A faucet aerator is a small device that attaches to the end of your bathroom faucet. It mixes air with water to create a smooth and even stream of water. It also reduces water consumption and prevents splashing.
But faucet aerators can get clogged with mineral deposits, dirt, and debris over time. This can affect the water flow, pressure, and quality. It can also cause leaks, drips, and noises.
That’s why it is important to clean your bathroom faucet aerator regularly.
This article will show you how to do it in simple steps and explain why you should clean your faucet aerator, its benefits, and the potential risks if you don’t.
- Why You Should Clean Your Bathroom Faucet Aerator
- How to Clean Bathroom Faucet Aerator
- How Often Should You Clean Your Bathroom Faucet Aerator?
- Safety Precautions When Cleaning Your Bathroom Faucet Aerator?
- What Risks Arise From Not Cleaning Your Bathroom Faucet Aerator?
- How to Remove Additional Smell from Faucet Aerator
- To Remove Faucet Aerator Odors, Try These Methods
- FAQs
- Key Takeaway
- Conclusion
Why You Should Clean Your Bathroom Faucet Aerator
Cleaning your bathroom faucet aerator is good for your faucet and your health and wallet. Here are some of the reasons why you should clean your faucet aerator:
- It improves water flow and pressure: A clogged faucet aerator can reduce the water flow and pressure from your faucet. This can make washing your hands, brushing your teeth, or shaving harder. Cleaning your faucet aerator can restore the optimal water flow and pressure from your faucet.
- It improves water quality: A clogged faucet aerator can trap bacteria, mold, and other contaminants. This can affect the taste, smell, and safety of the water. By cleaning your faucet aerator, you can remove these impurities and ensure that the water from your faucet is clean and fresh.
- It prevents leaks and drips: A clogged faucet aerator can cause leaks and drips from your faucet. This can waste water and money. It can also damage your sink, countertop, or floor. Cleaning your faucet aerator can prevent leaks and drips from your faucet and save water and money.
- It extends the lifespan of your faucet: A clogged faucet aerator can put extra strain on your faucet. This can wear out the parts faster and cause malfunctions or breakdowns. By cleaning your faucet aerator, you can extend the lifespan of your faucet and avoid costly repairs or replacements.
How to Clean Bathroom Faucet Aerator
Cleaning your bathroom faucet aerator is a simple task in a few minutes. You don’t need any special tools or skills to do it. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Remove the Faucet Aerator
The first step is to remove the faucet aerator from the end of your faucet spout. Depending on the type of faucet aerator you have, you may be able to unscrew it by hand or use a pair of pliers.
If you can unscrew it by hand, grip the edge of the faucet aerator with your fingers and turn it counterclockwise until it comes off.
If you need pliers, wrap a cloth or masking tape around the pliers’ jaws to protect the faucet aerator’s finish. Then grip the edge of the faucet aerator with the pliers and turn it counterclockwise until it comes off.
Step 2: Disassemble the Faucet Aerator
The second step is to disassemble the faucet aerator into its components. Most faucet aerators consist of a metal housing, a rubber washer, a mixer disc, a screen, and a flow restrictor.
Pull out the components from the metal housing to disassemble the faucet aerator. If they are stuck, you may need to use a toothpick or a paper clip to pry out some of the parts.
Remember the order of the components as you take them out. You will need to put them back in the same order later.
Step 3: Clean the Faucet Aerator Components
The third step is to clean the faucet aerator components with vinegar or a commercial cleaner. Vinegar is a natural and effective way to dissolve mineral deposits and other buildups on the faucet aerator components. A commercial cleaner is a stronger option that can also remove stubborn stains and dirt.
To clean the faucet aerator components with vinegar, fill a small bowl or a plastic bag with white vinegar and submerge the components. Let them soak for at least an hour or overnight for the best results.
To clean the faucet aerator components with a commercial cleaner, follow the instructions on the product label and apply the cleaner to the components. Let them sit for the recommended time, and rinse them off.
After soaking or applying the cleaner, use a toothbrush or a toothpick to scrub off any remaining deposits or debris from the components. Pay special attention to the holes in the screen and the mixer disc, as they can get easily clogged.
Rinse the components with clean water and dry them with a soft cloth or paper towel.
Step 4: Reassemble and Reinstall the Faucet Aerator
The fourth and final step is to reassemble and reinstall the faucet aerator. To reassemble the faucet aerator, insert the components back into the metal housing in the reverse order that you took them out. Make sure that they fit snugly and securely.
To reinstall the faucet aerator, screw it back onto the end of your spout by hand or with pliers. Turn it clockwise until it is tight but not over-tightened.
Turn on your faucet and check for leaks, drips, or noises. If you notice any problems, you may need to tighten or loosen the faucet aerator slightly.
Enjoy your clean and smooth water flow!
How Often Should You Clean Your Bathroom Faucet Aerator?
No definitive answer is how often you should clean your bathroom faucet aerator. It depends on several factors, such as:
- The quality of your water supply: If you have hard water, which contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, you may need to clean your faucet aerator more often than if you have soft water.
- The frequency of your water usage: If you use your bathroom faucet frequently, you may need to clean your faucet aerator more often than if you use it occasionally.
- The signs of clogging: If you notice that your water flow is reduced, erratic, or discolored or that your faucet is leaking, dripping, or making noises, you may need to clean your faucet aerator as soon as possible.
