What Is a Sink Aerator? Its Purpose and How to Replace It

An aerator on a sink looks and feels like a mesh screen disk. Most kitchen and bathroom faucets have a sink aerator. An aerator may seem unnecessary—until the moment you remove it and you wonder why the water suddenly feels different. Find out the sink aerator's many valuable purposes and why you usually don't want a faucet without an aerator.

Why Does Your Sink Have an Aerator?

Faucet aerators first entered homes in the late 1940s as add-on devices that would reduce splashing and help water taste better by introducing oxygen.

The idea for a sink aerator came about when serial inventor Elie Aghnides observed water bubbling from a waterfall and wondered why that water tasted and felt so good. The answer: air.

Today, sink aerators are standard components on nearly all kitchen and bathroom sinks. However, you can also purchase separate faucet aerators and install them on faucets that are lacking or have broken aerators.

As the faucet aerator usually comes assembled, it only needs to be screwed onto the end of the faucet. So if there's already something screwed onto the end of your faucet and it has a mesh disk, you have an aerator.

Some aerators also have a disk with a hole in the center to act as a flow restrictor, allowing you to save water.

Sink Aerator Benefits

A sink aerator:

• Creates a wider stream of water.
• Lessens water splashing in the basin.
• Saves water by making the flow more productive.
• Saves water when a flow-restrictor aerator is installed.
• Activates soap faster due to the small water bubbles, saving both soap and water.
• Gives drinking water a lighter, fresher taste.

Where Not to Install a Sink Aerator

An aerator is not necessary and can even be counterproductive in some applications:

• Exterior faucets
• Garden hoses
• Shower faucets
• Bathtub faucets
• Clothes washer water supply faucets

In these cases, you don't need the lighter water stream that the aerator provides. Also, the sink aerator will limit the flow of water, when the maximum flow of water is actually desired.

How to Replace a Sink Aerator

Faucet aerators usually cost less than $10. Replace a sink aerator with pliers and a towel.

1. Clean the Faucet

   Clean the inside thread of the faucet with the towel.

2. Check the Aerator

   Before installation, ensure that the aerator is fully assembled. A faucet aerator must have the washer in place to prevent leakage.

3. Position the Aerator

   Place the aerator into the end of the faucet until the threads catch.

4. Screw on the Sink Aerator

   Manually screw the aerator clockwise firmly into the faucet.

5. Tighten the Sink Aerator

   Wrap the towel around the faucet aerator. Tighten the aerator with the wrench.

6. Test the Faucet

   Turn the water on full volume to test.

   Tip

   If water comes out around the aerator, it might not be tight enough. But avoid tightening the aerator too much, or you risk stripping the threads on both the faucet and aerator.

How to Clean a Faucet Aerator

Clean the sink aerator once or twice a year to maintain water freshness. Here's how:

1. Close the sink stopper to avoid losing parts down the drain.
2. Remove the faucet aerator, and place it on a clean towel.
3. Take the aerator apart if possible.
4. Soak the aerator in white vinegar (or CLR) for an hour.
5. Remove the vinegar, and rinse with fresh water.
6. Replace the aerator on the faucet.
7. Turn on the water to test.