Clean a Heavily Clogged Up Shower Head

Mineral deposits are the scourge of water fixtures, and eventually faucets and shower heads will succumb. Cleaning your clogged shower head is easy, but the process may take an overnight soaking.

Steps

 * 1) Mineral deposits collect in the fine mesh and holes of your Shower Head's screening material and disk, disrupting water flow. In order to clean the hardened lime and particulate matter unscrew the swivel ball nut that holds the Shower Head to the mounting collar and remove it. The internal parts will come apart easily, but getting the Shower Head off the pipe may require a wrench.
 * 2) Before you disassemble the Shower Head, make a note of how it went together so you can reassemble it once the parts have been cleaned. The washer will seat with a specific orientation, so be sure to note which way it was turned.
 * 3) Completely immerse the disassembled parts in white vinegar or a lime cleaning solution. If you see a large buildup of lime, heat the vinegar in the microwave beforehand until it's hot to the touch. The cleaning process will probably take five or six hours, so plan on performing the repair when the shower won't be needed. Most of the lime will dissolve, although there may be residue caught in the screen's mesh, imbedded in the threads, and in the small holes around the disk.
 * If, after soaking, you discover that some areas still need some attention, scrub stubborn deposits with a small wire brush or the straightened end of a paper clip. Soak the parts again for a few minutes and rinse.
 * 1) Use your diagram to reassemble the Shower Head, applying silicone grease to the threads. Turn the water on and inspect for leaks.
 * 2) In order to keep your Shower Head flowing freely, plan on making this a yearly chore. This procedure will also work on faucets, toilets, and your refrigerator's water dispenser. If you can't immerse an object in vinegar, saturate a cloth and wrap it around the area you want to clean.

Things You'll Need

 * For this job, it will be useful to have a:
 * small wire brush or old toothbrush
 * a wrench
 * screwdriver
 * cleaning solution like white vinegar or lime remover
 * a cotton cloth
 * silicone grease
 * a pencil
 * notepad.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Clean Shower Glass Doors
 * How to Clean a Shower
 * How to Prevent and Clean Mold on Plastic Shower Curtains
 * How to Clean Soap Scum from Glass Shower Doors
 * How to Clean a Shower/Tub the Easy Way

Sources and Citations

 * Some information cited from http://www.showerheadresource.com