Little screen thingy on faucets - ever checked yours?

I just learned something kinda random today—those little mesh screens at the end of faucets actually have a name. They're called aerators, and apparently they help save water and keep the flow smooth. But the weird part is, they can get super gunky with minerals and stuff. I unscrewed mine today out of curiosity and... yikes, it was gross. Had no idea these things even needed attention. Anyone else ever check theirs or know more about why they clog up so fast?