Bathroom Faucet Low Water Pressure? The 2-Minute Aerator Clean
A clogged aerator is the usual cause of a weak bathroom faucet stream. Unscrew it, clean it in vinegar, and replace it for a few dollars if it is worn.
By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 7 min read
- Time
- 10 min
- Cost
- Under $20
- Difficulty
- Easy
In this guide
Quick answer
Why does a bathroom faucet have low water pressure? Most often the aerator at the spout tip is clogged with mineral grit. Unscrew it, rinse out the debris, soak it in white vinegar for 30 minutes and screw it back on. If the screen is torn or the flow is still weak, a new aerator costs a few dollars and fixes it for good.
Free fix vs. permanent fix
Clean the aerator in vinegar
- Unscrew the aerator from the tip of the spout
- Rinse out the grit and check the screen
- Soak it in white vinegar for 30 minutes
- Scrub with an old toothbrush and screw it back on
How long it lasts: Months to a year. In hard-water areas the grit builds up again.
A new faucet aerator
Cleaning removes most grit, but screens wear and mineral scale can pit the plastic. A new aerator costs a few dollars, takes two minutes to fit and restores a smooth stream. It is the cleanest fix when the old one will not come clean.
What to get: Replacement faucet aerator
How long it lasts: Years. A new aerator has a fresh screen and washer and restores the full stream.
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What you'll need
-
Cloth or rag
Wrap it around the aerator so pliers do not scratch the finish
You have it -
Adjustable pliers
Only if it will not turn by hand
You have it -
White vinegar
Dissolves mineral scale
You have it -
Old toothbrush
For the screen and the threads
You have it - Our pick Illustration
Replacement faucet aerator
Match the size and thread type of your old one
- Illustration
Aerator assortment kit with key
For odd sizes and hidden aerators
Why it happens
Grit and scale in the aerator
The aerator is a small screen at the spout tip. Mineral flakes from hard water and bits of pipe sediment collect in it. A thin layer of buildup cuts the flow a lot.
A partly closed shut-off valve
The small valves under the sink can be bumped or left part-open after a repair. A valve that is only a quarter open gives weak flow on just that faucet.
A clogged cartridge or kinked supply line
If flow stays weak with the aerator off, the faucet cartridge or the braided hose under the sink may be clogged or kinked. Low flow on the hot side only points to sediment on that side.
Low pressure to the whole house
If every fixture is weak, the faucet is not the problem. Check the main shut-off valve and ask your water utility or a plumber.
Try this first (free)
Do these in order, starting with the simplest.
-
Check that it is only this faucet
Run the hot and cold taps in this sink and a faucet elsewhere in the house. If only one stream is weak, the aerator is the likely cause. If every tap is weak, see the last section.
-
Unscrew the aerator
Tool used: Cloth or ragTurn it counterclockwise by hand. If it is stuck, wrap a cloth around it and use pliers so the finish does not scratch. Some faucets hide the aerator inside the spout and need a small key.
-
Flush and inspect
Run the faucet for 10 seconds with the aerator off to flush out grit. If the flow is strong now, the aerator was the problem. Take the parts apart and note the order of the screen and washer.
-
Soak and scrub in vinegar
Tool used: White vinegarDrop the parts into a cup of white vinegar for 30 minutes, or a few hours for heavy scale. Scrub the screen with an old toothbrush and rinse.
-
Reinstall, or replace if damaged
Tool used: Replacement faucet aeratorReassemble with the rubber washer in place and tighten by hand. If the screen is torn, the plastic is cracked or the flow is still weak, fit a new aerator in the same size.
IllustrationCheck price on AmazonTool for this step
Replacement faucet aerator · Match the size and thread type of your old one
When free fixes aren't enough
If cleaning does not bring the flow back, inspect the aerator. A pitted, cracked or torn one cannot be cleaned, and a new one is the fix. If flow is weak even with the aerator off, open the shut-off valves under the sink fully, then check the supply lines. If only the hot side is weak, sediment in the hot line or the water heater is likely. If every fixture is weak, or you see leaks, brown water or hear banging pipes, call a plumber or your water utility.
Buy the fix
Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.
| Pick | Product | Fixes | Who it's for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best pick | Replacement faucet aerator | a clogged, worn or torn aerator that cleaning will not restore | Anyone whose aerator is cracked, torn or so scaled that vinegar does not clean it. | Check price |
| Upgrade pick | Aerator assortment kit with adapters and key | not knowing your aerator size, or a hidden aerator you cannot remove | People who are unsure of the size, or who have several faucets to do. | Check price |
Replacement faucet aerator
Fixes: a clogged, worn or torn aerator that cleaning will not restore
Look for: The same thread size and type (male or female) as your old one, so match it first; A flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute or less, typical for bathroom sinks; Lead-free brass or a finish that matches your faucet; A fine screen that gives a smooth, non-splashing stream.
- Who it's for
- Anyone whose aerator is cracked, torn or so scaled that vinegar does not clean it.
- Honest downside
- Your faucet has a hidden aerator and you do not have the key, or the flow is weak even with the aerator off.
Aerator assortment kit with adapters and key
Fixes: not knowing your aerator size, or a hidden aerator you cannot remove
Look for: Several thread sizes, male and female; A removal key for hidden aerators; Rubber washers included.
- Who it's for
- People who are unsure of the size, or who have several faucets to do.
- Honest downside
- You already know your size. A single replacement costs less.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We don't show prices because they change, so use the button to see today's price.
How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on faucet care guides, plumbing advice on aerators and water-flow ratings, and the problems and fixes people report in reviews. We do not test products by hand.
How to find your aerator size
- Male or female: a male aerator has threads on the outside and screws into the spout. A female one has threads inside and fits over the spout.
- Take the old one with you, or compare it to the pack.
- Hidden aerator: if the spout tip is smooth, the aerator sits inside and needs a small key.
- Check the gallons per minute printed on the old one, and match it.
What to skip
Harsh descalers and taking the faucet apart first
Skip strong acid descalers on the faucet body, which can strip finishes and damage seals. And do not pull the cartridge apart before you have cleaned the aerator, since most low flow is just the aerator.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my bathroom sink water pressure low on just the hot side?
How do I fix bathroom faucet low water pressure if the aerator is clean?
Why is my bathroom faucet running slow or not flowing well all of a sudden?
Why does my bathroom faucet not run water at all?
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