It’s cheap, and if you let the showerhead soak overnight, it usually does the trick. Sometimes I’ll poke the jets with a toothpick after a vinegar bath, which feels like a weird spa treatment f...
Honestly, I get the vinegar thing—cheap and easy. But in my experience managing a bunch of rentals, sometimes you just need to swap out the showerhead. If it’s spraying the ceiling and “the cat,” like you said, that plastic’s probably warped or cracked inside.
- Vinegar helps for mineral buildup, sure.
- If jets are still wild after cleaning, check for cracks or worn-out rubber washers.
- New showerheads aren’t expensive and save a lot of hassle long-term.
I’ve tried poking jets too, but sometimes you’re just fighting a losing battle with old hardware.
Swapping showerheads is honestly underrated. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been called in for “crazy” spray patterns, only to find the head’s just worn out or the internal parts are shot. Vinegar’s great for limescale, but if the spray’s going sideways after a good soak and scrub, there’s usually more going on—cracks in the plastic, busted seals, or just cheap materials that don’t hold up.
Had one job where the tenant kept cleaning it with vinegar and toothpicks every month. Still ended up with water shooting straight at the bathroom door. Turns out the threads inside were stripped and the faceplate was warped. Sometimes you’re just better off grabbing a new one—some of the basic models work fine and take less than ten minutes to swap in.
If you’re dealing with old hardware, it might be time to call it a day on that showerhead. No shame in retiring it after years of service.
Had one job where the tenant kept cleaning it with vinegar and toothpicks every month. Still ended up with water shooting straight at the bathroom door.
Couldn’t agree more with “Sometimes you’re just better off grabbing a new one.” I’ve seen folks spend more time and money trying to revive a $15 showerhead than it’s worth. At a certain point, you’re just fighting a losing battle. Nothing wrong with calling it quits and upgrading—your sanity (and your bathroom floor) will thank you.
I hear you, but I’ll admit—I’m a sucker for trying to fix stuff before tossing it. That said, I’ve definitely wasted way too much time with baking soda, vinegar, and those tiny brushes, just to end up with a showerhead that sprays like a rogue garden hose. Anyone else wonder if the old ones are even worth recycling? Or is it just better to buy a decent eco-friendly model and call it a day?
I get the urge to rescue every misbehaving fixture, but honestly—sometimes you just have to let a showerhead go. I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit wrestling with calcified jets, poking at them with toothpicks and muttering under my breath, only for the thing to start spraying sideways into the hallway anyway.
But here’s the thing: those “eco-friendly” models can be hit or miss. Some are great, sure, but others feel like trying to rinse off in a light drizzle. Have you ever tried one that basically just misted you for twenty minutes? Not exactly spa-like. I’d say if you’ve got a decent old metal one, it might actually be worth fixing or replacing parts—it’s wild how much better the older ones hold up compared to the cheap plastic stuff out there now.
As for recycling, I always wonder if it’s wishful thinking... does anyone know if those things actually get recycled, or do they just end up in landfill anyway?
