Keeping my bathroom clean and shiny is important to me. A sparkling bathroom feels fresh and welcoming. Over the years, I’ve learned some helpful cleaning tips and tricks for getting my bathroom fixtures, floors and surfaces looking their best. In this article, I’ll share everything I know to help you make your bathroom shine.
Deep Cleaning Bathroom Fixtures and Surfaces
Regular cleaning is important, but occasionally it’s necessary to do a deep clean of bathroom fixtures and surfaces to remove built-up soap scum, hard water deposits and grime. Here are some of my tried and true methods:
Cleaning the Shower and Tub
Hard water stains and soap scum can make shower walls and tub surfaces look dull and dirty. Vinegar is a natural cleaner that works wonders for removing buildup. I fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar and liberally spray down the walls, door and surfaces. After letting it sit for 5-10 minutes, I scrub with a sponge or brush. Rinse thoroughly and wipe away the grime. It’s amazing how shiny everything looks after this treatment!
For tougher soap scum, I make a baking soda paste by sprinkling baking soda directly onto wet surfaces and scrubbing with a damp sponge. The abrasiveness of the baking soda combined with the cleaning power of vinegar dissolves soap scum.
To prevent future buildup, I regularly spray shower walls with vinegar after use and squeegee excess moisture. This prevents soapy residue from accumulating.
De-Gunking the Sink
Pastes made of baking soda and lemon juice or baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are fantastic for cleaning bathroom sinks. I dab the paste onto the sink with a damp sponge, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub to lift away grime. These pastes dissolve soap scum, disinfect surfaces and make chrome fixtures gleam.
For a smelly drain, I pour boiling water down the drain followed by 1/2 cup baking soda. After letting it fizz for a few minutes, I rinse with more hot water. This freshens up drain odors.
Removing Hard Water Stains from Fixtures
Hard water leaves mineral deposits on faucets and fixtures that look unsightly. To remove, I fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and secure it to the faucet with a rubber band. After an hour or so, I remove the bag and scrub away stains with a toothbrush. The vinegar dissolves the deposits, so they wipe away easily.
For toilets, pouring vinegar into the bowl and letting it sit for an hour before scrubbing with a toilet brush also effectively removes hard water stains.
Polishing Mirrors and Chrome
White vinegar or rubbing alcohol work extremely well for cleaning bathroom mirrors and giving chrome fixtures a streak-free shine. I saturate a microfiber cloth and wipe down the entire surface.
For water spots on faucets or shower heads, I wrap a towel soaked in white vinegar around the fixture for an hour before scrubbing clean. This method removes even stubborn water stains.
Disinfecting Surfaces
To kill germs on bathroom surfaces, hydrogen peroxide is my go-to cleaner. I mix a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle and spray sinks, countertops, toilets, and other surfaces. After letting it sit for several minutes, I wipe with a clean cloth. The hydrogen peroxide disinfects as it cleans.
I occasionally give the entire bathroom a deeper clean by spraying diluted bleach solution (1/4 cup bleach per gallon of water) and letting it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. This sanitizes the whole space.
Keeping Floors Spotless
Bathroom floors take a beating and require regular scrubbing to keep them looking fresh and clean. Here are my best tips for tackling tile, vinyl and grout:
Cleaning Tile Floors
For ceramic, porcelain or other tiled floors, a vinegar and water solution (1 cup vinegar per 1 gallon water) works great for removing grime and soap buildup. I use a mop to apply the solution and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. The vinegar cuts through residue, leaving floors shiny.
For grout, I dip an old toothbrush in baking soda or comet cleanser and scrub to lift dirt from grout lines. Rinsing thoroughly keeps grout looking new.
Disinfecting Vinyl Floors
To kill germs on vinyl floors while removing grime, I regularly mop with a diluted bleach solution (1/4 cup bleach per gallon water). This disinfects and deodorizes in one step.
Letting the bleach solution sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing allows maximum disinfecting. I make sure to rinse thoroughly because bleach can damage vinyl if left too long.
Removing Tough Stains
For mud, mold or mildew stains on tile or vinyl floors, hydrogen peroxide works incredibly. After donning rubber gloves, I apply undiluted hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain and let it bubble for 10 minutes before wiping away. This method lifts even set-in stains.
For hard water deposits on tile, spraying white vinegar directly on the stain, letting sit 5 minutes, and scrubbing with a stiff brush also does the trick. The vinegar dissolves mineral deposits so they wipe away.
Keeping Bathroom Surfaces Clutter-Free
In addition to cleaning fixtures and floors, maintaining clear, organized surfaces also helps my bathroom look its best. Here are my tips for decluttering:
Sort Through Items Regularly
It’s easy for countertop toiletries, makeup and other items to accumulate. Every couple months, I sort through and toss any expired products. For items I want to keep, I store them in bins and baskets to keep clutter contained.
Clean Out Cabinets
Under the sink and bathroom cabinets easily become crammed with extra towels, cleaning supplies and more. During my regular cleaning, I take everything out and wipe down shelves before reorganizing. Getting rid of unused items clears out space.
Use Storage Solutions
Installing shelves, bins, racks and other storage solutions keeps bathroom necessities neat and organized. I have over-the-toilet shelves for extra towels. Wall-mounted bins for toiletries prevent clutter on the counter. A mounted bath accessory rack corrals all my shower items.
Declutter Surfaces
I keep counters clutter-free by having a home for everything. Makeup and skin care products are stored in a caddy. Cleaning supplies are kept under the sink. Only my toothbrush, soap and lotion stay on the counter. Clean surfaces feel more inviting.
Conclusion
The right techniques and cleaning products make it easy to get your bathroom clean and keep it that way. Regularly tackling fixtures, floors and surfaces using vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, bleach and other natural cleaners allows you to remove grime, prevent buildup, disinfect and make your bathroom shine. Maintaining clutter-free surfaces also enhances the cleanliness and visual appeal of the space. With these comprehensive cleaning tips, you can easily keep your bathroom fresh and sparkling.
