distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle so you can spray and wipe your showerhead during your regular bathroom cleaning. Doing this routinely can reduce the number of times you need to deep clean.
 

 
DEEP CLEAN
You’ll need these items:

• Gallon-size plastic bag
• ½ cup baking soda
• 4 cups distilled white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• Zip ties or rubber bands

Start by adding the baking soda to the plastic bag and then slowly pour the vinegar into the bag. Continue adding the vinegar until it’s fully mixed and settled, and then add the water. Angle the showerhead down and fully submerge every water jet into the cleaner, then securely tie the bag around the neck of the showerhead. If the bag is too heavy, pour a little bit out into your shower.

Allow the cleaner to soak for up to four hours, or even overnight. When finished, you can pour the cleaner down the drain and use a cloth to wipe the surface of the showerhead and wash away any remaining buildup.

If you find that your showerhead has a more stubborn or problematic buildup, such as limescale, you’ll need to put in a little more effort. Gather these supplies:

• A cleaning cloth
• Pliers
• Wrench
• Bowl
• Distilled white vinegar
• Needle or paper clip

Carefully remove the showerhead by wrapping the shower feed pipe with a rag and using pliers to hold it in place. Then, use a wrench to loosen the nut that connects the showerhead to the feed pipe. Once loosened, use your hands to completely unscrew the showerhead.

Start by checking the threaded part inside the showerhead and flushing it with water or removing debris with your finger. Then, remove the filter screen inside the showerhead with a pair of pliers. Clean it with water or a cleaning brush and soap.

Next, place the showerhead in a bowl of warm vinegar. Let it soak overnight. Use a needle or paper clip to unclog any holes in the showerhead that may still be blocked.

Once complete, you can reinstall the filter screen and reattach the showerhead. Run the shower for a few minutes to clear away any remaining debris or gunk.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY SHOWERHEAD?

• Routinely clean your showerhead once a week.
• Deep clean your showerhead at least once a month to remove water buildup, mineral deposits, and soap scum.