Slip joint pliers
Use it for: To loosen a stuck aerator without forcing it by hand.
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How to Clean a Faucet Aerator
To clean a faucet aerator, unscrew the aerator from the faucet tip, take the small parts apart in order, rinse out grit and mineral buildup, soak the pieces if needed, then reassemble and test the flow.
A clogged faucet aerator is a common cause of low flow, sputtering, or a spray that shoots sideways. This is usually a quick cleanup job, and you can often fix it without replacing the faucet.
Before you start: Match the thread size, thread type, and faucet compatibility before ordering. Stop if the repair becomes unsafe or unclear.
Safety first
- Close the sink drain before removing the aerator so small parts do not disappear down the drain.
- Use a rag between pliers and the aerator to reduce the chance of scratching the finish.
- Do not force a stuck aerator hard enough to twist or crack the faucet spout.
- Avoid metal picks or aggressive scraping on delicate screens and plastic inserts.
Tools you may need
Old rag or microfiber cloth
Use it for: To protect the aerator finish when using pliers and to catch small parts.
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Small bowl or cup
Use it for: To soak the aerator pieces and keep them from getting lost.
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White vinegar
Use it for: To dissolve light mineral buildup on the screen and housing.
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Old toothbrush or small soft brush
Use it for: To scrub away loosened scale and debris without damaging the screen.
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Toothpick or plastic pick
Use it for: To lift out trapped grit from small openings and threads.
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Step-by-step fix
Step 1: Make sure the aerator is the likely problem
- Turn on the faucet and watch the stream closely.
- Look for weak flow at this faucet only, sputtering, uneven spray, or water shooting off to one side.
- Compare hot and cold flow if your faucet has both.
- If other faucets in the house run normally and the problem is only at this spout, the aerator is a good first place to check.
If it works: The symptoms point to a clogged faucet aerator rather than a whole-house water problem.
If it doesn’t: If several fixtures have low pressure, or both the faucet and nearby shower are weak, the issue is probably upstream and cleaning the aerator may not solve it.
Stop if:
- Water is leaking from the faucet body, handle area, or under the sink instead of just flowing poorly from the spout.
- The spout tip is cracked, badly corroded, or feels loose enough that removing the aerator could damage it.
Step 2: Set up the sink and remove the aerator
- Close the sink drain so small parts cannot fall in.
- Wrap a rag around the aerator at the tip of the faucet.
- Try unscrewing it by hand first, turning counterclockwise as you face the faucet tip.
- If it is stuck, use slip-joint pliers over the rag and turn gently until it breaks free.
- Set the aerator parts on the counter in the order they came out.
If it works: The aerator is off the faucet and the parts are kept in order for reassembly.
If it doesn’t: If the aerator will not budge, soak the joint with vinegar on a rag for a while, then try again with light pressure.
Stop if:
- The aerator housing starts to deform, the faucet finish is tearing, or the spout itself begins twisting with the aerator.
Step 3: Take the aerator apart and rinse out loose debris
- Separate the housing, screen, flow pieces, and washer carefully.
- Lay the parts out in the same order and direction they came apart.
- Rinse each piece under water to remove sand, grit, and loose mineral flakes.
- Use a toothpick or plastic pick to clear debris from the screen and small openings without gouging them.
If it works: Loose debris is removed and you know how the parts stack back together.
If it doesn’t: If the parts are packed with white or green mineral buildup, move on to a vinegar soak before trying to reassemble.
Stop if:
- A screen is torn, a plastic insert is cracked, or the washer is split badly enough that it will not seal again.
Step 4: Soak and scrub away mineral buildup
- Place the aerator pieces in a bowl of white vinegar.
- Let them soak until the mineral buildup softens.
- Scrub the screen, housing, and inserts gently with an old toothbrush or small soft brush.
- Rinse everything well with clean water so loosened scale does not go back into the faucet.
If it works: The parts look clear, the screen openings are open, and the threads are free of crusted buildup.
If it doesn’t: If the screen stays clogged, the housing is badly corroded, or the parts will not clean up, replace the faucet aerator with a matching one.
Stop if:
- The metal is flaking apart, the threads are too damaged to reinstall, or the aerator pieces no longer fit together securely.
Step 5: Flush the faucet and reinstall the aerator
- Before reinstalling, briefly run the faucet with the aerator removed to flush out any grit sitting at the spout.
- Turn the water off after a short flush.
- Reassemble the aerator parts in the same order and direction as before.
- Thread the aerator back onto the faucet by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
- Snug it gently. If needed, use pliers over a rag for a light final tighten only.
If it works: The aerator is back on straight, snug, and ready for testing.
If it doesn’t: If the aerator will not thread on smoothly, back it off and start again by hand. Cross-threading will damage the faucet tip.
Stop if:
- The faucet threads are stripped, the aerator cannot seat squarely, or water starts leaking around the spout tip as soon as you test it.
Step 6: Test the faucet in real use
- Turn the faucet on fully and check the stream shape and flow.
- Switch between hot and cold if available and make sure both run smoothly.
- Watch the aerator connection for drips while the water is running and again right after shutoff.
- Use the faucet normally for a day or two and see whether the flow stays steady.
If it works: The faucet has a smooth, even stream with better flow and no dripping at the aerator.
If it doesn’t: If flow improves only briefly or stays weak, the aerator may need replacement or the restriction may be deeper in the faucet or supply line.
Stop if:
- Debris keeps returning quickly, which can point to buildup or deterioration elsewhere in the plumbing that needs further diagnosis.
Verify the repair
- The water stream is even instead of spraying sideways or sputtering.
- Flow is stronger than before at this faucet.
- There are no drips around the aerator threads during use or after shutoff.
- The faucet still runs properly after normal use later the same day.
FAQ
How do I know if the aerator is clogged?
A clogged aerator usually causes low flow at one faucet, a choppy or sputtering stream, or spray that shoots off at odd angles. If the rest of the house has normal pressure, the aerator is a strong suspect.
Do I need to shut off the water to clean a faucet aerator?
Usually no. You are removing the tip piece at the spout, not opening the supply lines. Just keep the faucet off while you remove and clean the aerator, then briefly run it to flush debris before reinstalling.
Can I clean a faucet aerator without removing it?
You might loosen some buildup by soaking the tip with vinegar, but the best result usually comes from taking the aerator off, cleaning the screen and inserts directly, and flushing the spout.
What if the aerator is stuck?
Try removing it by hand first, then use pliers over a rag for light grip. If mineral buildup is locking it in place, hold a vinegar-soaked rag around the aerator for a while and try again gently.
When should I replace the faucet aerator instead of cleaning it?
Replace it if the screen is torn, the housing is badly corroded, the threads are damaged, or the flow stays poor after a thorough cleaning. A matching replacement is often inexpensive and faster than fighting a worn-out one.