I usually just swap out the shower heads every few years, honestly. Vinegar works, but after a while the buildup comes back faster and the metal ones start to look rough. New heads are cheap and save me the hassle. That said, I do keep a bottle of CLR around for the stubborn ones... sometimes it’s worth a shot before tossing them.
I get the appeal of just swapping them out, especially with how cheap some models are now. Have you tried any of the newer low-flow heads? I was surprised by how much less buildup I got after switching to a WaterSense one. Maybe it’s the smaller holes or different spray pattern, but it seems to slow down the mineral gunk. CLR is solid for the tough stuff, but I always wonder if it’s rough on the finish over time...
I’ve swapped out a few shower heads for family and honestly, I’m still not 100% sold on all the low-flow models. Some of them feel like you’re standing under a leaky faucet, but the WaterSense ones do seem to hit a better balance. I’ve noticed less white crust too, which is weirdly satisfying. About CLR—yeah, it works, but I always wonder if it’s slowly eating away at the chrome. Ever tried just soaking the head in vinegar overnight? Curious if that’s gentler or just a waste of time...
Ever tried just soaking the head in vinegar overnight? Curious if that’s gentler or just a waste of time...
Vinegar actually works pretty well, at least in my experience. It’s definitely gentler than CLR, and I haven’t noticed any damage to the chrome after a few soaks. The only downside is the smell, but it fades quick. WaterSense heads are a solid compromise—still get decent pressure without feeling like you’re rinsing off under a trickle. Good call on swapping those out.
