Is your morning shower starting to feel more like a light drizzle? Before you call a plumber or shell out for a new showerhead, there's a surprisingly simple fix sitting right on your desk — a paper clip.
Why Your Shower Pressure Drops Over Time
The culprit is almost always mineral deposits. If you live in an area with hard water, calcium and magnesium naturally build up inside the tiny rubber nozzles of your showerhead over time.
The Paper Clip Trick
Straighten your paper clip into a single, thin wire. Look closely at your showerhead's rubber nozzles. With the point of the paper clip, gently poke the tip of each nozzle, using a light circular motion to break up and dislodge any mineral buildup. Turn the shower on briefly to flush out the debris.
Rubber nozzles are easy to clean precisely because they're flexible — a little poke goes a long way. Don't force the wire if you feel resistance; a gentle wiggle is all you need.
If the paper clip trick doesn't fully restore your pressure, or if you haven't cleaned your showerhead in a while, vinegar is very effective for cleaning your showerhead.
All you need is white vinegar, a plastic bag, and a rubber band or twist tie. Fill the plastic bag with enough white vinegar to fully cover the showerhead nozzles. Secure the bag around the showerhead neck with a rubber band or twist tie, making sure the head is fully submerged. Leave it to soak overnight (or for at least 2–3 hours for lighter buildup). Remove the bag and run the shower on hot for a minute or two to flush everything out. Use your paper clip to clear any remaining loosened deposits.
White vinegar is a handy ingredient for cleaning and has many uses in and around the home.
