UsefulHow
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How to Clean a Faucet Aerator

June 9, 2026

What You’ll Need

Steps

  1. Close the drain or cover it. Push the sink stopper down or lay a rag over the drain opening. Aerator parts are small and easy to lose down the pipe.
  2. Unscrew the aerator from the faucet tip. Turn it clockwise as you look up at it. Most aerators come off by hand. If it’s stuck, wrap your pliers with masking tape to protect the chrome, then grip and turn.
  3. Disassemble the aerator. Pull off the outer brass or plastic housing. Inside you’ll find a rubber washer and one or more mesh screens. Set the pieces on a towel in the order you removed them so reassembly is straightforward.
  4. Soak the parts in white vinegar. Drop everything except the rubber washer into a bowl of white vinegar. Let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes — the vinegar breaks down calcium and lime deposits. Soak the rubber washer separately for no more than 5 minutes.
  5. Scrub away remaining debris. Pull the parts out and scrub both sides of each screen with a toothbrush. Focus on the edges — that’s where buildup hides. Rinse everything under running water.
  6. Reassemble and reinstall the aerator. Stack the screen, washer, and housing back in the correct order. Thread the aerator onto the faucet clockwise by hand, then give it a gentle quarter turn with the wrench.
  7. Turn the water on and check the flow. Open the faucet fully. The stream should be full and even, not split or sputtering. If water seeps from around the aerator, tighten another eighth turn.

Pro Tips

Tip: I do this every few months, and the difference in water pressure always surprises me. If your faucet has a hidden aerator with no visible threads, it may use a small plastic key that came with the faucet. Check your junk drawer or under the sink. A wide rubber band wrapped around the aerator also works for extra grip — no tools needed.

Caution: White vinegar can damage natural stone countertops if left on the surface. Keep the bowl of vinegar on a trivet or towel, and wipe up any splashes immediately.

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