How to Remove and Clean a Faucet Aerator

Attempt to Remove by Hand

Start by trying to unscrew the aerator from the spout by hand. Most faucet aerators have been threaded on by hand, and often you can unscrew it the same way. Make sure to dry off both the faucet and your hands first in order to get a good grip. 

Use Pliers

If removing by hand does not work, the next step is to try pliers. If the aerator is in good condition and you want to reuse it, wrap a rag or masking tape around the aerator to protect the metal surface against scratches before gripping it with the pliers. A small pair of channel-type pliers works best for this. 

Grip the aerator between the jaws of the pliers, taking care to keep the jaws only on the aerator, not the faucet spout. Turn the aerator counter-clockwise (as viewed upward from below the spout) to unscrew it from the spout. If this does not work, try moving the pliers a quarter-turn around the aerator, and try unscrewing the aerator from the new position. (Moving to different positions can gradually loosen a stubborn aerator.) Take care not to grip the aerator too tightly, because the metal is soft and will bend easily, making your job even harder.

Heat the Aerator

When even the pliers don't easily remove the aerator, you can try applying gentle heat using a hairdryer, which may slightly expand the metal and make it possible to loosen it with pliers. Even a lit match held near the aerator may loosen the metal. Apply heat in moderation, though, as it is easy to melt any plastic parts or rubber washers if the aerator is overheated.

Cheaper faucets may actually use a plastic screw-on aerator—never use heat on plastic parts.

Apply Penetrating Oil

If heat also fails, try spraying penetrating oil (such as WD-40 or a similar product) on the threads and let it sit for a few minutes before trying again with pliers. Wipe off oil from the surface of the aerator before trying to unscrew it because oil makes the metal slippery.

Clean the Aerator

Once the aerator is removed, separate the parts and note their arrangement. There can be a surprising number of small parts within the aerator, and they must go back together in the same fashion in order to function correctly.

Use a small stiff brush to clean away any grit or mineral deposits from the screen and other parts of the aerator assembly. If there is a substantial amount of mineral buildup, soak the parts overnight in a lime-dissolving solution, such as Lime-Away.

Replace the Aerator if Necessary

If the metal screen or other parts are rusted or otherwise damaged, it is usually easiest just to buy a replacement aerator assembly. A variety of aerator heads are available, including swivel-head types that improve the functionality of the faucet.

Reassemble the Faucet

Reassemble the aerator, orienting the parts in the same way you found them when you removed it, and then screw it onto the faucet spout. Hand-tightening is usually sufficient, but if you notice leaking around the aerator threads when you test the faucet, tighten the aerator slightly more, using channel-type pliers.