Removing a shower head is straightforward when you have an adjustable wrench or pliers. However, if you don’t have the right tools, you will have to get creative with the items you have on hand.
Here’s how you can attempt to remove a shower head without a wrench:
Prep the shower head with CLR, vinegar, and WD-40
Before removing the shower head, clean the mineral deposits left behind by your water. This is especially important if you have hard water, as calcium, magnesium, and other minerals can lead to serious buildup. To remove the debris, we recommend using a cleaner such as CLR or vinegar, if you prefer a natural solution, to dissolve the deposits. You’ll want to apply this around the connection point between the shower head and the arm.
When applying the cleaner, let it rest on the join for about 10 to 15 minutes and wipe away the remaining residue. For a deeper soak, you can tie a storage bag filled with the cleaner around the connection joint and submerge it for 30 minutes.
Once cleaned, spray WD-40 or another lubricant around the connection point to help penetrate rust, loosen the connection, and make the removal easier. Be sure to wipe away excess lubricant with a rag to get a better grip on the shower head.
Avoid strain on the shower arm
Before removal, it is important to know how the shower head should be removed to not cause unnecessary damage, especially to the pipe behind the wall. The shower arm, the piece that the shower head connects to, is connected to the water main line behind the wall. The connection is perpendicular and, as a result, shouldn’t be pushed or pulled in any direction. Therefore, when removing the shower head, you’ll want to make sure you are twisting in a clockwise direction.
Attempt to hand loosen with grippy gloves or a rag
Before attempting other removal methods, try to remove the shower head by hand. One way of doing this is using the right rag or gloves. We find that textured or grippy rags like a jar opener, leathery polyester or rayon material (something like the ShamWow), or even rubber gloves provide enough friction to help to keep a firm grip on the shower head while loosening.
Follow these steps to take your shower head off by hand:
- With your dominant hand, firmly grip the shower head’s connection joint with your preferred material.
- Firmly twist counterclockwise. Be careful not to push or pull the shower head in any direction.
- If the shower head doesn’t come off, try with another rag or continue with another method outlined below.
Use a belt as a wrench
When properly affixed, a leather belt with a buckle can be used as a substitute for a wrench to remove a shower head. Cloth or synthetic belts will not work as well.
Here’s how to do it:
- Loop the belt around the shower head’s connection joint with the buckle facing the wall or ceiling.
- Pull the belt tail through the buckle and pull it tight till it is taut.
- Grip close to the buckle and pull the belt tail counterclockwise.
- If the shower head doesn’t loosen, you may need to remove some slack between the belt and the shower head.
Other DIY methods
Some other methods folks may use are duct tape, twine, and rope. The idea is to use something that will provide enough friction to help loosen the shower head while having an adequate handle so you can get a firm grip. You may need to experiment here to find the right material for your shower head. However, you’ll want to be careful not to damage the shower head or the shower arm in the process.
Other household tools that may work
One tool that can be a good substitute for an adjustable wrench includes a nut and bolt (the larger, the better), strap wrench, clamps, and zip ties. These may provide an adequate grip on the connection joint to help loosen the shower head.
