It might seem odd that a plumber would post a blog with a do-it-yourself solution for a clogged shower head, but we here at Five Star Plumbing get it. People need to save money these days, so if they can fix something themselves, why wouldn’t they? There is a way you can unclog your shower head (and sink faucets, for that matter) if the buildup isn’t too bad. This will increase your water pressure and extend the life of the plumbing fixture. Here’s how to do it.
1. Grab a Freezer Bag
Grab a one-gallon freezer bag to start. A freezer bag is stronger and thicker than a sandwich bag, and the one-gallon size will hold the natural cleaning solution. Why go natural? Over-the-counter products that boast of mineral and lime removal are filled with toxic and dangerous chemicals that could not only harm your household but also pollute the groundwater once they’re washed down the drain.
2. Mix it Up
Set the freezer bag on the bathroom counter and mix 1 cup of white vinegar and 1/3 cup of baking soda inside the bag. Let your kids help because they’ll love how the solution bubbles. You can have an impromptu science class in your bathroom. Vinegar is an acid, and baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. When the two are combined, they create carbon dioxide, the gas that makes it fizz.
3. Hang it Up
Take the bag and attach it to your clogged shower head. You can use a rubber band or binder clips to secure the bag, and you want to make certain you hang the bag high enough so that the shower head itself is immersed in the vinegar and baking soda solution. This is the most important part. The shower head (or faucet if you are cleaning your sink faucets) must remain in the cleaning solution at all times.
4. Soak the Showerhead Overnight
Leave the shower head soaking in the baking soda and vinegar all night. This gives the solution a chance to eat away at the gunk that has accumulated on the showerhead. This includes lime, hard-water minerals, and dirt. Once you wake up in the morning, remove the bag and send its contents down the drain.
5. Clean your Showerhead
Wipe down your shower head. For tough grime, use a toothbrush to help remove the loosened deposits. If necessary, mix a little more baking soda and vinegar in a bowl and use that for added cleaning power. Once everything looks squeaky clean, rinse the shower head and run it for a few minutes to clear out the clogs.
If that didn’t work, you have something else going on, and it’s time to call Five Star Plumbing. We have two locations, one in San Antonio, TX. Contact us today!
