The bathroom is arguably one of the dirtiest rooms of your house and one of the most important to keep clean regularly. Most people commit to cleaning their bathrooms at least once a week, if not more frequently, but do you feel confident that you’re cleaning your bathroom correctly?
Stock the Right Cleaning Products and Tools
Different cleaning products have different functions – and different strengths and weaknesses. While “all-purpose” bathroom cleaner can be used on most surfaces, it’s not the best choice for every stain or spill. It’s always better to have many different cleaning products available so you always have what you need.
These are some of the most essentials:
· Toilet bowl cleaner. Toilets are designed to be durable and resilient to withstand even the harshest cleaning products. Toilet bowl cleaner is made to be extremely tough on stains, and it’s the best tool to keep your toilet in good visible condition.
· Glass cleaner. Cleaning your mirror, windows, and glass shower doors isn’t hard, but you need a good glass cleaning product if you want a perfect finish without streaks. Be sure to follow the cleaning instructions appropriately.
· All-purpose bathroom cleaner. All-purpose bathroom cleaner is a general cleaning product used on various surfaces in your bathroom. Experiment with different brands (one at a time) to determine which is best for your budget and bathroom needs.
· Vinegar and baking soda. Sometimes, fancy chemical-based cleaning products aren’t necessary. Simple household supplies like baking soda and vinegar may be enough to eliminate stains and provide a thorough cleaning. As a bonus, you can sometimes use baking soda and vinegar to clear clogged drains.
· Disinfectants. Bathrooms often gross people out – and for a good reason. In public bathrooms, 64 percent of people flush the toilet with their feet out of fear of contracting germs. But toilets aren’t the only surface home to germs in a bathroom; there are germs everywhere. You’ll need disinfectant wipes and sprays to eliminate these germs and reduce the spread of contagious illnesses.
Having the right supplies to apply and use these cleaning products is also important.
· Brushes.
· Spray bottles.
· Sponges.
· Cloths.
· Squeegees.
· Broom, mop, and bucket.
· Gloves.
When using cleaning products like these, ensure proper ventilation; open a window, turn on a fan, and ensure you’re not inhaling the fumes directly. Additionally, never mix cleaning products together. Doing so is extremely dangerous.
Set a Schedule (and Divide Responsibilities)
Cleaning the bathroom isn’t a one-time mission; you must do it regularly to keep the environment clean. Accordingly, you should set a schedule and clean the bathroom at regular intervals.
· Daily. Every day, you should take the time to clean your bathroom. Depending on the condition of the bathroom, that might mean dusting, wiping down commonly touched surfaces with disinfectant, and quickly wiping down your mirror.
· Weekly. Every week, you should give your bathroom a more thorough cleaning. That should include deeply cleaning the toilet bowl, cleaning the sink, wiping down handles and knobs, thoroughly cleaning your mirror, and cleaning your shower doors. You can also take this time to change out and wash your towels (if you’re not doing it multiple times a week already).
· Monthly. Once a month, you can practice even deeper cleaning, sweeping and mopping the floors, washing your rugs and mats, and hitting less commonly used areas like baseboards.
Keeping up with bathrooms can be time-consuming, so if you live with roommates or family members, consider dividing tasks.
Declutter and Organize
When cleaning bathrooms, most people think about the gritty tasks like sweeping, mopping, dusting, and scrubbing – but it’s also important to spend time decluttering and organizing. Even if your bathroom is perfectly hygienic, a messy pile of hair and oral care products can be unsightly. Try to keep things out of sight and intuitively organized.
Work From the Top Down
When cleaning the bathroom, try to work from the top down. If your cleaning process shuffles dust and dirt around, you won’t have to clean up after yourself constantly.
Proactively Soak Tough Areas
Some stains and problematic issues won’t disappear with a simple wipe-down. Learn to proactively recognize and thoroughly soak these areas before scrubbing them clean.
Cleaning a bathroom doesn’t take long, but it supports a healthier, more comfortable environment for you and your family. Commit to cleaning the bathroom regularly if you want to enjoy the benefits.