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Clean your bathroom without dealing with unpleasant fumes or harmful chemicals.
iStockphoto.com/Jim JuricaEssential Points
- For fiberglass tubs or ceramic tiles, mix a paste of baking soda and dish soap, apply with a sponge or nylon scrubber, then rinse off.
- To eliminate soap scum, spray vinegar on the affected areas, let it dry, spray again, and then wipe it clean.
- For stubborn porcelain stains, apply lemon juice and alum powder. Let it sit (overnight for tough stains), scrub, and rinse it off. Use warm vinegar and a sponge to remove nonskid appliques.
The bathroom is a space where your main cleaning goal might be controlling germs, and rightfully so. With care and attention, however, you can keep your bathroom clean and shiny without resorting to harsh disinfectants.
Disinfection is the process of eliminating microorganisms from a surface. However, many disinfecting products are harmful. While it's important to ensure your bathroom is free of harmful microbes—some of which can cause illness—it's important not to overreact. Germs and microbes are everywhere, and they will persist whether or not you clean them. No matter how much you scrub, they always return. It’s simply a natural part of life.
Enough discussion, it's time to take action! To combat these everyday challenges, focus on keeping your spaces and yourself reasonably clean. For routine bathroom cleaning, use baking soda generously. Sprinkle it onto a damp sponge and wipe down dirty surfaces.
9. Shower and Sink Drains
Just like with your kitchen sink, it's important to perform preventative maintenance for your bathroom sink and shower. Once a week, remove the drain cover in your tub and use a cotton swab to clear away any hair buildup. Then, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar down the drain. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then flush with hot water. To keep your tub drain clear, consider purchasing a plastic or rubber hair strainer; just place it over the drain and let it handle the mess.
If your sink or shower has accumulated hard water or mineral stains, you can remove them by soaking paper towels in undiluted vinegar and placing them over the affected areas. Let them sit for an hour, then wipe the areas clean with a damp sponge.
Consider this: A family of four can save approximately 20,000 gallons of water each year by using a low-flow showerhead instead of a full-flow model.
8. Tubs and Shower Walls
For fiberglass tubs or showers, clean them by applying a paste made from baking soda and dishwashing liquid using a sponge. This same paste works wonders on hard-water and rust stains on ceramic tiles. Use a nylon scrubber to clean the surface, then rinse off the paste.
Spraying vinegar on the corners of your tub or the walls and doors of your shower can help break down stubborn soap scum. Allow the vinegar to dry, then spray the area again and simply wipe it down for a clean finish.
Porcelain tubs and sinks can be some of the toughest to clean when it comes to stain removal. Have you ever spilled an entire bottle of shampoo into your white tub and left it to sit there all day? While that might seem like a quick fix, it’s not exactly the best approach. Instead, pour lemon juice directly onto the stains, then sprinkle alum powder (available in the spice section of most grocery stores) and rub it into the stain. If the stain doesn't vanish immediately, let the mixture sit overnight. The next day, add more lemon juice, scrub again, and rinse clean.
Nonskid strips or appliques on your shower or tub floor can quickly become stained and are often difficult to remove. To clean them, dampen the appliques and sprinkle baking soda directly onto them. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes, then scrub and rinse. If you want to remove the appliques entirely, saturate each one with vinegar to loosen the adhesive. (For better results, warm the vinegar in the microwave or on the stove for about three minutes.) Let the vinegar sit for a few minutes, then peel off the decals. Any leftover adhesive can be wiped away with a damp sponge.
A bathtub ring needs a strong solvent. Try soaking paper towels or reusable cleaning cloths in undiluted vinegar and placing them over the ring. Let the towels or cloths dry. Then, spray the area again with vinegar, scrub with a sponge, and watch the ring vanish.
Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to your bathwater to avoid the dreaded 'ring around the tub' effect and save yourself cleaning time. Not only does it help prevent the ring, but baking soda also has a surprising skin-softening effect!
7. Grout
To remove mildew stains from the grout around your tub or shower, apply a baking soda paste and scrub the affected area with an old toothbrush until the stain disappears. Be sure to rinse thoroughly when you're done.
It's also wise to keep a bottle of Baking Soda Blast multipurpose cleaner on hand in your bathroom, ready for any cleaning emergency.
Baking Soda Blast:
- 16 ounces of baking soda
- 4 tablespoons of liquid dish soap
- 1 cup of warm water
6. Shower Curtains
To clean your shower curtain, sprinkle some baking soda onto a damp sponge and scrub away. Rinse thoroughly. For mildew stains, rub a paste made from baking soda and water directly into the stain. For a deeper clean, remove the curtain and wash it on a delicate cycle with cold water, using only vinegar and baking soda as detergent. Add a bath towel to help remove the grime. To stop mildew from returning, add an extra cup of vinegar during the final rinse.
You can also take preventive measures by keeping a spray bottle filled with a vinegar and water mix in your shower. After each use, spray down your shower curtain or doors to keep scum and mineral deposits from building up. Another classic trick to prevent mildew is to soak the curtains in salt water. Simply fill your bathtub with warm water, add 1/2 cup of salt as it fills, then let the curtains soak before hanging them to dry.
Mix a few tablespoons of fresh lemon juice with warm olive oil, then gently massage it into your scalp. Let it sit for 15 minutes before shampooing it out.
5. Toilets
Each week, pour about half a cup of vinegar into your toilet and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, sprinkle baking soda on your toilet brush and scrub any remaining stains. Afterward, flush the toilet. Alternatively, you can mix vinegar and baking soda, swish the bowl around, and leave it for 20 minutes before scrubbing. For persistent hard-water or rust stains, use steel wool to scrub, but remember to never flush steel wool down the toilet. Rinse it off and set it aside.
4. Floors
To clean your bathroom's tile or no-wax floors, mix half a cup of baking soda in a bucket of warm water. Mop the floor with this solution, then rinse. For a refreshing scent, add some lemon juice to the water.
3. Trash Cans
After emptying your bathroom trash can, sprinkle some baking soda inside. This simple step helps neutralize any lingering odors.
2. Air Fresheners
You can keep your bathroom smelling fresh without relying on overpowering aerosol air fresheners. For a natural and long-lasting solution, place a dish of baking soda on your toilet tank or a nearby shelf. You can also add cinnamon for a different scent. Refresh the mixture every three months.
To keep pests away, try using cedar chips (which can be found at most general stores), lavender oil, or peppermint oil.
1. Countertops & Mirrors
For marble countertops, create a paste from baking soda and white vinegar, then wipe clean and buff the surface to restore its shine.
If you notice stains in scratches on your glass or mirrors, try mixing dry mustard with vinegar to form a paste. Apply the paste to the stain, rub it gently until it disappears, then rinse thoroughly.
