Home Care Challenge: Easy Cleaning Hack for Better Water Pressure

Clean and Remove Sediment from Shower Heads and Faucets.

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Oh man, the last two weeks have been a doozy.
We’ve hosted my in-laws, had a brief few days of reprieve, and then my parents arrived.
On top of that, our youngest had an ear tube fall out, which led to an ear infection, while our oldest came down with the flu—complete with a 106-degree fever, an urgent care visit, and a follow-up when the fever persisted for over five days, ranging between 101-103 degrees.
Oh, and it was his birthday weekend.
Slowly but surely, everyone in the house has had some sort of illness—except me (somehow, I lucked out). But that meant I was on full-time nurse duty, and let me tell you, this mama is tired. My hands are raw from constant handwashing, and I feel like I’ve been disinfecting everything in sight on repeat.
I need a vacation, yet I’m too exhausted to even plan one.

This Week’s Home Care Challenge

Thankfully, this week’s home care task is a simple one—set it and forget it (at least for a little while). And honestly, that’s about all I can handle right now.

However, I did run into two small hiccups:

Removing the shower head was a no-go. Maybe I could have applied more elbow grease, but in my mind, if it was that tough to get off, it was going to be just as much of a pain to put back on. No, thank you.
Using a gallon-sized Ziploc bag wasn’t the best choice. In theory, it seemed like a good idea, but in practice, it didn’t quite work as I envisioned. If you have small trash bags, I’d recommend using those instead and tying them tightly around the shower head.

We often clean our sinks and showers as part of our regular routines, but when was the last time you actually cleaned the shower or faucet head?

I’ll go first—I’ve only ever wiped them down when I could visibly see gunk around the edges. And until this year, I had never done a thorough deep clean.

After researching, I learned that mineral deposits and sediment build up in shower heads and faucets over time, reducing water flow and potentially harboring bacteria. Regular cleaning not only maintains water pressure but also extends the life of your fixtures and keeps your water as clean as possible.

How to Clean Your Shower Heads and Faucets

If, like me, you’ve never tackled this before, here’s a simple, effective way to get it done.

Supplies You’ll Need:

White vinegar
A plastic bag (small trash bags work better than Ziplocs!)
Rubber bands or zip ties
A toothbrush or small brush
A soft cloth
Baking soda (optional, for extra scrubbing power)

Step-by-Step Cleaning Instructions:

Detach and Inspect – If possible, remove the shower head or faucet aerator. This allows for a more thorough cleaning. Check for visible sediment or buildup.
Soak in Vinegar – Submerge the shower head or faucet parts in a bowl or plastic bag filled with white vinegar. Secure the bag with rubber bands or zip ties if you’re soaking them in place. Let them sit for several hours or overnight for best results.
Scrub Away Deposits – After soaking, use a toothbrush or small brush to gently scrub away any remaining mineral buildup. The vinegar should have loosened most of it, making it easier to remove.
Rinse and Reattach – Rinse everything thoroughly with water to remove any vinegar residue. Reattach the shower head or faucet aerator and run the water for a few minutes to flush out any remaining debris.
Polish the Fixture – Use a soft cloth to wipe down the exterior, leaving it clean and shiny.

How Often Should You Do This?

To keep your shower heads and faucets in top shape, aim to clean them at least twice a year. Regular maintenance helps maintain water pressure, reduces the risk of blockages, and extends the life of your fixtures.

We recently had a professional come out and clean our dryer vent for the first time in five years—and surprisingly, it wasn’t as bad as I expected! But it felt great knowing everything was super clean.

The same satisfaction comes from knocking out small maintenance tasks like this. It’s one of those things that doesn’t take much effort but makes a big difference in your home.

Happy cleaning!

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Products I used to tackle this week’s weekly home care challenge: