How to Clean Faucet Aerators and Remove Mineral Deposits

Faucet aerators are small mesh screens that sit at the tip of your kitchen or bathroom faucet, and they collect mineral deposits faster than almost any other part of your plumbing. Hard water leaves behind calcium and magnesium buildup that clogs the holes, reducing water pressure until your faucet is barely spitting. The good news is that cleaning an aerator takes fifteen minutes and costs nothing—and the pressure difference when you're done is immediate and satisfying. This is one of those maintenance tasks that feels more impressive than it actually is, and it's the first thing you should try before assuming your faucet is broken or calling a plumber.

1. Locate and shut off the water. Look at the very tip of your faucet where the water comes out. The aerator is the removable cylindrical piece, usually made of plastic or metal, that sits right there. Turn off the main water supply or the shut-off valve under the sink—this prevents water from spraying everywhere when you unscrew it.
2. Remove the aerator carefully. Grip the aerator between your thumb and forefinger and turn it counterclockwise. Most aerators unscrew by hand without tools. If it's stuck, wrap a cloth around it for grip and try again, or use an adjustable wrench with the cloth to avoid scratching the finish. Set the aerator in a small cup or bowl so you don't lose any parts.
3. Let vinegar dissolve the deposits. Fill a small cup or mug with white vinegar—enough to completely submerge the aerator. Drop the aerator in and let it soak. For light deposits, 30 minutes is enough. For heavy mineral buildup, leave it for 2 hours or even overnight. The acetic acid in the vinegar dissolves calcium and magnesium deposits without any scrubbing.
4. Brush away loosened mineral buildup. Remove the aerator from the vinegar and scrub it gently with an old toothbrush, paying special attention to the mesh screen and any visible buildup. Work around the edges and the aerator's threads. The deposits should come off easily now that they've been softened by the vinegar. Don't be aggressive—the mesh is delicate and tears easily.
5. Unclog every individual hole. Look at the mesh screen closely under good light. If small holes are still clogged with mineral deposits, use a small sewing needle, a straightened paperclip, or a dental pick to gently clear each blocked hole. Work methodically from one side to the other. This is what separates a half-cleaned aerator from a fully functional one.
6. Flush away all residue and vinegar. Hold the aerator under hot water from another faucet and flush it from both sides to rinse away all vinegar and loosened mineral particles. Hold it up to the light and look through the mesh—you should see light coming through clearly. If water still seems to flow slowly through it, repeat the soaking and picking process.
7. Put it back together and screw tight. Check that all internal parts—the mesh screen, mixer piece, and gasket—are clean and dry. Reassemble them in the same order they came apart, with the gasket between the aerator housing and the internal screen. Screw the aerator back onto the faucet tip by hand, turning clockwise until snug. Don't over-tighten; hand-tight is all you need.
8. Verify water pressure restored. Turn the water supply back on at the main or under-sink valve. Turn on the faucet and check the water pressure. It should feel noticeably stronger than before. If the pressure is still weak, the aerator may have had damage beyond mineral deposits, or debris may be stuck inside the faucet body itself—that requires different troubleshooting.