How to Clean Aerators on All Your Faucets

Clean faucet aerators by unscrewing them, soaking in vinegar for 30 minutes to dissolve mineral buildup, scrubbing with an old toothbrush, and reassembling.

1. Assemble Your Arsenal. You'll need white vinegar, an old toothbrush, needle-nose pliers, rubber gloves, and a small bowl. Having a towel nearby helps catch any water that drips during the process.
2. Unscrew Without Stripping. Shut off the faucet completely. Most aerators unscrew counterclockwise by hand. If it's stuck, wrap the aerator threads with a cloth and use needle-nose pliers for extra grip. Be gentle to avoid damaging the threads.
3. Map Each Tiny Piece. Take apart the aerator carefully, noting the order of the parts. You'll typically find a housing, screen, flow restrictor, and rubber washer. Lay them out in order so you can reassemble correctly.
4. Let Vinegar Do the Work. Place all metal parts in a bowl of white vinegar for 30 minutes. For heavily clogged aerators, let them soak for up to 2 hours. The acid in vinegar dissolves calcium and lime buildup naturally.
5. Brush Out Stubborn Deposits. After soaking, use an old toothbrush to scrub each component. Pay special attention to the screen holes and flow restrictor. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all vinegar and loosened debris.
6. Restore Full Water Flow. Put the aerator back together in reverse order of disassembly. Thread it back onto the faucet by hand, turning clockwise. Tighten snugly but don't overtighten. Turn on the water to test flow and check for leaks.