How to Clean a Clogged Faucet Aerator

A clogged aerator is one of those small problems that feels disproportionately annoying. The water flow slows to a trickle, the spray pattern fractures, and you find yourself unscrewing the faucet tip three times a day out of frustration. The good news: this is entirely fixable and requires nothing beyond what's already in your kitchen. Mineral deposits, sediment, and debris accumulate inside the aerator screen over time—especially in areas with hard water—but a basic cleaning restores flow within minutes. This is a job that costs nothing and teaches you something fundamental about how your kitchen actually works.

1. Spot the Weak Spray. Turn on the kitchen faucet and observe the water flow. If it's weak, scattered, or spraying sideways, the aerator is the problem. Look at the faucet tip—it's the small cylindrical screen screwed onto the very end of the spout. You'll see fine mesh inside. This is your culprit.
2. Save Your Parts. Lay down a clean kitchen towel in the bottom of the sink. This prevents the small aerator parts from falling down the drain if you accidentally drop them. It also gives you a soft work surface.
3. Twist It Loose. Grip the aerator body—the visible threaded cylinder at the faucet tip—and turn it counterclockwise. Most aerators unscrew by hand without tools. Turn firmly but don't force it; gentle rotation will do the job. If it won't budge, stop and move to the next step.
4. Apply Wrench Power. If hand-turning doesn't work, wrap the aerator body in an old cloth to protect the finish. Use an adjustable wrench or a small pipe wrench to grip the cloth-wrapped aerator, then turn counterclockwise slowly. Keep the spout itself steady with your other hand so you don't torque the faucet. Once it starts moving, switch back to hand-turning.
5. Document the Order. Once off the spout, examine the aerator. It typically has three or four parts: an outer metal body, a fine mesh screen, a coarser perforated disc, and sometimes a rubber or plastic insert. Note the order they come in—you'll need to reassemble them the same way. Lay each piece on your towel in the order they came out.
6. Let Vinegar Work. Fill a small bowl or cup with white vinegar—plain 5% distilled vinegar from any grocery store. Submerge all the aerator parts in the vinegar. If you only have a small amount of vinegar, that's fine; just ensure the screen and discs are covered. Let them soak for 15 to 30 minutes. The acidity dissolves mineral deposits and loosens debris.
7. Brush Away Buildup. After soaking, remove the fine mesh screen. Using an old toothbrush (not one you use for teeth), gently scrub both sides of the screen under running water. The vinegar loosens deposits, but the bristles dislodge stubborn debris. Work the brush across the mesh in all directions. You'll see sediment wash away.
8. Clear Every Hole. Take the coarser perforated or slotted disc and scrub it with the same toothbrush under running water. This disc has larger holes and is more robust, so you can scrub a bit more vigorously. Look through the holes to make sure light passes through clearly—if you see deposits still blocking them, continue scrubbing or soak it another 10 minutes.
9. Flush It Clean. Hold each part under running tap water and rinse away all vinegar residue and loose sediment. The water should run clear through the screen and disc. If vinegar smell lingers, rinse again. Any remaining vinegar won't hurt the water, but rinsing ensures you get all the debris out.
10. Check the Seals. Some aerators have a rubber or silicone insert or seal. If yours has one and it looks hardened, cracked, or deteriorated, replace it. If it looks flexible and intact, clean it with the toothbrush and vinegar, then rinse. A bad seal allows water to bypass the aerator and spray everywhere.
11. Stack It Right. Using your photo or memory, reassemble the aerator in the exact order it came apart. This usually means: outer body first, then the coarser disc, then the fine screen, then any insert or cap. Push each piece in firmly so they nest properly, but don't force them—they should slide together smoothly if the order is right.
12. Hand-Tighten Only. Thread the reassembled aerator onto the faucet spout by hand. Turn clockwise slowly until you feel resistance, then tighten with a quarter-turn more. Don't over-tighten—you're just making a seal, not securing a bolt. The aerator should sit flush against the spout tip with no gaps.
13. Verify Full Flow. Turn the faucet on and observe the flow and spray pattern. The water should come out full and even, with a consistent spray if the aerator is designed to produce one. There should be no weak spots or off-angle spray. Let it run for 10 seconds to flush out any lingering particles. Adjust any orientation of the spout if the spray seems off.