How to Clean Blocked Showerheads

Clean blocked shoerhead

How to Clean Blocked Showerheads

By : angelina
Clogged showerheads are common sights in bathrooms because the fixtures are not part of everyone’s regular cleaning routine. These fixtures gather deposits due to water having naturally occurring concentrations of metals and minerals. The salinity and quality of water in your area affect shower heads, as hard water makes mineral deposits gather fast in them. Thus, you must descale the fixtures frequently. If you don’t, water can spray in different directions, drip rather than come out in a uniform stream or stop altogether. A dirty shower head during the final rental inspection can also make you lose your bond. Therefore, hire professionals performing quality bond cleaning Ipswich to deep clean your rental property and get your bond back completely. But, follow these expert tips to generally maintain the proper functionality & structural integrity of the showerhead in your bathroom.

Give It A Good Scrub

A shower head accumulates mineral deposits and biofilm to which bacteria, viruses and fungi stick. They make the fixture look cloudy with black, green or orange residues and smell bad. Thus, you should scrub the showerhead with a soap and water solution to dislodge the contaminants and prevent stubborn build-up. Many showerheads have removable covers which you can take off and clean with a brush. After scrubbing:
  • Wash with warm water and place the cover back on the showerhead.
  • Run hot water to remove the remaining buildup or contaminants.
  • If a good scrub doesn’t improve the water flow, follow this next step to descale the showerhead.

    Descale With White Vinegar

    The acetic acid in white vinegar is effective against mineral deposits like limescale, rust, etc. Since it is natural and non-toxic, even professionals performing green bond cleaning in Ipswich use it. All you need to do is fill a plastic bag with vinegar and put it around the showerhead to dip the fixture. Secure the bag on the pipe with a rubber band and let the solution soak the showerhead for at least 3-4 hours. Next, remove the bag and scrub the fixture with a tooth or a narrow brush. After scrubbing, turn on the shower with hot water to remove residues and unclog the holes. If the showerhead is removable, take it off the pipe and put it in a container with white vinegar and repeat the process of scrubbing and washing after screwing it back on the pipe. To dislodge mineral deposits entirely and ensure the shower has a steady stream, run hot water from the fixture for 2-3 minutes. If it doesn’t work correctly even after thorough cleaning and descaling, get the showerhead inspected by a plumber to see it needs replacement.

    Clean Shower Head Without Vinegar

    While cleaning the showerhead with white vinegar is a tried and tested method, if you want to do it without the natural cleaner, here are other ways to sanitise the fixtures & keep them free og germs that cause infectious and communicable diseases.
  • Use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to make a paste. Apply it to the showerhead generously and leave for 20-30 minutes. Afterwards, scrub gently with a brush and wash with warm water. Turn on the water to unclog the holes and have a clean shower head in a few minutes.
  • Make a 50-50 solution of bleach and water in a container if the showerhead is removable or in a plastic bag if it’s not. Ensure the fixture remains immersed in the solution for 5-10 minutes before you wash it with warm water. To remove the bleach smell, wash the showerhead with soap and water.
  • Clean the showerhead with baking soda and water paste, as baking soda can treat light rust and mineral stains on thin metal surfaces. Apply the paste to the showerhead generously and let it dwell for 30-45 minutes. Next, scrub gently with a brush & wash with warm water. This method will also remove smells from the fixture because baking soda is a natural deodoriser.
  • Hire Professional Cleaners

    Don’t hesitate to hire professional bond cleaners in Ipswich when the showerhead and other fixtures in your bathroom, kitchen or other rooms are heavily soiled, and you don’t have the time or resources necessary to clean them adequately. Experienced cleaners bring quality products, tools and equipment and use them with professional techniques to get the best results. Thus, your chances of getting your bond back in full are high when they clean your rental property.

    The Bottom Line

    Showerheads are one of the most overlooked fixtures during bathroom cleaning, making them hot-spots for germs, mineral deposits and grime. If they remain dirty for long, the mineral deposits weaken the structural integrity and mar the appearance of the fixtures. Thus, follow the tips shared above to routinely clean the showerhead in your bathroom. Additionally, take professional assistance from quality bond cleaners in Ipswich to return your rental property in pristine condition at the end of a tenancy.