Cleaning a bathroom is not really a chore everyone looks forward to but it is also a chore that cannot be avoided. You may be able to live with a bit of dust or cob webs under the bed, but a dirty bathroom is something that would put you off immediately, especially since you use it on a daily basis and cannot avoid the griminess. Scrubbing bathtubs, wiping the tiles and brushing the toilet are probably not fun tasks but since they need to be done anyways, you might as well do it the right possible way. With a few handy tips and utensils, you would be able to get yourself a sparkling and clean bathroom. Follow the steps below to learn how to clean your bathroom.
Complexity Level: Basic
Time Required: 45 to 60 minutes
Resources Required:
- Toilet brush
- Broom (regular or rubber bristles)
- Scrub brush
- Trash can
- Bathroom cleansers (including floor cleaners, toilet cleaner and glass cleaner)
- Rags and cloths
- Disinfectant wipes
- Rubber gloves
- Mop
- Sponge
- Bleach
- Dust pan
- Spray bottle
Instructions:
1. Preparation
- Remove all the items that have not been fixed to the bathroom i.e. things that can can be easily removed like rugs, shower curtains, towels, waist bins, toilet rolls etc. Also check the cabinets and remove cosmetics, medicines and toiletries and remove any stands or floor shelves to make cleaning easier.
- Throw the dirty rugs, towels and curtains into the washing machine while you go about cleaning the bathroom.
- Sweep the bathroom floor to get rid of any dust.
2. Cleaning the walls, windows and ceiling
- Check if you have any moulds on the ceiling and start by spraying some bleach or a disinfectant solution to the area.
- Let it rest for a couple of minutes and continue the process with the walls, but only if they are lined with tiles. Otherwise, use a cleaning product suitable for the wall material.
- Spray some cleaning liquid on the windows and wipe them down, cleaning on the inside and outside. Use water and sponge if required to make this work easier.
- Go back to the ceiling and walls and start scrubbing them with sponges. If the mould is too stubborn, use a steel scrub to wipe it off or re-apply the cleaning solution and leave on for some more time.
- Rinse the walls and ceiling carefully with water to avoid any stripes and wipe them dry with a clean rag or wash cloth.
3. Cleaning the shower
- Spray a strong cleaning solution on the shower walls, the shower heads and on the faucets after making sure they don’t damage any of the fittings and fixtures.
- For the tubs, get spray cleansers or bleach which will remove soap scum, especially on tubs that haven’t been cleaned in a while. If there are rust, colored stains then use a cleanser that can get rid of lime scales and rust. Apply them on the the tub and give some time for it to work its way through.
- Once the time is up, scrub down the shower walls, faucet and shower head with hot water. Rinse down properly making sure no cleaning solution is left behind. Do the same for the tub as well.
- To dry the fixtures, walls and tub, use a chamois or squeegee.
4. Cleaning the sink and counter area
- Use a lighter cleaning product for the sink and counter area as they are prone to lesser stubborn stains. Scrub down all the soap scum and the toothpaste off the counters with a wet sponge. You can even use an old toothbrush to clean in between the tap and handles.
- Make sure you clean the fronts and tops of the cabinets, and even the insides with a clean sponge dipped in hot soapy water.
- The mirror can be cleaned with a clear spray liquid and then simultaneously wiped dry with a squigee.
5. Clean the toilet
- Pour some strong disinfectant into the toilet bowl and let it work its way through all the dirt.
- Meanwhile, wipe the exterior of the toilet, starting with the flush area, making sure you don’t reuse the cloth for cleaning any of the other surfaces. Also, remember to not miss out the underside and flared base of the toilet and the toilet seat and lid, which are areas that we tend to forget.
- Get back to the toilet bowl and using a strong toilet brush, scrub down the sides and bottom of the bowl continuously for a couple of minutes and then flush down with water.
6. Final care
- Clean and mop the floor thoroughly starting from the farthest point from the door. Hot soapy water should work just fine but make sure you don’t leave the sides and corners of the toilet bowl and the base boards uncleaned which have a tendency to accumulate lot of dust.
- Dispose the mop and all the dirty cloth and sponges you used for cleaning the bathroom and place all those items you removed from the bathroom back at the appropriate places.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I get rid of bathroom mold?
One way to prevent mold from forming in your bathroom is to apply a mix of hydrogen peroxide and water in a 1:1 ratio on the walls and ceiling. This mix acts as a non toxic bleach and keeps the mold from depositing in the corners.
Quick Tips:
1. If you have a bath tub that is made of acrylic or enamel then using scrubbers with metal parts will damage them. So, be extra cautious.
2. If you want to add a shine to your bathroom mirror then add a bit of vinegar to the hot soapy water.
Things To Watch Out For:
1. Make sure you don’t clean the counter area and the sink with the same rag you used for the toilet as it can spread disease causing germs.
2. Always wear rubber gloves before you clean a bathroom as some of the chemicals can be extremely harmful.
3. Make sure you leave your windows open so that the chemical-laden fumes won’t suffocate you.
