Mistakes You're Making When Cleaning Your Bathroom

Cleaning the bathroom might be far away from your list of favorite things to do. However, it is essential since this is one of the parts of the house that involves a lot of dirt and germs. A clean bathroom means less risk of illness and better health for the household. Because cleaning the bathroom is so crucial, it requires the right methods, which is why there are so many questions and varying opinions on how to do it right.

You may ask yourself, what cleaning methods should I use? What products do I need? And, how often should I be cleaning? Home Stratosphere recommends cleaning the shower or bath biweekly, cleaning the toilet weekly, switching out towels every two days, and disinfecting the sink daily. While everyone creates their own cleaning routine, there are some common mistakes that can easily be avoided the next time you clean your bathroom.

When cleaning the bathroom, you might only think of scrubbing the toilet, sink, and floors. However, you should make sure you're not ignoring other important parts. One example of this is the sides and back of the toilet. According to Molly Maid, the entire toilet needs to be wiped down and disinfected, not just the toilet bowl. Another is your toilet brush. Instead of letting it sit in its dirty holder, make it a habit to clean and replace it regularly. Bathtub and sink drains should also be cleaned regularly to avoid clogs.

The shower curtain or liner is another item that often gets forgotten in the cleaning routine. Today provides a helpful guide to cleaning it: run the curtain through the washing machine with some white towels to provide more scrubbing and then hang it to dry. Some other things that need your regular attention are toothbrush holders, bath mats, drawers, door handles, vents, and trash cans.

Replace room temperature water with hot water and see the difference it makes when cleaning your bathroom! As little as 10 degrees hotter can make the effect of your cleaning solutions twice as effective, says Taste of Home. This is because hot water is better at cutting through substances, which means it can attack dirt and grime better. In addition to washing your shower, tub, sink, floors, and surfaces, you can also use hot water to clear a clogged drain.

Having said that, according to Simply Maid, if you have cleaning products that use the phrase cold water in their name, they are made to work effectively with room temperature water, and hot water won't be needed to make them more effective. For example, you don't need to use hot water if you're cleaning your bathroom with bleach because cold water is better at activating the cleaning compounds.

Cleaning is important, but it's more important to clean the right way so your efforts aren't in vain! There are many mistakes made while cleaning the bathroom that reduce the effectiveness. One common mistake is going right to scrubbing after applying a disinfectant or other cleaning solutions. Whether you're cleaning the bathtub or the surfaces, the right way to do it is to let the solution sit for some minutes so that it has the time to take care of the bacteria. Then, you can scrub with warm or hot water, rinse it thoroughly, and wipe it down for an added shine.

In shower areas, Real Homes advises spraying the tiles with a water and vinegar solution and keeping the room well ventilated, especially after use. Doing these two things regularly will help prevent mold and keep your shower fresh. When cleaning, use warm or hot water to clean the walls, surfaces, and floors, and rinse with cold water. Don't forget the shower head, curtain, and knobs!

Certain acidic products are useful for getting rid of tough stains caused by water or rust. These cleaners can also be employed to rectify discoloration on some metal surfaces. Natural acids like vinegar and lemon juice are also popular since they are easier to access and use. They are effective cleaners and have the added bonus of a nice, fresh smell. However, acids don't work in every situation.

Lemon juice, for example, wears down the rubber used in toilets and other parts of your bathroom. Vinegar is also known to remove the shine on porous surfaces like stone, wood, marble, and granite, explains Purdy & Figg. If you want to clean electronic devices that you keep in your bathroom, like hair dryers and straighteners, don't use any solution containing vinegar because it can damage the appliance. If you use bleach to clean your bathroom, then leave out the vinegar so you don't risk the danger of mixing the different chemicals.

Paper towels are commonly used to clean around the house since they're readily available. They easily mop up food spills and messes from kids or pets. They can be used to wipe dirty hands or dry them after washing. Paper towels can also be used to wipe down dishes. Often, the most appealing part is that they are easily disposable. However, they aren't always particularly effective at cleaning and have a negative impact on the environment, notes the NRDC. They can often leave residue, break into pieces easily, and can't be reused. Instead of buying another roll, get some microfiber cloths instead!

Microfiber cloths are a better option. They can be used either dry or damp to dust and wipe various surfaces. Since they are reusable, they last longer and ultimately cost less. Microfiber cloths also come in various designs, shapes, and sizes, which means that they can be used in different ways around the house. Use different cloths for your shower head, toilet, surfaces, and any other part of the bathroom, and run them through the washing machine when you're done, suggests Taste of Home.

Often, we see dust after we've already started cleaning and the whole place is wet! A better way to clean effectively is by dusting before you start scrubbing. Move all items from the counters so you can easily dust the surfaces, lights, and corners. Readers Digest also recommends dusting vents and exhaust fans so they don't drop dirt when you're done cleaning. You can do this by wiping them down with one microfiber cloth to take off the dust and then another with a simple water and vinegar solution.

After dusting, sweep the floors to gather all the dirt from both the surfaces and the ground and throw it away. Make sure you reach into all corners for cobwebs and more dirt. If possible, you can also vacuum the bathroom. According to Family Handyman, a vacuum brush with soft bristles is ideal for this. Dusting should be a key part of any cleaning routine because it helps in keeping allergies and other respiratory problems at bay.