For many people, the bathroom is the most comforting part of the house. But cleaning it is usually not very fun. There’s the slime, mildew, soap scum, grout, and rusty bacteria that you have to scrub clean. Not only does this take time, but there’s also the gross factor involved.
But it doesn’t have to be such an unpleasant experience. There are simple ways to make the job much easier and more enjoyable.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your cleaning process more manageable. After all, home is where a clean bathroom is.
What Germs Exist in the Bathroom?
Do you know that hundreds of millions of bacteria lurk in your bathroom? They hide in your shower, basins, loofahs, door and faucet handles, floors, and towels. Somewhat disturbingly, bacteria can even hide in your toothbrush.
Regular bathroom cleaning is critical because most germs can stay for hours or days. Use bleach or antibacterial spray to reduce massive colonies of bacteria. If not done regularly, bacteria could bring illnesses like staph infections and strep throat.
Here are the types of bacteria you need to focus on removing:
- E. Coli
- Salmonella
- Staphylococcus Aureus
- Streptococcus
- Mycobacterium Avium
What Bathroom Cleaning Tools Do You Need?
Generally, you only need scrubs and bleach to wipe those germs away. However, some parts of your bathroom will need more than just bleach to get sparkly clean. And you’ll need some protection against potentially harmful cleaning chemicals.
Here’s a list of bathroom cleaning tools you will need:
- Glass cleaner
- Disinfectant spray
- Tub and tile cleaner
- Toilet brush and bowl cleaner
- Vacuum, broom, or mop
- Microfiber cloths or sponge
- Rubber gloves
- Face mask
- All-purpose cleaning solution (ex: bleach)
5 Steps to Cleaning Your Bathroom Right
If you want a sparkling clean bathroom, follow the five steps below.
Step 1: Dust and Declutter
The first rule is to clean dry before cleaning wet. Remove hairs and dust from walls, tiles, light fixtures, shelves, containers, and around the mirror.
It’s best to work top-to-bottom to avoid cleaning dust from the floor multiple times. Use a microfiber cloth for flat surfaces. Reach out with a long broom for stubborn cobwebs.
Keeping everything organized is part of cleaning your bathroom. Throw out the trash, empty bottles, sachets, or toothpaste. Check out some bathroom stuff you might not use anymore, like old toothbrushes and moldy loofahs.
Step 2: Warming Up
Dirt and grime can be aggressive to clean. Heating tile and tub with hot water or bathroom steamers can loosen stubborn grimes.
Hot water kills bacteria. Leave the hot water to sit and then drain the tub and proceed to remove all kinds of dirt.
Step 3: Clean with Disinfectants
If you’re using an antibacterial spray, sprinkle it on every surface of your bathroom’s tile, tub, counter, basin, floor, and around the toilet. If you’re using bleach, apply it on the same parts and spread it evenly with a sponge.
Let the cleaning solution sit for 5-10 minutes again to let it work its wonders.
Step 4: Brush Tub and Tiles
It’s finally time to make your bathroom look squeaky clean. Use a scrub brush or non-scratch pads to eliminate dirt, grime, and mold in your bathroom. Any grime present should be easier to remove because of the cleaning solution.
Step 5: Rinse and Pat Dry
It’s essential never to forget the final touches of cleaning your bathroom. Rinse everything with water, wipe it with cotton rags, and dry the floor.
If not rinsed, dirt can stick and work back to your unwashed cleansing solution.
Tips for Cleaning Bathroom Furniture
Whether you’re all in for a deep clean or just taking it one step at a time, it’s essential to give special care to each bathroom space.
Here are some tips for cleaning dirty bathroom furniture.
Bathroom Countertops
The surface of countertops is exposed to everything. It might be soap scrum, makeup residue, hair spray, or last week’s spilled toothpaste. Wipe the dust dry before scrubbing clean. Include the countertop items like soap dispensers and vases.
An all-purpose cleaner is generally effective for different types of countertops. If you have granite cleaner, use it for granite counters.
If the bathroom counter is made of cultured marble, be careful not to scratch it with abrasive cleaners. If it’s made with laminated plastic, scrubbing fibers and a sponge can be helpful. Scrub to loosen the dirt, then use your sponge to wipe it clean.
Toilets
Germs can linger in your toilet more than other pieces of bathroom furniture, even after flushing.
Using the toilet involves a lot of invisible splashing. When it’s used while uncleaned, germs can spread to other surfaces. So you should clean the seat, flush handle, and bowl regularly.
You can use a toilet cleaner or a cup of baking soda to remove grime buildup. Read the labels of the product first to know its directions for use. Pour into a bowl, let sit for 5-10 minutes, then scrub and flush.
Toilet cleaners or chlorine bleach can have strong chemical formulations. Wearing a face mask and rubber gloves can prevent harmful chemical contact.
Bathroom Mirrors
Isn’t it annoying to see white spots in your mirror instead of seeing your reflection? Cleaning your bathroom mirror is not a complicated task. But it needs the right tools and supplies.
You can choose between an all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner spray, or vinegar in your pantry. Then wipe clean with a folded or crumpled newspaper. Repeat several times until the mirror looks dry and clear. Wipe again with a clean, soft cloth for a clear shine.
For stubborn white casts, spot-cleaning your bathroom is the most effective.
Showerheads
Mineral residues in the holes of your showerheads are unpleasant and unsanitary.
Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar into a cup. Remove the shower head and disassemble the parts properly. Then soak it into the mixture for 3-5 minutes.
Use a small brush to scrub the rust and mineral in the showerhead holes. For the tiny holes, poke with a toothpick to remove clogging deposits. Rinse clean until satisfied.
Bathtubs
It’ll be easier to clean your tub if you rinse it with water after using it. Regularly brush with a sponge and soap to prevent grime and oil buildup.
If your bathtub is stained with stubborn grimes and soil, use your regular cleaning solution. A disinfectant spray or all-purpose cleaner is generally safe.
If your tub is made of porcelain or fiberglass, use nonabrasive cleansers or powders. Fiberglass cleaners are also ideal for fiberglass tubs.
Gross soap scum or grime in the bathtub ring can be removed with hydrogen peroxide.
Create a Bathroom Cleaning Routine
Cleaning your bathroom is a task you might feel like pushing down your to-do list.
But a daily routine can make your monthly deep cleaning easier. Wiping the doorknobs, counters, faucets, or mirrors are small things you can do daily. Now your bathroom can look sparkly and sanitary every day.
