How to Clean a Moen Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet Spray Head

Pull-down kitchen faucets make various tasks much more manageable. Whether you’re rinsing vegetables or cleaning an oversized pot, a pull-down kitchen faucet can simplify the process. Instead of trying to manhandle the pot and manipulate the tap so the pot will fit under it, you can easily rinse the offending cookware.

Over time, your Moen pull-down kitchen faucet spray head may become clogged, blocking the water flow. Or, too many grubby hands have left fingerprints all over the faucet, managing to get dirt in the aerator and causing issues. Either way, we’re here to help, so continue reading to learn how to clean your kitchen faucet spray head easily.

Popular Moen Pull-Down Kitchen Faucets

Moen offers an abundant selection of pull-down kitchen faucets. They come in different configurations, styles, finishes, and price points, so there’s something to meet almost any aesthetic taste.

A few highly-rated popular Moen pull-down kitchen faucets include:

  • Moen Align Kitchen Faucet
  • Moen Alder Kitchen Faucet
  • Moen Brantford One-Handle Kitchen Faucet
  • Moen One-Handle Pulldown Kitchen Faucet
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Regardless of what product you have, the process to clean the pull-down spray head generally remains the same.

What Causes Clogged Kitchen Faucets?

The reduced flow of water from your kitchen faucet could result from various issues. If you have kids, it’s possible that dirt and grime from their hands worked their way into the aerator via grubby hands all over the faucet.

However, one of the most common culprits falls to hard water. If your home has hard water, there’s a good chance you’ll deal with mineral deposits in your faucets at some point. Minerals in the water build up in and around the faucet, leaving a hard residue.

Luckily, cleaning away dirt, grime, and mineral deposits isn’t hard. While it may take a few hours to soak, there’s very little work required on your part.

How To Clean A Pull-Down Spray Head

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There are a few methods for cleaning your Moen pull-down kitchen faucet spray nozzle. We’ll primarily focus on two different methods of cleaning: the aerator and a full spray head deep clean.

Clean The Aerator

The aerator in your kitchen faucet is the small screen hiding within the spout that infuses air into the water, converting it into little streams of water. Your pull-down faucet has an aerator too, but the configuration looks a little different.

Depending on the particular faucet model you have, you might have an aerator key. If you don’t have one, you can use an allen key or something else that fits in between the grooves of the aerator. Find something narrow enough that will fit so you can take the spray head apart.

There may be loose parts in the spray head (water saver, strainer, etc.), so ensure you cover the drain or garbage disposal so you don’t lose anything. Fit the allen key between the grooves in the aerator, then turn counterclockwise. Once you loosen it, you can finish the removal process with your thumbs.

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Set any internal parts aside. Hold the aerator under a steady stream of water and wipe away sediment with a sponge. Many times, that’s all it takes to remove gunk from within the aerator. If you can’t clean it thoroughly with a sponge, try using an old toothbrush (helpful for cleaning small, hard-to-reach areas).

Deep Cleaning Process

If you’ve had your faucet for a few years but haven’t deep cleaned it, it might be time for one. While everyday cleaning is good, your faucet will need a deep clean from time to time. Mineral deposits can accumulate inside the holes of the spray head and various internal parts (backflow preventer, etc.).

Since disassembling the entire spray head is quite the process and usually impractical, it’s easier to clean the whole thing. Here’s what you’ll need to clean the entire spray head:

  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Bowl large enough to submerge the spray head
  • Clothespin or clamp

Remove the entire spray head from the faucet hose. Usually, the spray head untwists from the hose. Use the clothespin or clamp to prevent the hose from retracting into the faucet.

Submerge the spray head in white vinegar. Allow it to soak for a few hours, but preferably overnight. After the spray head has soaked for a while, rinse it clean with warm water. Reattach it to the faucet hose, then check the flow to ensure everything works.

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