Clean/Decalcify a Faucet Aerator - PEP BB plumbing.sand.tiny.cleanfaucet

We have quite hard water here in the Cotswolds (England). The shower and taps in the bathroom were getting caked up with limescale. I soaked the aerators and shower head in homemade scrap vinegar (from apple peels and cores) for 4 hours, then scrubbed off the remaining limescale with an old toothbrush. The showerhead definitely works better now. The water pressure here is very good so it is less noticeable on the taps.

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
- Clean/decalcify a faucet aerator

To show you've completed this Badge Bit, you must show proof of the following (as pictures or a video < 2 mins):
- Dirty/calcified faucet operating poorly
See Attached
- Cleaning/decalcifying the faucet
See Attached
- Newly cleaned/decalcified faucet operating properly
See Attached
- A description of the method for how the faucet aerator was cleaned/decalcified
Faucet aerator was removed and disassembled. A thirty minute soak in white vinegar followed by a vigorous brushing removed buildup. Aerator was reassembled and reinstalled to show improved flow.

I've never cleaned this aerator. It was full of gunk. I used hydrogen peroxide for soaking, and an old toothbrush to scrub off the loose gunk.

I cleaned our main bath sink aerator tonight. I used just vinegar in a little dish with a mini brush.

The spray wand of our faucet gets clogged easily, I used a dental tool in between baths of citric acid. Very effective!

Here in western Ohio the limestone bedrock saturates well water, as well as most surface waters, with calcium. Lime deposits accumulate rapidly so, I decalcify my plumbing fixtures about every three months rather than wait until they’re clogged. Since I can be certain they’ll clog within a year, anyway, it makes sense to decalcify as part of preventative maintenance.

I prefer to flush any debris under running water. Then scrub the parts with vinegar and an old toothbrush. After that I soak the aerator overnight in vinegar. The next day I scrub any remaining material.


Required pics:
- Clooged or decalcified aerator
- Cleaning/decalcifying the faucet
- Newly cleaned/decalcified faucet operating properly
- A description of the method for how the faucet aerator was cleaned/decalcified