Make your bathroom space a sanctuary of cleanliness by adopting a more rigorous process for disinfecting and cleaning. Here are some spots you’re not cleaning enough in the bathroom that you need to do today.
1. The Showerhead
Mineral deposits in water can affect the showerhead and even shorten its life. Keep the jets in the nozzle clear and clean by misting the showerhead every week with a mixture of 50 percent white vinegar and 50 percent water. Allow it to sit and drip for a few minutes and then wipe it clean with a dry cloth.
2. The Base of the Toilet
During the next toilet scrub-down, consider which areas you focus on most. The bowl, seat, lid, and top of the tank are highly visible spots, but the underside of the bowl and the plumbing piping behind the toilet gets dusty and affected by germs too. To sanitize hard-to-reach places behind the toilet, try using a steam wand to disinfect and then wipe down using a dry cloth.
3. Light Bulbs and Light Fixtures
It’s easy to forget to dust your bathroom light fixtures, but so easy to do with the help of a microfiber cloth. With the light turned off (and the lightbulb cooled) use the cloth to clean the inside and outside of the fixture, as well as the surface of the bulb.
If the lightbulbs you use are a focal point (such as clear glass globes) remove the bulb from the fixture, clean the surface with glass cleaner, and allow it to dry completely before putting it back into the fixture.
4. Sink, Bathtub and Shower Drains
Sink, shower, and bathtub drain probably do get a good surface scrubbing when you’re doing your weekly wipe-down. But to prevent additional grime and hair build-up, make it a habit to remove the drain or drain cover, rinse it clean, and use a soft-bristled brush to clean the inside of the drain as well. With regular maintenance, you can avoid tougher chores, like having to snake a clogged drain.
5. Air Vents, Fans and Returns
Dusting and disinfecting the products in your bathroom that keep the air clean and circulating are essential to cleanliness. To clean an exhaust fan, you can always dust the surface but it’s usually more effective to remove the cover and do a deep clean with a hand-held vacuum. Can’t remove the cover? Spray a dusting wand with 50 percent white vinegar and 50 percent water, and a few drops of tea tree oil to naturally disinfect and freshen the air.
6. Bath Toys
Children’s bath toys are magnets for mold. First and foremost, get in the habit of allowing all toys to air dry completely before packing them away, and attempt to remove all water inside squirt toys to reduce the chance of mold growing inside the toy. Keep germs and mold at bay by regularly washing the toys in a bath of tea tree oil, white vinegar and water.
7. Up Inside the Faucet
Mineral deposits such as lime will build up inside your faucet spout, especially if you have hard water. Depending on the faucet you have, these deposits can clog the aerator and affect water pressure. Disassemble the sink’s nozzle and easily clean the aerator and other components using ordinary white vinegar. You can also take a small stiff-bristled bottle brush dipped in vinegar to keep the inside of the faucet clean and debris-free.
8. Curtains and Window Screens
You’re likely to crack the window in the bathroom any time of the year for — ahem — reasons. Remember to clean your bathroom window screen as often as you would clean other screens in your home to reduce any dust and dirt that may gather or blow in through the open window.
9. Drawers
The drawers in the bathroom vanity are a perpetual magnet for hair that fell off the hairbrush, spilled makeup, powders, and product samples. Every month, do a drawer deep clean. Empty it out, wipe it down with a damp cloth and then reorganize the contents. To make this chore even easier, line the drawer with a piece of colorful make-you-smile cloth that can be removed and laundered.
10. Exposed Plumbing
Pipes that are visible beneath a countertop or vanity need to be maintained from time to time. Spray and wipe the pipes down periodically with diluted white vinegar as part of your cleaning routine. Buff with metal polish as well, so they always look shiny and new.