I hear you on the outer nozzles—mine always seem to get clogged first, too. I’m convinced those tiny holes are just asking for trouble. I tried soaking the showerhead in vinegar overnight and that helped a bit, but honestly, it’s like a losing battle with hard water. The inline filter didn’t do much for me either, but maybe it’s more about frequency of cleaning than filtering? Either way, sideways spray plus soggy toilet paper is a combo I wouldn’t wish on anyone...
I totally get the frustration—those outer nozzles are like magnets for gunk. Vinegar helps, but I’ve found it only goes so far if you’ve got stubborn buildup. What’s worked for me is taking the showerhead off every couple months and gently poking the holes with a toothpick (careful not to scratch the finish). I also make sure to turn off the water supply first—learned that one the hard way with a mini flood. Inline filters sounded promising, but yeah, didn’t see much difference either. It’s a pain, but regular maintenance seems to be the only way I’ve kept the sideways spray under control... for now.
I also make sure to turn off the water supply first—learned that one the hard way with a mini flood.
That brings back memories... Had a tenant once who tried to “fix” their showerhead without shutting off the valve. Ended up with water all over the ceiling tiles and a repair bill. Now I always remind folks: water off first, then tools. Regular cleaning’s key, but I’ve found some of those rubber nozzles just wear out over time—sometimes it’s cheaper to swap the whole thing than fight with it every few weeks.
Had the same thing happen with the rubber nozzles on a “water-saving” showerhead—supposed to be eco-friendly but just ended up spraying sideways after a year. Tried cleaning with vinegar a couple times, but honestly, it just got worse. Felt a bit wasteful swapping it, but sometimes you’ve gotta pick your battles. At least the new one’s easier to keep clean... for now.
Felt a bit wasteful swapping it, but sometimes you’ve gotta pick your battles.
Funny thing, I’ve actually had better luck with the old-school metal showerheads. They’re not “eco” on paper, but I swear they last forever and don’t clog up as fast. Maybe it’s just luck, but I wonder if all these “water-saving” gadgets end up creating more waste in the long run. Ever tried just popping the nozzles off and poking through with a toothpick? Sometimes that gets them working again, though it’s a bit fiddly.
