Spring Cleaning: Bathroom

I hope your tub doesn't look like this.

Well, the holidays are over. You have spent the last two months eating, drinking, and being merry; now you look forward to the snow melting, the trees blooming, and the birds chirping. It’s also time for you to give your apartment a thorough scrubbing to rid it of all the grime that’s accrued through the long winter months. The next several blogs that I write are going to be a miniseries on how to tackle your spring cleaning room by room all while using little to no chemical cleaners. Chemical free cleaning reduces the amount of chemicals that enter the environment and is safer for your pet or child.

Let’s face it, no one likes a dirty bathroom, and not many relish the idea of cleaning it. It can be a long, arduous process full of chemicals and elbow grease. However, I’ve researched and tested some budget friendly, chemical-free methods which will make cleaning your bathroom much more tolerable and cheaper. For many of the tips below, you will find that you will only need towels, water, baking soda, and vinegar. The reason why these products work is because baking soda acts as a mild abrasive to scrub away stains; and vinegar is acidic, which kills bacteria. When cleaning more delicate bathroom surfaces, test a small part to make sure that the baking soda won’t scratch it.

The Toilet Cleaning the toilet is usually one of the most dreaded bathroom cleaning chores. Sprinkle the baking soda in the toilet and then spray or sprinkle with vinegar. Let the mixture stand for a while as to penetrate stains, then scrub with a toilet brush. Once the bowl is clean, wipe the exterior of the toilet with the vinegar.

I do have to admit that I really like the disposable toilet wands for cleaning the bowl out, though.

The Sink and Countertops Your bathroom sink and countertops get a lot of use (think toothpaste, hairsprays, gels, creams, and soapy splashes) and their appearance and cleanliness can either make or break your bathroom’s overall look.

First off, take note of what type of countertop you have. If you have a cultured marble countertop and sink, avoid using any harsh, abrasive cleaners or steel wool as this could result in scratching. Make a sink cleaner out of 2 cups baking soda, ½ cup dish soap, 1 cup water, and ½ cup vinegar. This will make a lot so feel free to half the recipe. Spray this on, let sit if there’s a lot of grime, and then wipe off. Don’t forget to polish your fixtures! You can use toothpaste or baking soda paste for this then wipe it clean with a towel.

Don’t forget to clean under the sink or in any cabinets you may have! Now is a great time to go through and throw away any old or expired products that you may have lurking around.

Mirrors To have a streak-free mirror that the Evil Queen in Snow White would envy, just spritz your mirror down with water and wipe off with a dry, lint free towel. I have found that microfiber towels work great for this. If you find that your mirror needs a little more TLC for it to shine, mix equal parts water and vinegar, spray on, and then wipe away.

Chemical free cleaning means kids can help!

The Shower Ah, the shower. There is nothing like taking a nice, hot shower. There is also nothing like the dread that comes with cleaning it. It’s big, there are tons of bottles that you have to move before you can even start, and it’s always a lot dirtier than you would think. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

This is my least favorite part: unclogging the drain. I have never liked using chemical drain cleaners as I have found them ineffective. What does get the job done you say? A wire coat hanger and/or needle nose pliers. Start by straightening the coat hanger out (don’t forget to give yourself a handle on one end and give it a hook or another shape at the end that will grab onto the glop), then snake it down and dig the clog out. Make sure that you have a trash can nearby to dispose what you extract. Pliers work well when the clog is closer to the drain opening.

After you have unclogged the drain, take everything out of the shower and recycle any empty bottles. Use the baking soda paste to remove soap scum, hard water, and rust stains. Just be careful because the paste will be abrasive. Use vinegar to loosen and remove the mildew that accumulates in the corners. Spray it on, let it dry, spray again, and then wipe down. Don’t forget about your shower curtain! Wipe it down with the rest of the shower; you may have to take it off the hangers so you can scrub it. If all else fails, you may just want to buy a new one. They’re not that expensive.

If you notice that your shower head has a lot of hard water build up grab a gallon size plastic bag and a large twisty tie. Fill the bag with 1/3 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar. Submerge the shower head into the solution, tie it shut, and then let it sit for a couple of hours or overnight.

The Floor While you’re cleaning the rest of the bathroom, grab all your bath mats and dirty towels and stick them in the wash. By the time you’re done cleaning all the hard surfaces, they will be clean. Wait until you’re done cleaning everything else in the bathroom before you start on the floors. This way you won’t have to worry about getting them dirty while you clean other things.

Start by sweeping all of the large pieces of gunk that have accumulated on the floor, paying attention to nooks and crannies behind the toilet and doors. Then mop it down. I find that disposable mopping cloths work well. Since there are so many different types of flooring, I have found a good reference for do’s and don’ts with different flooring materials. You can check it out here. Also, don’t forget to clean the baseboards.

Next time I’m going to Spring Clean the bedroom. Stay tuned for more cleaning tips! And let me know if you have any suggestions or tips!