How to Clean Your Aerators
One way to protect your household from lead is to periodically clean your faucet aerators. Aerators are small attachments at the tips of faucets that regulate the flow of water. Over time, tiny particles of lead can break off and get trapped in aerator baskets, eventually contaminating the water.
Cleaning them only takes a few minutes –
here’s how:
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1. Unscrew the small round piece that is attached to the bottom of your faucet; if it hasn’t been removed in a while, you may need to give it a gentle counter-clockwise turn with a wrench.
2. In most cases, you can remove small debris by simply turning the aerator over and rinsing it with water. However, grime or stubborn pieces can be removed using a glass of vinegar and an old toothbrush.
3. You can soak the aerator as long as necessary in the vinegar, but five minutes will be sufficient. Simply brush off any particles and rinse with water.
4. Reassemble the aerator, which normally has a washer to prevent leaks, and screw it back onto your faucet. It’s that easy!
5. Repeat this procedure every few weeks to prevent build-up.
