Had this happen in one of my rentals a while back. Vinegar trick usually works, but if it's really stubborn, unscrew the head and poke through the holes gently with a toothpick after soaking. Saved me from buying a new one more than once...
"...unscrew the head and poke through the holes gently with a toothpick after soaking."
Definitely second this method. I had a showerhead once that was spraying water everywhere except on me (felt like it was personally offended, lol). Vinegar soak usually does the trick, but sometimes you've gotta get in there with a toothpick or even a sewing needle if the gunk is really stubborn. Quick tip: after poking through the holes, run water through it upside-down for a minute or two before reinstalling—helps flush out any leftover debris.
One thing I'd add: if you're constantly dealing with buildup, it might be worth checking your water hardness. I found out our water was super hard, so I installed a cheap inline water softener cartridge. Made a huge difference, and now I hardly ever have to clean out the showerhead anymore. Saved me from the toothpick routine every couple of months...
The toothpick trick usually works, but honestly, if you're having to do it regularly, you might wanna just replace the showerhead altogether. I've had tenants who kept cleaning theirs every few months, and eventually I swapped it out for a silicone nozzle type. Those rubbery nozzles flex when you rub them, so buildup doesn't stick as easily. Might save you some hassle in the long run...
"eventually I swapped it out for a silicone nozzle type"
Agree silicone nozzles help, but they're not foolproof. Had one myself—still needed the occasional scrub. Better than metal though, definitely less frequent cleaning...worth trying at least once.
"Better than metal though, definitely less frequent cleaning...worth trying at least once."
Definitely agree silicone nozzles are a step up from metal, especially in areas with hard water. But keep in mind, even silicone can clog if mineral buildup gets heavy enough. I've seen cases where folks neglect regular maintenance thinking silicone solves everything, only to end up with uneven spray patterns again. A quick rub-down every couple weeks usually does the trick—just don't assume it's completely maintenance-free.
