Simple Cleaning a Faucet Aerator: Fix Low Flow and Spray

Cleaning a faucet aerator is one of the quickest fixes in the home. The aerator is the small screen at the tip of the spout, and it traps sediment that weakens the stream. Cleaning a faucet aerator usually takes about ten minutes and often restores full water flow and an even spray.

What an aerator does and why it clogs

The aerator mixes air into the water so the stream looks fuller while using less water. Inside it are a fine mesh screen and a flow restrictor. Minerals from hard water and small bits of rust or sediment from the supply pipes collect on the screen over time. When the screen clogs, the flow becomes weak, sputtering or uneven, even though the valve and the pressure are fine.

Quick facts for cleaning a faucet aerator

Quick facts
Time needed	About 10 to 15 minutes
Tools	Pliers wrapped in tape or cloth, white vinegar, old toothbrush, towel
Protect	Cover the sink drain with a towel so small parts cannot fall in
Replace it if	The threads are stripped, the housing is cracked, or the screen will not clean

Cleaning a faucet aerator, step by step

1. Place a towel in the sink and cover the drain so no small part can fall in.
2. Wrap the jaws of the pliers in tape or cloth. Turn the aerator counterclockwise to unscrew it. Grip the outer housing, not the part you are trying to turn.
3. Lay the parts out in the order they came off. Typically there is a washer, the mesh screen, and a housing or flow restrictor. Note the order so you can reassemble it correctly.
4. Soak the parts in white vinegar for about 30 minutes. Vinegar dissolves mineral deposits without harming most finishes.
5. Scrub the screen gently with an old toothbrush. Rinse every part under running water to flush out loosened sediment.
6. Reassemble the parts in the same order, then screw the aerator back on by hand. Tighten it only a little more with the cloth-wrapped pliers.
7. Turn the water on, check for drips at the threads, and watch the stream. It should be full and even.

Why hard water makes aerators clog faster

Hard water leaves mineral scale that builds up on the screen and the flow restrictor. The effect is strongest on hot taps, because heat speeds up mineral deposits. If an aerator clogs every few weeks, the water is probably hard, and a shorter cleaning schedule is the practical fix. Keeping a spare aerator on hand lets you swap it in while you clean the first one.

If the flow is still weak

If the stream is still weak after cleaning, check the other taps in the home. A problem across every fixture points to the supply, such as a partly closed valve, a sediment-clogged water heater or a leak in the line, rather than the faucet. A problem at a single tap often comes back to the aerator or the faucet cartridge.

When to replace the aerator instead

Replace the aerator if the threads are stripped, if the housing is cracked, or if the screen is damaged and will not come clean. A new aerator is inexpensive and matches the thread size of the faucet, so take the old one to the store when you buy a replacement.

Safety tips for faucet work

Turn the hot and cold supply valves to a low setting if the faucet has no separate shutoff, so water does not spray when you remove the aerator. Do not use metal tools directly on chrome or brushed finishes, because they scratch easily. Wear gloves when handling vinegar for long soaks.

Keep the aerator working longer

Check the aerator every few months if your water is hard. Soaking it in vinegar every few months keeps the screen clear. A sediment filter on the main supply, if installed, reduces how often the aerator clogs.

Cleaning a faucet aerator: the parts to keep track of

When cleaning a faucet aerator, keep track of each part in the order it came off. The screen, the washer and the flow restrictor each sit in a specific position, and a part in the wrong place can cause spray or leaks. Lay the parts on a towel as you remove them, and photograph the arrangement before you start. Cleaning a faucet aerator is quick once you know the order, and the photo makes reassembly easy. Replace any washer that is torn or flattened, because a damaged washer is a common cause of drips around the aerator.

A quick photo before cleaning a faucet aerator is a cheap way to avoid mistakes on reassembly.

Related reading

• How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet: Tools and Steps
• Bathtub Faucet Leaking? Find the Cause and Fix the Drip
• How to Clean a Dishwasher: Filter, Spray Arms and Seal
• Simple Guide: How to Get Rid of Drain Flies

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