I’ve noticed the same thing with the newer aerators—pressure feels decent, but I still wonder if it’s just masking the lower flow. Like, are we really saving water if people end up rinsing stuff longer? I get the point about matching fixtures to how they’re used, though. Hard water’s brutal on everything... I’ve had to chip off scale more than once. Do you think the laminar ones clog less, or is it just easier to clean them?
I still wonder if it’s just masking the lower flow. Like, are we really saving water if people end up rinsing stuff longer?
That’s exactly what I keep asking myself. I swapped out our kitchen faucet for one of those “eco” aerators and now it feels like I’m just standing there twice as long to get the same job done. My wife jokes that we’re saving water by making me too annoyed to wash dishes at all.
About the laminar ones—honestly, I’ve had both types and they all seem to get gunked up eventually. Hard water doesn’t discriminate. The laminar ones are a bit easier to poke at with a toothpick, but I wouldn’t say they’re immune. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth just soaking the whole thing in vinegar every month instead of buying new gadgets.
Anyone else ever just give up and take the aerator off completely for a while? Feels like cheating, but man, it’s satisfying to get a real blast of water sometimes...
Feels like cheating, but man, it’s satisfying to get a real blast of water sometimes...
I’ve done that too—pulled the aerator off for a few days just to see if it made a difference. Honestly, it’s tempting to leave it off, but I always end up putting it back on after the splash zone gets out of control. I’m not convinced these things save much water if you’re stuck scrubbing forever. Still, I’d rather clean the aerator with vinegar than deal with a flooded countertop or higher bills.
I’m not convinced these things save much water if you’re stuck scrubbing forever.
Ha, that’s exactly my struggle. I want to save water, but if I’m standing there wrestling with a pan while the faucet dribbles out, it feels like a losing battle. I’ve tried the “no aerator” life too—felt powerful for about five minutes, then realized my shirt was soaked and the backsplash looked like a Jackson Pollock painting. Back to vinegar and patience.
I do try to stick with the water-saving stuff where it makes sense, though. Low-flow showerheads are fine by me, but don’t mess with my kitchen sink too much. There’s a line between eco-friendly and just plain annoying... Guess I’m still figuring out where it is.
There’s a line between eco-friendly and just plain annoying... Guess I’m still figuring out where it is.
Same here. I swapped in a low-flow faucet last month and honestly, it just made cleaning up take twice as long. I get wanting to save water, but if it means running the tap forever, what’s the point? I’ll stick with the efficient showerhead, but the kitchen’s non-negotiable for me.
