Yeah, you nailed it—sometimes it’s just a crusty buildup making your shower head act like a rogue sprinkler. I’ve seen folks ready to rip out the whole thing, but a little vinegar bath and some poking around can work wonders. Other times, though, the plastic inside’s just given up and there’s no saving it. It’s always a bit of a gamble... kind of like Russian roulette, but with water pressure and less drama.
“a little vinegar bath and some poking around can work wonders”
That’s been my go-to for years, but I learned the hard way to always shut off the water first—one time I forgot and got a face full of cold spray. If you’re taking the head off, I’d put a towel over the drain too, just in case any small parts drop. Sometimes those little rubber washers like to disappear. If it’s still spraying sideways after a good soak and scrub, I’d say it’s time for a new one. Some of the cheaper plastic ones just don’t hold up after a while.
If you’re taking the head off, I’d put a towel over the drain too, just in case any small parts drop.
Yeah, that towel trick has saved me more than once—those tiny washers have a mind of their own. One thing I’d add: after soaking in vinegar, I always run some water through the head (outside the shower) to flush out any leftover gunk. Sometimes a toothpick or a soft brush can help clear out stubborn holes too. And honestly, if it’s one of those super cheap plastic heads, sometimes it’s just not worth the hassle.
Sometimes a toothpick or a soft brush can help clear out stubborn holes too.
Definitely agree on the toothpick—those mineral deposits are no joke. I’d just add, if you’re already going through the trouble, swap for a low-flow head if you don’t have one. It’s better for your water bill and the planet. I know some folks say they don’t have enough pressure, but honestly, the newer ones are way better than they used to be. And yeah, those bargain-bin plastic heads? More trouble than they’re worth, in my experience.
Not gonna lie, I’m always a bit skeptical about the low-flow heads. I get the point—save water, save money, all that—but in older houses with iffy pipes or already weak pressure, swapping to low-flow can sometimes make things worse. You mentioned,
and yeah, some of them are decent now. But I’ve seen enough folks swap out a clogged head for a brand-new “eco” model and end up with a dribble instead of a shower. Then they’re right back here asking why it takes 20 minutes to rinse shampoo out.“the newer ones are way better than they used to be,”
If you’ve got good pressure to start with, sure, go for it. But if your water’s already struggling, sometimes just cleaning out the old head or replacing it with a regular (but better quality) one is less hassle. And those cheap plastic ones? Couldn’t agree more—most of ’em crack or leak after a year anyway.
One thing I’d add: mineral buildup comes back fast if your water’s hard. Toothpick trick works alright but sometimes you gotta soak the whole thing in vinegar overnight. That usually gets the gunk out way better than poking at each hole.
Just my two cents—sometimes simple fixes beat upgrades, depending on what you’re working with.
