Remember what our parents told us: "Sometimes we all have to do things we don’t want to" … like cleaning the bathroom. Chances are you already wipe sink and bathtub faucets regularly to prevent watermarks and to kill nasty germs. The toilet, bathtub, shower, mirrors and other surfaces don’t need attention as often, but when they do, logically, the task will take longer. Plan on at least a weekly cleaning for these.

 

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Who’s that in the mirror? We humans do hang around and over our sinks and the result is that hair, make-up and toothpaste accumulate. To banish them, first use your all-purpose cleaner, applying with a soft brush or old toothbrush in hard-to-get-to crevices on faucets and handles. Rinse thoroughly, then apply a disinfectant such as a bleach solution to get rid of germs: let the disinfectant set for a while then make sure to rinse well and don’t get it on clothes or other fabrics, which is really easy to do if it splashes at all.

No matter how diligent you’ve been, soap scum can move into your shower for a long-term residency, especially if your water is "hard" with mineral content; soft water doesn’t cause as much problem. Try liquid instead of bar soap when you shower and wipe the sides or squeegee when you’re done so scum doesn’t build up. If it does in spite of your best efforts, rely upon natural cleaners or commercial products.

 

Vinegar is a good choice for minor hard water deposits. You may need something stronger, such as a product containing phosphoric or citric acid, for heavier deposits.

Things will look and smell good on the outside of your toilet if you wipe the exterior with an all-purpose cleaner, followed by rinsing, then apply a disinfectant, especially around the base. Germs flourish under interior rims, so to clean more extensively, use powder or liquid toilet cleaner and brush. You might observe a stubborn ring at the water line, so use a wet pumice stone and some elbow grease. More helpful cleaning tips are found in bathroom-related articles on HousekeepingChannel.com.