How to Clean a Kitchen Faucet Aerator

Water pressure is the heartbeat of a functional kitchen, and when it starts to sputter or spray sideways, the culprit is almost always a clogged aerator. This small, mesh-screened cap at the end of your faucet spout acts as a filter for mineral deposits and debris that travel through your home's plumbing, eventually choking off the flow. Cleaning an aerator is the ultimate 'five-minute win' in home maintenance. You don't need a plumber or a toolbox full of heavy equipment; you just need to clear the mineral buildup that has hardened over time. A clean aerator restores your flow, saves water, and keeps your kitchen sink working exactly the way it should.

1. Guard Against Lost Parts. Plug your sink drain or cover it with a thick cloth. This prevents small, vital parts like washers or the aerator screen itself from vanishing down the pipes.
2. Unscrew Without Scratching. Grasp the aerator housing with adjustable pliers. Turn counter-clockwise to unscrew it from the faucet spout, using a cloth between the jaws of the pliers to protect the finish.
3. Map Before You Dismantle. Once the aerator is in your hand, tap it gently to drop the internal components—usually a rubber washer, a screen, and a plastic flow restrictor—into a small bowl. Keep these in order so you know how to put them back together.
4. Dissolve Mineral Scale Fast. Fill a small container with white vinegar and submerge all the aerator parts. Let them sit for at least an hour to dissolve any white, crusty calcium deposits.
5. Brush Away All Buildup. Remove the parts from the vinegar and use an old toothbrush to scrub away any loosened mineral debris from the screens. Rinse everything thoroughly with clean water.
6. Reassemble and Verify Flow. Place the parts back into the housing in the correct order, ensuring the rubber washer sits flush. Screw the assembly back onto the faucet by hand, tightening it firmly but not aggressively.