How to Clean Your Bathtub: 10 Tips to Keep Every Part of Your Bathroom Spotless
Considering what we put them through, it’s not surprising to learn that bathrooms are the most notoriously difficult rooms to keep clean — but the fastest. The
Why’s that? Because there are plenty of products, cleaners and DIY hacks made specifically to make the job of cleaning your bathroom a quick and easy one.
Whereas other rooms often require vacuuming, putting things away, dusting and only then can they be cleaned, each part of the bathroom has a specific function — and a specific way to clean it.
In fact, cleaning your bathroom can quickly become your easiest household chore. How? With these 10 tips we’ve rounded up. Let’s get started.
1. Shower Curtains
This is the prime place for water to sit and grow moldy. That smell you smell is coming from your curtain. Depending on what material it’s made out of, you can choose to spray it with an all-purpose cleaner or use a squeegee after each use to keep your curtain from deteriorating to that extent.
Once in a while, vinyl, synthetic and even cotton shower-liners can be thrown into the washing machine. Put a hot water cycle and use a very mild detergent. Do not, however, machine dry — spread the liner in the sun, on a line.
2. Circulate Air
There are some preventative measures you can take that can reduce overall growth of unwanted substances. Mildew, for example, can grow on shower curtains, and in between grout. Since grout is porous, it absorbs oils from shampoos, conditioners and soaps.
To clean mildew, you can use a DIY mixture of 10 parts water to 1 part bleach. Brush the offending area with a soft-bristled brush. Then, remove the solution by flushing the area with warm water.
Once you’ve got mildew under control, open doors and windows to allow air to circulate through the room. You can also use a dehumidifier and fans for 30 minutes after a warm shower.
3. Keep it Consistent
It’s only when you let a bathroom go too long that you have to resort to harsh cleaning products and a lot of elbow grease. So, instead of this, plan to use mild soaps and homemade cleaners every two weeks and you’ll be good to go.
4. Give Those Pipes Some Love
Don’t be dumping down harsh chemicals like Drain-O down those pipes. Instead, opt for a preventative cleaning by using half a cup of baking soda down the drain and then another half a cup of vinegar. Don’t mix the two, just follow one with the other. This should clear out any soap scum, built-up grease, and even hair clogs.
5. Superhero v.s. Scum
Soap scum can build up in bathtubs, sinks and even tiles. It responds best to acidic cleaners so create a homemade solution by mixing white vinegar and water. Make sure to use gloves, as you would with any store-bought cleaner.
6. Break Up The Cloud
Glass shower doors, windows, sinks that are made out of glass and mirrors all have a tendency to get cloudy. For these surfaces, you can use a non-abrasive cleaner like an all-purpose cleaner or baking soda. To really get natural, use some pine oil but skip the abrasive scrubbing pads because they’re sure to leave micro-scratches. For shower doors, a lime remover is best.
7. Cleaning the Throne
What did we do before toilets? Well, it wasn’t pretty. Luckily, you can use these tips to keep yours looking pretty even if the thought of toilet cleaning is less than savory to you.
First off, you want something that will scrub that porcelain surface of microscopic germs. Pour some granulated (or liquid) toilet bowl cleaner in and let it sit, taking action while you tackle another area of the bathroom. Return in 5-10 minutes and get to work scrubbing using a good bowl brush.
Use a pumice stone for stuck on rings that won’t come off and finish up the whole process with a disinfecting spray. Wipe once with a wet cloth all over and then with a dry cloth before using again.
