QUESTION: Plumbing: how to clean a shower head and aerator from scale?

Regular maintenance of plumbing fixtures extends their service life and ensures comfortable use. Limescale on the shower head and faucet aerator reduces water pressure and can completely block some holes. For effective cleaning, you will need simple household remedies, such as regular table vinegar or citric acid, as well as a soft sponge and an old toothbrush.

First of all, make a small checklist of necessary materials and tools so as not to interrupt the process by searching for the right things. Prepare a zip-lock bag, rubber bands, an anti-scale agent or vinegar, and record the approximate cost of consumables in your home budget if you are buying professional chemicals. This will avoid unnecessary expenses and redos in the future.

To clean the aerator, carefully unscrew it from the faucet spout using pliers with soft pads so as not to scratch the chrome plating. Disassemble the mesh and rinse it under a stream of water, and then soak the parts in a warm vinegar solution for half an hour. After that, remove the remnants of softened scale with an old toothbrush and reassemble the aerator in reverse order.

The shower head can also be cleaned without disassembly if it is removable. Pour warm vinegar into the bag, put it on the shower head so as to immerse the entire shower surface in the liquid, and secure it with a rubber band at the base of the hose. Leave the structure for a couple of hours, remove the bag, thoroughly rinse the shower head with clean water, and wipe it dry with a soft cloth.