My shower pressure dropped to a sad drizzle. I thought the plumbing was failing. Called my landlord. He came over, looked at the shower head for three seconds, and said “when was the last time you cleaned this?” I had never cleaned it. Not once in three years.

The tiny nozzles on your shower head get clogged with mineral deposits — same stuff that leaves white spots on your glassware. Fixing it takes five minutes and you do not need to take anything apart.

The Plastic Bag Method

Fill a plastic Ziploc bag halfway with white vinegar. Pull the bag up over the shower head so the nozzles are completely submerged. Secure it with a rubber band or hair tie around the pipe. Leave it for at least an hour — overnight if the buildup is really bad.

The vinegar dissolves the calcium and lime scale inside the nozzles. When you remove the bag, run the shower on hot for a minute to flush everything out. The pressure should be noticeably better.

If Vinegar Is Not Strong Enough

For really stubborn buildup, use CLR or Lime-Away instead of vinegar. Same method — bag, soak, rinse. These are stronger acids, so do not let them sit longer than the label says. And open a window or run the fan because the fumes are not fun to breathe.

The Toothpick Quick Fix

If you just need a quick improvement, take a toothpick and poke each nozzle gently. You will feel some of them give way as the mineral plug breaks loose. You will not get them all, but it helps immediately while you set up the vinegar soak.

How Often?

Every three to four months if you have hard water. Every six months if your water is soft. You will know it is time when the spray pattern gets uneven or the pressure drops.