How to Clean a Clogged Faucet Aerator

A faucet aerator is the small screen at the tip of your spout, and it does something most people never think about until water stops flowing like it should. It mixes air into your water stream to reduce splashing and save water—but minerals, sediment, and rust particles collect in those tiny mesh holes until your tap becomes a trickle. The good news: this is one of the easiest fixes in your house. You don't need a plumber, and you probably already own everything required. The aerator unscrews by hand, a vinegar soak dissolves mineral buildup, and you're back to full pressure in less than an hour. This is the kind of repair that teaches you something useful—how mineral deposits actually work against your plumbing—and leaves you feeling like you know your house better.

1. Kill Water Pressure First. Close the shut-off valves under the sink by turning them clockwise until they stop. If your kitchen sink doesn't have individual shut-offs, locate and close the main water shut-off valve for the house. Run the faucet for a few seconds to release any pressure in the line. This prevents water from spraying when you remove the aerator.
2. Twist It Free Gently. Locate the aerator at the very tip of your faucet spout—it's the threaded collar that screws onto the spout. Grip it firmly and turn counterclockwise. Most aerators unscrew easily without tools. If it's stuck, wrap a cloth or rubber band around it for better grip, then try again. If it still won't budge, use a wrench or pliers with a cloth underneath to protect the finish.
3. Assess the Damage Now. Once removed, look at what you have. Most aerators consist of an outer housing, an internal screen or mesh, and sometimes a plastic or rubber aerator insert. Note the order of the parts and set them on a clean surface. If you see visible sediment, rust, or mineral crust, you've found the problem. If the screen itself is torn or the insert is cracked, replacement is simpler than cleaning.
4. Let Vinegar Do the Work. Pour white vinegar into a small cup or bowl—enough to fully submerge the aerator parts. Place all the pieces in the vinegar and let them sit for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Vinegar dissolves mineral deposits like limescale and calcium that cause clogs. For heavily clogged aerators, overnight soaking works even better. Mineral-rich areas benefit more from longer soaks.
5. Brush Away the Buildup. After soaking, use an old toothbrush or soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the mesh screen and aerator insert. Pay special attention to the openings in the screen where sediment collects. Work the brush across the surface with light pressure—you want to remove buildup without damaging the mesh. If mineral deposits are still stubborn, dunk back into vinegar and scrub again.
6. Clear Every Crevice Completely. Hold each piece under cool running water and rinse away all vinegar and loosened debris. Use your fingers or the soft brush to ensure water flows through the mesh holes. You should see water passing through the screen easily. If water still sprays unevenly or trickles, repeat the soaking and scrubbing process. Make sure no vinegar smell remains.
7. Rebuild in Reverse Order. Starting from the inside out, place each piece back into the housing in the exact reverse order you removed them. Typically, this means the aerator insert goes in first, then the screen, then any rubber washers or seals. Take your time and press each piece firmly into place. The housing should close around them snugly but shouldn't require force. If you took a photo during disassembly, reference it now.
8. Thread It Back Carefully. Align the aerator housing with the threads on the faucet spout and turn clockwise by hand. Feel for the threads to catch and align smoothly. Hand-tighten it until it's snug—do not use a wrench or pliers unless it was stuck when you removed it. Over-tightening can crack the aerator or damage the spout threads.
9. Restore Water Flow Fully. Open the shut-off valves under the sink by turning them counterclockwise. Listen for water to flow back into the supply lines. Wait a few seconds, then turn on the faucet. Water may sputter or spray initially as air escapes the line—this is normal. Let it run for 10 seconds to clear any air.
10. Verify Pressure Returns Fully. Run the faucet at full pressure and observe the water pattern. The stream should be smooth and even without dead spots, pulsing, or uneven spray. The flow should match what you remember from before the clog began. If you see any weak spots in the spray pattern or reduced flow, the clog may not have fully cleared—return to step five and repeat the soaking and scrubbing with more aggressive brushing or longer soak time.