Make cleaning the smallest room in the house easier with these small changes.
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone whose favourite chore is cleaning the bathroom. Then again, it’d be harder to find someone who doesn’t love a long soak in a hot bath after a busy day – and you wouldn’t want to lie there looking at grimy grouting or a smeared shower screen!
There are small things you can do everyday that will help you have a pristine bathroom. Here are a few of these tips for making sure your bathroom gets spit-shine clean without ruining your entire weekend.
1. Multitask
With a little multitasking, you can save time when you clean your bathroom . Pour your cleaner of choice in the toilet before you start. Let it soak while you clean the rest of your bathroom. Optional: Use the bathroom sink for your bucket. (No bucket to rinse out, plus the sink basin soaks while you clean everything else.)
2. Squeegee the bathroom walls
After every shower, keep a squeegee in your shower, and wipe down the walls. This keeps water spots and soap buildup from forming. You’ll only need to scrub the shower walls down more thoroughly once a month or so.
3. Soak the shower head
Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar. Tie the bag in place (a grocery store bag works great) over the shower head. Let it soak overnight. Rinse away the buildup with ease in the morning.
4. Toothbrush it
Using a toothbrush and bleach is the most effective way to remove mildew from grout. Dip the toothbrush straight into the bleach and scrub. If you tackle the mildew as soon as you see it, you can prevent it from spreading to other areas of the tub. Use an old electric toothbrush to save your arms from pain. Bonus tip: Reseal your grout every six months to keep moisture at bay.
5. Steam it up
Spray the walls, ceiling and counters with cleaner to get your bathroom super clean. Turn your shower on super hot, and let the steam accumulate. Shut off the shower, close the door, and let the cleaner sit in the steamy room for about 20 to 30 minutes. Wipe everything down with a cloth. (Use a microfiber mop to hit the ceiling.)
6. Clean where the eye can’t see
Martha Stewart suggests that you should clean the pipes in your bathroom sink every two months to keep your drains from clogging. Simply pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar. Allow the mixture to bubble for a few minutes before rinsing with a pan of boiling water. (P.S. Try this for the garbage disposal too!)
7. Don’t forget the toys
If your little ones have bath toys, clean and disinfect them at least once a month. Simply fill a bucket with warm water, add 1/2 cup of vinegar (per gallon of water), toss in the toys, and let them soak for at least 10 minutes. Air-dry.
8. Use tea to clean the mirror
Brew a few bags of black tea, let it cool, and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray your mirrors with the tea, and wipe away with newspaper for a streak-free shine. You can save the tea to use again later!
9. Give the toilet brush some love
The toilet brush accumulates germs pretty quickly, so give the brush a cleaning by soaking it in all-purpose cleaner or bleach for about 20 minutes.
10. Wash the shower curtain in the machine
Yes, you can wash your plastic liner in the washer! Just add a few towels to the load as well. Wash with gentle soap and add 1/2 cup of baking soda during the wash cycle and 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse. Allow the curtain to air-dry.
