7 cleaning tips to keep your bathroom shining & healthy

How much Bacteria is in my Bathroom? According to the University of Arizona professor of microbiology Charles Gerba, who has conducted many studies of household bacteria, pretty a lot. With these super effective tips, you can clobber germs like never before. Whether you divvy up your antibacterial blitz into small sessions or complete it in one fell swoop, implementing these habits every couple of months will be like flushing your worries down the…well, you know.

1 – How to Clean the Shower

Not only is soap scum a problem, showerheads can harbor Mycobacterium avium, a pathogen linked to pulmonary disease. So an unclean showerhead can send millions of germs directly into your lungs

Take it from the top: Pour an ample amount of white vinegar into a plastic grocery bag (enough to fully submerge the showerhead nozzle) and tie it in place for an overnight soaking. Remove it in the morning and run the water to rinse. Give plastic shower curtains and liners a spin in the washing machine with your regular detergent and a few old towels, which act as scrubbers to help get rid of soap scum and mildew. Rehang to dry. For shower doors, make a paste by adding a few drops of distilled white vinegar to a cup of baking soda; apply it directly to the door (it’s nice and thick, so it will stick). Let sit for an hour, then rub with a microfiber cloth. Rinse and buff dry with a fresh, dry microfiber cloth. The tub is less of an issue—a weekly scrubbing is usually enough. But for extra gleam, fill it with hot water, then drain. Apply a bathroom cleaner and let sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing.

It is a good idea to Wipe condensation from all surfaces after showering and leave the window open for one hour a day to lower the room’s humidity level. In our home, we have a cheap Ikea window wiper squeegee and give the shower screen and surfaces a quick wipe after each use.

2 – How to Refresh Dingy Grout

As grout is a porous surface, it is highly susceptible to bacteria growth. To clean, Dip a grout brush in straight bleach and scrub any discolored areas; rinse well. Be sure to ventilate the room. Also, seal grout every six months to help prevent moisture and grime from infiltrating.

3 – Cleaning Tile, Walls, and Ceilings

Soaps, along with the dirt and the skin cells they slough off, leave behind a microscopic film. To clean, Spray tile, countertops, walls, and the ceiling with all-purpose cleaner and turn on the shower, cranking the hot water until steam builds (about five minutes). Turn off the water, shut the door on your way out, and let the steam and the cleaner mix for 20 minutes. Then wipe down all surfaces with a clean cloth. To reach high spots, use a clean, dry microfiber mop. Wipe the tile floor, too, but only after you’ve finished the rest of the dirty work.

4 – How to Get the Toilet Sparkly Clean

Germs linger in the bowl even after flushing, bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella can fly into the air and land on the seat, the handle, and other surfaces at any time. Start by pouring a cup of baking soda into the bowl. Let sit for a few minutes; brush and flush. Still seeing spots? A damp pumice stone is abrasive enough to remove stains caused by mineral deposits and lime-scale but gentle enough not to damage surfaces. Then tackle the toilet brush itself, which you should be cleaning after every use. Here’s how: Secure the brush handle between the already-cleaned seat and the basin so that it hovers over the bowl; pour bleach over the bristles. Let stand for a few minutes, then douse with a pitcher of clean water. Next, fill the brush canister with warm, soapy water and let sit; dump the dirty water into the toilet. In cases of extreme grime buildup (or acute toilet-crevice trepidation), you might want to invest in a small, light-duty electric pressure washer. It lets you blast hard-to-reach areas, like the spots where the hinges meet the seat, from a safe distance. Start on the lowest setting—you’ll be amazed by what comes out.

It is a good idea to Always close the lid when you flush, and use the vent fan (it sucks up bacteria before they can settle). If you’re not already storing toothbrushes and contact lenses inside the medicine cabinet, you may want to start now.

5 – How to Clean the Bathroom Sink

The sink drain wins for the highest bathroom bacteria count—topping even the toilet seat. In his research, Gerba has detected as many bacteria down there as you would find on a cutting board used to slice raw meat. And faucet handles? You touch them after using the toilet and before washing your hands. Eww.

To clean, pour white vinegar or baking soda down the drain and flush with hot water. For the faucet, Gerba recommends disposable disinfecting wipes, which significantly reduce bacteria. (In contrast, cloths may just move germs from one spot to another; Gerba has even found bacteria from the toilet bowl living in the kitchen sink.) If you must use cloths, be fastidious about where each one is employed and stored. When the handles are done, floss the faucet (yes, you read that right). The stringy stuff is perfect for tackling that narrow, grimy space where the base of the faucet and the taps meet the sink.
It is a good idea to Always close the lid when you flush, and use the vent fan (it sucks up bacteria before they can settle). If you’re not already storing toothbrushes and contact lenses inside the medicine cabinet, you may want to start now.

6 – Wash Hand Towels the Right Way

As hand towels are shared by many, and they trap moisture—that’s a recipe for a high level of bacterial growth.

When washing your hand towels, use the hotter sanitizing setting if your washing machine has one (or bleach them). Replace with clean towels every three to four days. Spread out wet towels on a bar, where air can circulate, rather than hanging them from a hook, where folds form. Don’t forget to clean the towel bar; it too collects bacteria. And avoid hanging wet towels near the toilet.

7 – Degerm the Bathroom Vent / Exhaust Fan

While it helps reduce mold and mildew, the fan also inhales a smorgasbord of airborne particles, which can linger on the blades and the vent.

Before cleaning, first, flip the RCD safety circuit breaker. Then remove the cover and soak it in warm water and dish soap. Use the vacuum’s nozzle attachment to get the gunk off the fan blades; wipe with a damp cloth. Remove dust from the motor and other nooks and crannies with a stiff, clean paintbrush, and suck up the debris with a vacuum. When it’s completely dry, replace the cover.

You may also run the ventilation fan after the shower has finished also for 10 minutes to assist in dehumidifying the room.

If your bathroom beyond cleaning repair? Contact Perth Premier Home Improvements to get a quote on a new Perth bathroom renovation.