How to clean your faucet aerator for safe drinking water

Sophia Zollner<zollners@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - June 10, 2026

Updated from an original article written by Cathy Newkirk.

Aerators help keep lead and other particles out of your drinking water. Learn how to clean them, and how often.

A photo of vinegar, a toothbrush and a disassembled aerator. — Photo: Sophia Zollner/MSU Extension

An aerator is a fine screen on the faucets in your home used for drinking water. Aerators help keep lead and other particles out of your water. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends cleaning the aerators on your faucets used for drinking water at least every 6 months. If there are repairs being done on the public water system or pipes near your home, clean your aerators every month until the construction is done.

To clean your water faucet aerators:

The aerator is the small round piece at the very end of your faucet where the water comes out. Unscrew it with your fingers, or you may need a wrench if it is stuck.
Water is sometimes all that is needed to rinse off the aerator parts. If there is a buildup (of calcium or lime residue, for example) you might also need to use white vinegar and an old toothbrush.
Soak the aerator in a glass of vinegar to loosen the minerals. Usually, five minutes of soaking will loosen the particles. Use the toothbrush to scrub out the inside of the aerator. Be sure not to use this toothbrush for your teeth after.
If your aerator has several pieces take it apart completely - but make sure you pay attention to the order of the parts so you can put it back together again. You can take a photo or notes to refer to. Scrub all the pieces thoroughly with the toothbrush.
Next, rinse everything well. Run water through the aerator screen, holding it right side up and upside down.
Once the pieces are clean put them back together and reattach the aerator to the faucet.
Remember to clean your aerators at least every 6 months. You can make a reminder in your calendar or phone. Cleaning your aerators helps keep lead and other particles out of your water.

For answers to your safe food and water questions, call MSU Extension's Food Safety Hotline at 1-877-643-9882. For more information on food safety, visit MSU Extension's Food Safety website.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).