How to Clean Kitchen & Bathroom Faucet Aerators

Have you ever had a faucet that just wasn’t giving you the water flow that it used to have? Don’t replace it just yet…..try cleaning the Aerator. That’s the little screen that the water flows out of. Many times it gets clogged with debris from the water.

This is an easy fix that most of the time you can do yourself.

Here is what to do: all you need is a pair of pliers or a crescent wrench.

So you don’t lose anything down the drain, keep the stopper in the sink closed.

1 – You want to be careful not to scratch it with the pliers or a crescent wrench, so I often wrap a washcloth or small rag around the aerator to protect it. Then use a pair of pliers or a crescent wrench to unscrew the aerator from the faucet.

2 – Disassemble the aerator. Some aerators are more intricate than others, but all have a screen, housing unit and body. Take note of how everything goes together so you can put it back together again. There is usually a washer that is the first piece or deepest into the faucet. Sometimes the washer can become stuck and will shoot out when you run the water. Keep the stopper in the sink closed so nothing falls down the drain.

3 – Once you have it in your hand often times you can just turn it upside down and run a little water backwards through it to clean out the debris. Many times, the debris is visible and just washing it off will solve the problem.

If it doesn’t work:

Submerge all the parts in a bowl of white vinegar. Let the parts soak overnight.

4 – Reassemble the aerator and screw it back onto the faucet remembering how it came apart.

Most home improvement stores will sell new standard Aerators if they need to be replaced.

If all else fails, then give us a call.