How to Clean a Faucet Aerator

Quick answer

If your faucet sprays sideways, sputters, or has weak flow with the handle on, unscrew the aerator at the spout tip, soak the screen in vinegar, rinse, and reinstall. A drip when the faucet is off is a different problem—see leaky kitchen faucet repair. If flow is weak on many fixtures, use low water pressure troubleshooting instead of repeating aerator cleans.

A faucet aerator mixes air into the stream. Hard water minerals and tiny debris clog the screen over time, which changes spray pattern and reduces flow—even when shutoffs and cartridges are fine.

When aerator cleaning helps

What you need

Tools needed

• Cloth or towel
• Adjustable pliers (optional, pad jaws with cloth)
• White vinegar
• Small brush or old toothbrush
• Optional: replacement aerator matching your thread size

Step-by-step

1. Wrap the spout tip with a cloth so pliers do not scratch the finish.
2. Unscrew the aerator counterclockwise. Some tips are plastic rings; others are metal housings with screens inside.
3. Note the order of parts — screen, washer, and housing stack in a specific order. Photograph before soaking if needed.
4. Soak in vinegar 15–30 minutes to dissolve mineral deposits. Scrub gently; rinse thoroughly.
5. Reassemble and hand-tighten, then snug gently with padded pliers if needed—do not crush threads.
6. Run water and check spray. If flow is still poor, replace the aerator ($3–$8 at most hardware stores). Bring the old part to match threads (male vs female tip).

Common mistakes

• Confusing a clogged aerator with a cartridge leak
• Losing the tiny washer during reassembly
• Overtightening and cracking plastic rings
• Ignoring debris still in the spout after cleaning the screen alone

When to call a plumber

Bottom line

Cleaning a faucet aerator is a five-to-twenty-minute fix for spray and flow problems. Keep vinegar and a matching spare aerator on hand in hard-water areas. For drips, base leaks, or under-sink wetness, use the full kitchen faucet leak repair guide instead.