Did you know that toothbrush holders and faucet handles can have more germs than the toilet? However, many harmful microorganisms still originate from toilet seats and bowls. They can then spread throughout the entire bathroom and reproduce unless you get rid of them. The good news is that you can keep these germs at bay if you regularly clean the bathroom. We rounded up some of the top bathroom cleaning tips and tricks that you can employ today, so be sure to read on.
1. Always Don Personal Protection
One of the most important house cleaning tips is to wear a face mask, face shield, and goggles. These will help protect your eyes, nose, and mouth from contaminants and chemicals. Rubber gloves will also help prevent skin irritation or injuries from using cleaners.
It’s also best to wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting all dirty or stained. Don’t forget to don rubber or anti-slip footwear to prevent slip, trip, and fall accidents.
2. Use Vinegar To Unclog Showerheads and Tap Aerators
Dirt, debris, molds, and limescale can clog showerheads and faucet aerators. When this happens, the water may come out of the fixtures in a single stream instead of sprays.
Vinegar, which contains 5% acetic acid and water, can break down most of those clogs. Moreover, scientists say that it can work as a disinfectant, too.
To clear out those blockages, dilute some white distilled vinegar with a bit of water. You can detach your showerheads and aerators and soak them in this mixture for at least an hour. Reduce this to half an hour if you have a nickel-coated showerhead to avoid damaging the finish.
If you’re not too keen on unscrewing the fixtures, you can submerge them as-is in the solution. Fill a sturdy plastic bag about halfway through with the vinegar and water mixture. Insert the showerhead or the faucet spout in the bag and use elastic bands to keep it in place.
This trick works on toothbrush and soap holders, too.
3. Make the Glass Gleam With Vinegar
White distilled vinegar also works on unsightly water deposits on shower doors. You can also use it to clear soap and toothpaste splatters on your bathroom mirror.
To get the best results, mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a squeegee to ensure no water droplets will dry on the glass surface.
4. Take Advantage of Baking Soda’s Grittiness
Did you know that over 100 tons of sodium bicarbonate went toward cleaning the Statue of Liberty in 1986? Experts believe this gave rise to the chemical’s popularity as an effective cleaner.
One type of sodium bicarbonate you likely have at home is baking soda. It’s as safe for food as it is for most other materials, including aluminum, glass, rubber, and steel. As a mild abrasive, baking soda can help dislodge dirt, debris, grease, and grime build-up.
You can use baking soda to clean bathroom tiles, grout, sinks, toilets, and even fixtures. It’s also a mild, non-toxic deodorizer, so it can help get rid of foul bathroom odors and bad smells in the fridge, too.
For more effective cleaning, mix the baking soda with some detergent soap. Use this with a damp cloth for surface cleaning, and switch to a toilet brush when scrubbing the toilet bowl.
5. Get Rid of Microbiological Growths on Shower Curtains
Mold and mildew can grow on anything in your bathroom that’s always damp. These are easier to remove on tiles and walls, but not so much on shower curtains. The microorganisms can grow deep within the threads, making it difficult to get rid of them.
Baking soda paste can help dislodge some of the smaller growths. You can make this solution by mixing two parts of baking soda with one part of water. Apply a layer of the paste on the stained areas and let it sit for at least half an hour.
You can then use a sponge to brush the paste deeper into the fabric. You can also load it in your clothes washer with a few other towels and leave it there for a full cycle. The pre-soak can help make it easier for the detergent to get rid of stubborn molds and mildew.
6. Brush Fixture Crevices
The average US household has leaks that waste more than 10,000 gallons of water each year. Many of these plumbing woes are due to failed faucet components, especially seals. Filth build-up around the base of taps, in turn, can make you miss these major water-wasters.
Besides, you don’t want your fixtures to form gunk, as these can harbor harmful bacteria. So, as you go about your routine bathroom cleaning tasks, be sure to include fixture crevices, too. An old soft-bristled brush can be enough to remove the dirt clinging to the base of your taps.
Once clean, check the base of your taps to see if there’s any water leaking out. If so, you may have to replace the seal, or if the tap is old, have the entire faucet replaced.
7. Pay Attention To Your Bathroom Exhaust
Adequate ventilation helps lower pollutant and contaminant concentrations in indoor air. It does so by sending indoor air outside and then bringing in fresher outdoor air.
As such, many places in the US require mechanical ventilation systems in homes. This includes Savannah, Georgia, which requires residential buildings to comply with ventilation codes. Most homes in Savannah, GA, use exhaust fans to ventilate bathrooms.
Bathroom exhaust fans are often out of sight, though, usually in the ceiling or high up a wall. This placement makes it easy to forget about them, in which case, they will continue forming filth.
Over time, dirt and debris will make the exhaust fan work inefficiently. This can lead to increased moisture in the bathroom, giving rise to faster mold and mildew growth.
Cleaning your bathroom exhaust at least once or twice a month can help prevent such problems. You can remove the vent cover to give it a deeper clean with some soapy water. You can also wipe the fan blades to get rid of filth accumulation.
Before you do all that, make sure you turn off the power supply to your bathroom. This way, you can reduce your risks of electrical hazards.
If you’re wary of fiddling with the exhaust, you can always hire a professional maid service to do it for you. A professional bathroom cleaning job always includes exhaust fan clean-up and even disinfection. The cleaning experts would also take care of all other tasks discussed in this guide.
Employ These Bathroom Cleaning Tips and Tricks Today
There you have it, your complete guide on bathroom cleaning tips and tricks you can do starting today. Just remember to wear personal protection before you start wiping and brushing away.
If you don’t have time to do all these, our team here at Hubbard’s Maid Service is ready to help. Get in touch with us now, and we’ll be happy to clean and disinfect not only your bathroom but your entire home.
