How to Clean a Shower Head with Vinegar & Other Methods

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House cleaning professional Amy Mikhaiel explains how to use vinegar to clean your shower head

Co-authored by Amy Mikhaiel and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: March 13, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Using Vinegar
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• Other Cleaning Methods
|
• Why clean a shower head?
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• How Often to Clean It
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• Video
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• Expert Q&A

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It's important to clean your shower head once in a while; otherwise, mineral deposits from water can build up in the holes of your shower head, preventing water from flowing correctly and potentially leading to mold and bacteria growth. Luckily, it’s easy to clean your shower head with products you probably already have at home. We interviewed house cleaning professionals to teach you how to clean your shower head with vinegar and other cleaning products. We’ll also explain why you should clean your shower head and how often you should do so.

Expert Tips for Cleaning a Shower Head

House cleaning professional Amy Mikhaiel says to fill a plastic bag with vinegar and baking soda. Place the bag over the shower head so that it’s completely submerged, then tie the top of the bag so it stays on the shower head. Let it soak for at least an hour, then run the shower to remove the vinegar smell.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

How to Clean a Shower Head with Vinegar

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1. 
   1
   Soak the shower head in a bag of white vinegar and baking soda for a basic cleaning. Pour enough white vinegar into a plastic bag so that it will completely cover the shower head. Add about ⅓ cup (91 g) of baking soda for every cup (236.5 mL) of vinegar you use. Mikhaiel says to tie the bag around the shower head (using a zip tie, rubber band, etc.) and let it soak.

   • Let the shower head soak for at least an hour before you remove the bag. The longer you let it soak, the cleaner it will get.
   • When you’re done, throw out the vinegar and plastic bag and run your shower until it no longer smells like vinegar. It should run more efficiently.
   • Make sure the bag is free of holes and is strong enough to support the weight of the vinegar for an extended period of time.
   • If any gunk remains after soaking, Mikhaiel says to scrub the shower head with a toothbrush.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Amy Mikhaiel is a cleaning guru and the CEO of Amy’s Angels Cleaning Inc., a residential and commercial cleaning company in Los Angeles, CA.

   Raymond Chiu is a house cleaning professional and the owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, offering affordable residential and office cleaning services.

   Fabricio Ferraz is a house cleaning professional and the co-owner and operator of Hire a Cleaning, a family-owned cleaning service based in San Francisco, CA.
2. 
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   Submerge it in a tub of vinegar for a deep cleaning. Follow the instructions in your shower head’s manual to disconnect it from the shower. Find a tub or container large enough to hold the shower head and fill it with enough white vinegar to completely submerge the shower head. For every cup (236.5 mL) of vinegar you use, add ⅓ cup (91 g) of baking soda. House cleaning professional Raymond Chiu says, “Allow the shower head to be submerged for at least 1 hour, and longer if the shower head needs extra attention.” Then, rinse it with water from your sink for about 30 seconds.

   • Many shower heads simply twist off, but yours may be different. You may need to remove the filter screen before submerging it. Consult your owner’s manual to do so properly.
   • If it still looks dirty after soaking, gently scrub clogged nozzles with an old toothbrush or soft nylon brush. Carefully push a pin or needle through each hole to make sure it’s clear.
   • When you reinstall your shower head, let it run for a few minutes to remove any remaining vinegar or debris.
   • If you don’t have white vinegar, Chiu says, “Apple cider vinegar is a great cleaning agent for the shower head in your home.”
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3. 
   3
   Spot clean your shower head with a toothbrush dipped in vinegar. Disconnect your shower head from the shower following the instructions in your owner’s manual. Dip an old toothbrush or a soft rag in white vinegar and scrub the shower head, paying special attention to the small holes the water flows through. When you’re done, rinse the shower head with water from the sink, then reconnect it. Let the shower run for a few minutes to get rid of the lingering vinegar smell.

   • If you don’t want to use vinegar, house cleaning professional Fabricio Ferraz says you can just use water.
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Section 2 of 4:

Other Ways to Clean a Shower Head

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1. 
   1
   Descale your shower head with a lime scale remover. If your shower head has hard, stubborn mineral deposits (like calcium or lime), use a lime scale remover like CLR or Simple Green to descale it. Follow the instructions on the product to apply it properly.
2. 
   2
   Use a rust remover to clean off rust stains. If your shower head is rusty, use a rust-removing agent, such as Bar Keeper’s Friend, to wipe off rust stains. Follow the product's instructions to apply it properly, and scrub the shower head with a toothbrush or scouring pad to remove persistent rust.
3. 
   3
   Wipe down the exterior with a basic cleaning agent. Use a shower cleaning agent like 409 or Scrubbing Bubbles on the exterior of your shower head. Spray the solution on a cloth or toothbrush (for those hard-to-reach places) and clean by hand.

   • Ferraz recommends using a product called Method for everyday cleaning, as it’s affordable and BPA-free.
4. 
   4
   Scrub the filter screen with a toothbrush. Cleaning the filter screen will help clear mineral deposits. It’s located behind your shower head, near the pipe. To reach it, take the showerhead off the wall, following the instructions in your owner’s manual. Remove the filter screen, which is usually small and circular. Run it under water for a few minutes, then scrub any debris away with an old toothbrush (use a vinegar and baking soda solution for extra cleaning power). Put it back on the shower head, then reattach the shower head, once again following the instructions in your manual.
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Section 3 of 4:

Why should you clean your shower head?

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1. Cleaning your shower head keeps it running at full capacity. Water and soap residue build up over time, clogging the holes the water passes through. Paired with the hot, humid environment of the shower, the mineral deposits in these clogs can lead to bacteria and mold growth. “You have to make sure [your shower head] is really clean because it is going to clean your head every single day,” explains Ferraz. You don’t want to wash yourself with dirty water!

Section 4 of 4:

How often should you clean your shower head?

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1. Deep clean your shower head about once a month. It’s a good idea to give your shower head a quick wipe down every time you use it, but in general, you only need to deep clean it about once a month. However, if you notice buildup, you’ll need to clean it more often.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How often should you clean a shower head?

  

  Fabricio Ferraz
  House Cleaning Professional

  Fabricio Ferraz is the Co-Owner and Operator of Hire a Cleaning. Hire a Cleaning is a family owned and operated business that has been serving San Francisco, California homes for over 10 years.

  

  Fabricio Ferraz

  House Cleaning Professional

  Expert Answer

  Try to get in the habit of wiping down the shower head with a cleaner every day.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
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• Question

  How do you get rid of orange water stains in your shower?

  

  Andrii Gurskyi
  House Cleaning Professional

  Andrii Gurskyi is the owner and founder of Rainbow Cleaning Service, a New York City cleaning company specializing in apartments, homes, and moving cleanup using non-toxic and artificial fragrance free cleaning solutions. Founded in 2010, Andrii and Rainbow Cleaning Service has served over 35,000 customers.

  

  Andrii Gurskyi

  House Cleaning Professional

  Expert Answer

  Scrub down the stains with a mixture of white vinegar and hot water. This won't always work 100%, but it's definitely the most eco-friendly option. You can also tackle the stains with a chlorine bleach solution—just be sure to air out the room afterward.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4

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