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Water flow issues with your kitchen or bathroom faucet? Don’t worry: it’s a common problem. There are many DIY plumbing solutions, but cleaning your faucet’s aerator is the simplest — and can be a huge help. So follow these steps to learn how to clean your faucet aerator and get your sink back to running smoothly.

Step 1: Plug the drain

Before you take anything apart, plug the drain with a drain stopper. This will ensure no small parts fall down the drain.

Step 2: Remove the aerator

Next, unscrew the aerator from the faucet. For this step, you’ll need tongue and groove pliers and a towel. Cover the end of the faucet with the towel to prevent damage to the aerator. Using the pliers, turn the aerator clockwise until it loosens completely.

Step 3: Disassemble the aerator

Once the aerator is removed, it’s time to take it apart piece by piece. (Note: be sure to keep track of the order of the pieces and how they fit together.) If there are any damaged parts, they will likely need replacement.

Step 4: Clean the aerator

Now it’s time to do what you came to do: clean the aerator screen. This can be accomplished by scrubbing it with a toothbrush or by clearing the holes with a sewing needle. If debris remain on the aerator, it’s likely due to mineral build-up from hard water. In that case, soak the parts in white vinegar for at least 15 minutes.

Step 5: Reassemble the aerator

Once the aerator is clean, it’s time to put it back to together. (It will certainly be helpful if you’ve kept track of the order of the parts.)

Step 6: Reattach the aerator

Finally, you can screw the aerator back onto the faucet. No need overtighten it — tighten the aerator by hand first, and use the towel and tongue-and-groove pliers only if you see water leaking.

And that’s it! You’re all done. Enjoy your improved faucet!

Questions?

We hope this step-by-step guide helped you learn how to clean your faucet aerator and fix your water flow issues. However, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re happy to help!