Anyone who's passionate about cleaning bathrooms is likely not trusted around children and small animals! Seriously, it's easy to think there's something wrong with anybody who thrives on what turns everyone else off! The reality is that cleaning bathrooms is generally our least favorite target on cleaning day. Besides the historical 'yuck' factor, we may still have flashbacks to irritable bowels and camping out in the bathroom in the aftermath of over-indulgent evenings out. And just think how thrilled we were to buy a new home with FOUR bathrooms!
Let's face it, the biggest reason to dislike cleaning the bathroom is because everyone else dislikes the job just as much as you, which guarantees it hasn't been done regularly. And then the longer it goes uncleaned...! But, as long as the job needs doing, here are some helpful guidelines for how to clean bathrooms well and quickly.
Get Supplies
Before cleaning anything, get the right tools and agents ready to go: gloves, mop, sponge, paper towels, scrub brush, toilet brush, surface and glass cleaners (in spray bottles), hard water stain removers, scum removers, and something for the floor. You may want to opt for a separate tote unit just for bathroom supplies since no other room requires as many.
Tidy Up
Get everything off the floor, off the back of the sink, up off the shower floor, and out of the tub enclosure. If something doesn't have a logical place in the bathroom, move it out or dispose of it. Toss the used towels and rugs in the washer.
Toilet First!
Sticking with our overall strategy of beginning with the messiest or toughest job first, this usually means the toilet. Toilets have a simple function and don't require complex handling on cleaning day (it's more about attitude!). A stiff toilet brush will almost always take care of surface stains. Hard water stains will require a little more effort, however, and may mean letting a solution set for a period of time. Hand scouring is very likely if the bowl hasn't been cleaned for some time. Wipe down the outside surfaces as well, and don't neglect any grime that has built up around the pedestal base. A good anti-bacterial spray will come in handy and likely deodorize at the same time.
Shower/Tub
Tackle the shower or tub enclosure next. Wipe down all surfaces with a strong cleaning solution and take care of soap scum. Remove any hair or foreign debris from the drain and wipe down the hardware. For tub enclosures, take time to clean out around and in the door track - a real grime magnet! Tackle hard water stains as needed. Shower curtain liners are infamous for collecting unsightly mildew, so wash it down by hand, toss it in the washer, or simply replace it (my favorite choice!).
Sink
Next, clean the sink. Take care of any hard water stains and thoroughly clean the hardware (valve handles and spigot). Make sure the drain is clear of hair and other debris. For free-standing sinks, don't forget the outside surfaces. Use glass cleaner (or your own vinegar-based solution) on the mirror.
Floor
Finally, mop the floor, paying special attention to the baseboard areas and around the base of the toilet where grime readily accumulates. Assume the floor and waste receptacle are major sources of offending odors and clean and deodorize them thoroughly. Wax floor if desired. Restock with fresh towels, replace rugs, and you're ready to go.
And that's how to clean bathrooms! The real challenge is to keep bathrooms clean. The surest - and most difficult - strategy is to institute daily cleaning procedures to prevent the kind of buildup that grosses many people out in the first place. Keep sponges and rags handy for wipe downs after use. Clue everybody in and post a to-do list nearby as needed. Have a spray bottle of surface spray (commercial or your own bleach-based solution) to treat shower and tub enclosure walls after daily use. Do this, and the amount of work required on cleaning day will be significantly reduced. No fuss, no muss!
Debra Marx is cleaning enthusiast who lives in Hawaii. For more great cleaning tips to keep your home clean and organized, visit [http://www.housecleaningtipspro.com]
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