How to Clean Faucet Filter | 15-Minute Vinegar Soak

Clean a faucet filter by unscrewing the aerator, soaking it in white vinegar, scrubbing it with a toothbrush, and reinstalling it in the same order.

A slow trickle or scattered spray usually means one thing: mineral buildup has clogged the small mesh screen inside your faucet tip. That part is the aerator, and it twists off by hand in most cases. Cleaning it takes about 15 minutes with items you already own, and doing it monthly keeps the flow strong. Here is the process that works, plus what to do when the aerator won’t budge.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Gather these before you begin so you aren’t hunting mid-task:

• White vinegar (plain distilled works best)
• An old toothbrush
• A small bowl or cup for soaking
• A rag or towel for the sink drain
• Masking tape (to protect the finish if you need tools)
• Pliers or an adjustable wrench, plus an aerator key for recessed models

Drop the rag in the sink first—it catches any dropped parts and prevents them from vanishing down the drain. That one step saves you a plumbing call later.

How to Remove the Aerator

Most aerators unscrew counterclockwise by hand. Grip the rim and turn left; it should release without much effort. If it doesn’t move, wrap a rag or masking tape around the outside and use pliers or a wrench, turning gently.

Some faucets hide the aerator inside the spout tip—these are recessed or “hidden” models. You’ll see a small hole in the rim where a key fits. Use an aerator key designed for that size; forcing a recessed aerator with a screwdriver or knife can damage the faucet. When in doubt, check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific faucet model.

The Clean: Vinegar Soak and Scrub

Start by noting the part order. Lay the aerator pieces out in sequence, or take a photo with your phone—some aerators have multiple washers and screens that must return in the exact same arrangement. Rinse away loose debris under running water before soaking.

Submerge the aerator and its screen in white vinegar, completely covering them. Stubborn mineral crust may need 20–30 minutes—vinegar dissolves calcium carbonate without harsh chemicals, so a longer soak won’t hurt the parts.

After soaking, scrub the screen gently with the old toothbrush, working around the mesh to lift loose scale. Hold the screen upside down while you rinse so debris washes out rather than lodging deeper into the mesh. Rinse each piece thoroughly on both sides, then reassemble in the original order, matching your photo or layout.

Reassembling the Faucet Filter

Hand-tighten the aerator back onto the faucet first. Turn until it seats snugly, then give it a gentle extra quarter-turn with the wrench or key if needed—New Jersey’s guidance says hand-tighten first, then tighten gently, never force it. Overtightening can crush the rubber washer and cause leaks around the rim.

Turn the water back on and check the flow. A normal, even stream confirms the screen is clean and seated correctly. If the spray is still uneven, remove the aerator again, check the part order against your photo, and re-soak any remaining scale.

Make this a quick habit. For most homes, monthly cleaning is plenty.

Aerators are small, but they do real work filtering sediment and shaping the stream. Cleaning yours every few weeks costs minutes, not money, and keeps a steady flow at every tap.

If your current aerator is beyond saving or you want better filtration, check out our roundup of the best bath faucet filter options tested for flow and sediment reduction.