"I've been hesitant to take mine apart because I'm pretty sure I'll lose something tiny down the drain... knowing my luck, haha."
Totally understandable concern—those tiny parts have a knack for disappearing at the worst possible moment. But honestly, you might be overthinking it a bit. Most showerhead filters, even plastic ones, are sturdier than they look. If you're gentle and use an old toothbrush or something similarly soft-bristled, you shouldn't damage it. Vinegar soaking is great for metal mesh, but with plastic, I'd recommend just a quick rinse and gentle scrub under warm water first. Vinegar can sometimes degrade certain plastics if left too long.
Also, here's a little trick I learned from experience: put a towel or washcloth over the drain before you start disassembling anything. Saved me more than once from losing those sneaky little washers and screws down the abyss... Trust me, it's worth the extra 10 seconds of prep time.
Haha, I feel your pain—I swear my bathroom drain has a gravitational pull specifically designed for tiny screws and washers. Seriously though, have you considered just unscrewing it over the sink or countertop instead of the shower? I've learned the hard way that taking things apart directly in the shower area drastically increases the chances of losing parts down the drain... or worse, bouncing into some unreachable corner behind the toilet.
Also, about the vinegar thing—plastic showerheads are usually fine with a short soak, but how long is too long? I've left mine overnight before without any noticeable issues (yet), but now you're making me wonder if I'm just tempting fate here. Has anyone actually had plastic degrade from vinegar soaking, or is that more of a theoretical risk?
Anyway, towel-over-the-drain trick is golden advice. It's like insurance—you hope you won't need it, but you'll be glad it's there when disaster strikes.
"Has anyone actually had plastic degrade from vinegar soaking, or is that more of a theoretical risk?"
I've soaked mine overnight plenty of times and so far, no plastic apocalypse. But I have heard some folks say that prolonged exposure (like multiple days) can dull the finish or weaken seals—so maybe limit it to just overnight. Also, another eco-friendly tip: if vinegar alone doesn't cut it, adding a spoonful of baking soda works wonders. Just be ready for that fizz reaction...science fair flashbacks incoming.
I've done vinegar soaks overnight plenty of times without any noticeable damage either. But I did once leave a plastic showerhead soaking for almost three days (forgot about it, oops...) and noticed the finish looked a bit duller afterward. Overnight seems safest.
I've had similar experiences with vinegar soaks. I usually stick to overnight, but once I forgot and left mine soaking for a couple of days too—ended up with the same dull finish issue you mentioned. It wasn't terrible, just lost some shine. Honestly, overnight seems plenty effective anyway, and it's safer for the plastic finish. Better safe than sorry...especially since replacing showerheads can add up if you're on a tight budget like me.