As a general rule, you should clean your bathroom faucet aerator at least once every six months.
This will help prevent clogging, improve water flow and quality, and extend the lifespan of your faucet.
Safety Precautions When Cleaning Your Bathroom Faucet Aerator?
Cleaning your bathroom faucet aerator is a safe and easy task, but there are some safety precautions that you should follow to avoid any accidents or injuries. Here are some of them:
- Wear gloves when handling vinegar or commercial cleaners, as they irritate your skin or eyes.
- Wear eye protection when scrubbing or rinsing the faucet aerator components, as they can splash or fly off.
- Turn off the water supply before removing or reinstalling the faucet aerator, as water can spray out at high pressure.
- Be careful not to damage or lose any faucet aerator components, as they are small and delicate.
- Be careful not to scratch or dent the finish of your faucet or faucet aerator, as this can affect their appearance and function.
What Risks Arise From Not Cleaning Your Bathroom Faucet Aerator?
If you don’t regularly clean your bathroom faucet aerator, you may face potential risks that can affect your health, comfort, and wallet. Here are some of them:
- Poor water flow and pressure. A clogged faucet aerator can reduce the water flow and pressure from your faucet, making it harder to wash your hands, brush your teeth, or shave.
- Poor water quality: A clogged faucet aerator can trap bacteria, mold, and other contaminants in the water, affecting its taste, smell, and safety.
- Leaks and drips: A clogged faucet aerator can cause leaks and drips from your faucet, wasting water and money. It can also damage your sink, countertop, or floor.
- Shorter lifespan of your faucet: A clogged faucet aerator can put extra strain on your faucet, wearing out its parts faster and causing malfunctions or breakdowns.
How to Remove Additional Smell from Faucet Aerator
Sometimes, cleaning your bathroom faucet aerator may not be enough to get rid of unpleasant smells from your water. This could be due to various reasons, such as:
The source of the water
If your water comes from a well or a municipal supply that has high levels of sulfur, iron, or chlorine, it may have a rotten egg, metallic, or bleach-like smell. You may need to install a water filter or a softener to improve your water’s quality and odor.
The plumbing system
If your pipes are old, corroded, or infected with bacteria, they may release foul-smelling substances into your water. You may need to flush your pipes with bleach or replace them with new ones to eliminate the odor.
The faucet itself
If your faucet is dirty, rusty, or damaged, it may harbor bacteria, mold, or algae that can cause bad smells. You may need to clean your faucet thoroughly or replace it with a new one to prevent the odor.
To Remove Faucet Aerator Odors, Try These Methods
Soak the faucet aerator in vinegar or a commercial cleaner
Vinegar and commercial cleaners can help dissolve and remove any residual deposits or debris that may cause odors on your faucet aerator.
To do this, fill a small bowl or a plastic bag with white vinegar or a commercial cleaner and submerge the faucet aerator.
Let it soak for at least an hour or overnight for the best results. Then rinse it with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth or paper towel.
Spray the faucet aerator with WD-40
WD-40 is a lubricant that can help loosen and remove any stuck or stubborn deposits or debris that may cause odors on your faucet aerator.
To do this, spray some WD-40 on the faucet aerator screw for three to five seconds. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to penetrate the metal.
Then unscrew and remove the faucet aerator, rinse it with clean water, and dry it with a soft cloth or paper towel.
Wrap the faucet aerator with a cloth soaked in vinegar
Vinegar can also help reduce and remove any odors on your faucet aerator by breaking down the deposits or debris that cause them.
To do this, wrap the faucet aerator with a cloth soaked in vinegar. Leave it for one hour, remove the faucet aerator, rinse it with clean water, and dry it with a soft cloth or paper towel.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions related to how to clean bathroom faucet aerator:
Some signs that your faucet aerator is clogged are:
1. Reduced water flow and pressure
2. Erratic or uneven water stream
3. Discolored or cloudy water
4. Leaks, drips, or noises from your faucet
There are two types of faucet aerators: threaded and concealed. Threaded aerators have visible threads on the outside and can be unscrewed by hand or with pliers. Concealed aerators have hidden threads and require a special tool called an aerator key to unscrew them.
You can find an aerator key at most hardware stores or online retailers. You can also contact your faucet manufacturer and ask for a replacement key.
Some ways to prevent your faucet aerator from getting clogged are:
1. Clean your faucet aerator regularly
2. Install a water filter or a water softener to reduce mineral deposits
3. Flush your pipes with bleach or vinegar to kill bacteria
4. Replace your pipes if they are old, corroded, or infected
Key Takeaway
- Cleaning your bathroom faucet aerator is an easy and effective way to improve water flow, quality, and pressure.
- It helps prevent leaks, drips, and noises from your faucet.
- Cleaning the aerator extends the lifespan of your faucet.
- To clean the aerator, remove, disassemble, clean, and reinstall it.
- Vinegar, a commercial cleaner, or WD-40, can dissolve and remove deposits or debris.
- Clean the aerator at least once every six months or when you notice clogging signs.
- Take preventive measures such as installing a water filter or softener, flushing your pipes, or replacing your faucet.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to clean bathroom faucet aerators in simple steps and why it is important to do so regularly.
We have also explained how to remove the additional smell from your faucet aerator, identify the type of faucet aerator you have, find an aerator key, prevent clogging, and answer some common questions related to this topic.
Hope you have found this article helpful and informative. Thank you for reading, and happy cleaning!
