Had a similar experience when I moved in last year. The showerhead looked fine on the outside, but when I unscrewed it, there was this weird greenish gunk inside. I tried soaking it in vinegar, but the smell didn’t really go away. Ended up just buying a new one because I couldn’t stop thinking about what might be growing in there. Maybe it’s overkill, but I’d rather not risk breathing in or showering with whatever that stuff was. Sometimes peace of mind is worth the extra $20.
It’s wild how much gross stuff can build up inside a showerhead, even when it looks fine from the outside. I’ve run into that greenish sludge too—usually a mix of mineral deposits and sometimes algae or bacteria if there’s moisture trapped.
- I usually take things apart, scrub with an old toothbrush, soak all the parts in vinegar, then rinse everything really well. Sometimes I’ll use a little baking soda too if there’s stubborn buildup.
- About the smell—if vinegar doesn’t cut it, I’ve found hydrogen peroxide can help with lingering odors and sanitizing. Just gotta be careful with mixing chemicals.
- Replacing the whole unit is definitely the easiest fix, especially if the insides are corroded or you can’t get rid of the gunk.
Curious—did you check the pipe behind the showerhead too? Sometimes there’s buildup back there that keeps causing issues even with a new head. I’ve seen some gnarly stuff hiding in those threads...
Curious—did you check the pipe behind the showerhead too? Sometimes there’s buildup back there that keeps causing issues even with a new head. I’ve seen some gnarly stuff hiding in those threads...
You’re spot on about the pipe threads—people forget about those all the time. Even a shiny new showerhead won’t help if there’s crud hiding back there. I’ve had jobs where the buildup was so bad, it was basically acting like a mini dam. Good call on using hydrogen peroxide too, just gotta watch for splashing it on anything metal since it can be a little harsh over time. Sounds like you’re doing everything right, though—sometimes showers just have a mind of their own.
Honestly, I’ve found a little vinegar soak does wonders for those stubborn threads—less harsh than peroxide, too. If you’re into eco stuff like me, try a toothbrush and baking soda. Showers really do have a mind of their own… mine once sprayed the cat.
Vinegar’s my go-to for a lot of stuff, but I always get nervous about using it around metal parts—does it ever mess with the finish or anything? I tried baking soda once and it worked okay, but I felt like I was scrubbing forever. Also, is there any trick to getting the showerhead off without accidentally breaking something? I’m always worried I’ll end up with a bigger mess than I started with...
