Our moms and grannies use baking soda to make delicious pies and cakes, and it has also been used for various skin care remedies for centuries. But in the past few years, it has been discovered that this white powdery thing has some magic in it that will clean all the dirty areas of your home. Homemakers and maids use this small ingredient from the kitchen and mix it with other cleaning agents like vinegar and dishwasher to make a homemade cleanser for the fridge, oven, windows, and many other things.
Moreover, you can also use this to tackle your annoying, dull, and grimy showerhead. It's time to get out of that awful situation when you are standing in the shower and watching a low water stream from the showerhead or, worse, not having pressure at all, just a low dribble.
In this blog, learn how to clean a shower head with baking soda in three different DIY ways, which are easy and quick. But, firstly, let us jump into the quick science tidbits that will clear your mind about using baking soda in household cleaning.
Why Is Baking Soda Used To Clean Shower Heads?
Baking soda is the common name of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), a naturally occurring che mnb5vmical compound. Egyptians used it in the rising of bread, doughnuts, and cakes and hence called it baking soda, but years later, it was found to be the best cleaning agent. They also used it to clean mummies.
Baking soda is effective in cleaning due to its slightly basic PH balance, so we combine it with vinegar to clean dirt and grime from any surface. It also helps in odor cancellation by neutralizing acids in your air. Moreover, you can use it for pest control. Baking soda can kill bugs like cockroaches and ants. Pour powder in the corners of cabinets or heat at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. It will release carbon dioxide that fails the organs of hard-shelled bugs effectively.
How Bad is Your Showerhead Condition?
Firstly you will need to figure out the level of blockage of your showerhead. It will help you to choose the DIY method, deep or simple & quick method, and also indicates whether you need to remove the showerhead from the shower arm or not.
If most of the nozzles are clear and the water is still coming out, then there is no need to remove the showerhead; you can opt for Method number 1 (Ziplock Bag) written below. And if the water flow is restricted and there is a lot of mineral or limescale buildup, you'll have to go for Method number 2 or 3 (Deep Cleaning).
3 DIY Tips to Clean a Showerhead with Baking Soda
To keep your water pressure steady and prevent limescale build-up, clean your showerhead thoroughly at least once a month. Here is a list of things you'll need for 3 DIY showerhead cleaning.
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Dishwashing liquid
- Coca Cola
- Ziplock bag (1 quart)
- Rubber band
- Towel or clean cloth
- Toothbrush
- Toothpick
- Wrench or Adjustable Pliers
DIY Method 1 (Ziplock)
This method is for a less dirty and grimy showerhead. In a Ziploc bag, add ½ cup of vinegar, two tablespoons of baking soda, and 4 to 5 drops of dishwashing liquid. Hold the Ziplock bag around the showerhead, and tie it with a thread or rubber band. Leave it for 4-6 hours or overnight for better results. Don't panic when the solution foams up; that's what it's supposed to do.
Remove the bag carefully, and wipe all solutions with a piece of cloth or towel. Turn the water on to flush the solution from the showerhead. This method effectively works with all types of showers.
DIY Method 2 (Deep Cleaning)
If the showerhead is completely clogged and the mineral deposits are beyond the zip lock method's power, try this deep cleaning method.
Step 1:
You'll need to remove the showerhead from the joint. Unscrew the shower arm by using a wrench or adjustable pliers. You can also use your hand to unscrew this if not over-tight. Use a towel to protect the wall and shower arm from damage.
Step 2:
Rinse the showerhead with a sharp blast of water in the sink by holding it upside down. It will loosen the debris and take it out through the opening of the shower arm. You can also rinse it with white vinegar.
Step 3:
Make a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda, two tablespoons vinegar, and one teaspoon of the dishwasher liquid, and mix it with a spoon. It will form a thick paste. Rub and scrub the nozzles with the help of a toothbrush. Don't rush; rub it slowly to remove all the limescale buildup. Leave it for 3-5 mins. Use a toothpick or safety pin to poke out the additional deposits in the rubber nozzles.
Step 4:
Rinse the showerhead with clean water until all the solutions and deposits come out. Dry it with a clean cloth or towel and make it ready to install again.
Here is a tip for you! Change the Teflon tape and wrap a new one around the shower arm's threads for a better seal. Reinstall a showerhead by using a wrench or adjustable pliers. Don't forget to protect the fixtures with a towel.
DIY Method 3 (Super Cleaning)
What is better than a combo of extra cheese pizza with Coca-Cola? Mouth-watering, right, but what if we say that Coca-Cola can help you clean some of your bathroom fixtures? Yes, it's right! The ingredients in it can remove rust and dirt particles from the showerhead and also un-clogged the nozzles.
Coca-Cola has citric acid, phosphoric acid, and tartaric acid. All of these acids worked well with baking powder to fight against limescale and dirt deposits.
In this method, you'll need to pour Coca-Cola into a bowl, add a teaspoon of baking powder, and then dip the showerhead in it. After drenching it in coke solution, rinse it with water. And reinstall it with the same method discussed above.
Lastly, if you are experiencing low pressure even with a clean shower, it's time to invest in a well-performing showerhead. We suggest you buy a showerhead with an anodized aluminium plate with laser-cut holes that don't allow mineral build-up. Enjoy relaxing and rejuvenating showers with the best showerhead.
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