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Bathrooms can collect a lot of germs, especially with heavy use. Whether you’re washing your hands, using the toilet, taking a shower or getting ready to go to work, you want to make sure your bathroom is clean for the most comfortable, stress-free experience possible. From scrubbing your pristine white cabinets to deep cleaning your shower, here are the 10 steps that you need to clean your bathroom efficiently.
1. Remove All Dirty Laundry and Towels
Start by collecting all of your dirty laundry and towels. Organize them into the right hampers or get the wash started. Don’t forget to spot treat items that have potential stains on them, and consider breaking out your favorite laundry sanitizer or additives to make your towels smell fresh and clean. Think about getting a hamper for your bathroom so that it’s easy to keep items up off of the floor.
2. Move Items to Reorganize
This doesn’t need to be done regularly, but for a big bathroom cleaning, you should empty your cupboards, vanities and shelves. Get rid of items that are expired and combine anything that has been split between two open containers.
Put everything back in a way that is organized and accessible. If items were left out on the counter, sink or floor, now is the time to put them where they belong.
In some cases, you may need to invest in some new storage solutions for your bathroom. Explore wholesale cabinets, shelving, baskets and other options that will help you keep your essentials organized until you need them.
3. Spray Your Toilet, Shower and Tub
Bathroom cleaners are typically made with strong agents that help break down mildew and grime, especially in hard-to-reach areas like around your tub drain or in the cracks around your shower. Spray your toilet, shower and tub down before you actually plan to get scrubbing.
Many cleaners work better if they have time to sit on the surface. Just be sure to keep all pets and children out while your bathroom is soaking.
4. Dust and Wash Bathroom Surfaces
Once everything is put away, it’s time to wash all of the surfaces in your bathroom. Move soap dishes, toothbrush holders and all other accessories so that you can dust and scrub.
Consider antibacterial cleaners for your counters, sinks, toilets and other surfaces where germs are common. If you have a bathroom with a lot of white, such as white cupboards, sinks and floors, look for cleaners that will get rid of hard-to-remove stains from water, rust and grime.
5. Deep Clean Your Bathroom Fixtures
Now that your cleaner has had time to set, it’s time to get scrubbing. Look into different sponges and wands that will allow you to get the job done with less effort. Get into every crack and crevice to ensure that the bathroom is as clean as possible.
Then, you can follow up weekly with lighter cleanings. Be sure to rinse when you’re done and follow with a towel or reusable paper towels to get rid of streaks and smudges.
6. Vacuum and Mop the Floor
Pick up your throw rugs and vacuum the floor. Use a vacuum extension or a hand vac to get behind the toilet, under the counter and in other hard-to-reach spaces.
You should follow up on the vacuuming by mopping your floor. Steam mops are also a great option, especially for period deep cleanings. Make sure the cleaning solution you use is safe for your floors. Vinyl plank flooring is a popular option for bathrooms because it’s durable and low maintenance.
7. Follow up With a Sanitizer
Even with a thorough cleaning, some germs could be left behind. Or, they could be introduced the second someone steps into your clean space to wash up. Think about using a spray-on sanitizer that will kill additional germs and keep killing them for hours after. Surfaces to pay extra attention to are the toilet seat, sink drain, faucet handles and doorknobs.
8. Restock Your Essentials
Take inventory of your bathroom and make a shopping list for anything you may need. You may even want to add items to the list that are running out so that you’re not stuck in the shower with no shampoo.
Check toilet paper, toilet bowl cleaner, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and hand soap. Then look through your grooming items, hair products, over-the-counter medications and anything else you keep in your bathroom. Don’t be afraid to stock up if you have the storage space.
9. Get Rid of Trash
Now that you’ve wrapped up your cleaning, organizing and restocking, be sure to clean everything up. Put away all of the cleaning supplies, throw out used paper towels and take care of all other items for a completely clean slate. Put a fresh trash bag in, hang fresh towels, shake out your throw rugs and put the finishing touches on your bathroom space. You may even consider spraying some air freshener or lighting a candle.
10. Set a Cleaning Schedule
Set up a cleaning schedule for yourself so that you know when it’s time to freshen up the bathroom again. How often you should clean your bathroom will vary. For example, if you have a big family or young children who are prone to making messes, you may need to clean your bathroom more often. As a general rule of thumb, plan to clean your bathroom at least once a week.
A Clean Bathroom Benefits Everyone
A clean bathroom not only looks good and feels good, but it’s also good for your health and reduces stress. Dirty bathrooms can promote the spread of illnesses, bacteria growth and more. Regular cleanings can give you peace of mind that your space is clean and ready for use.
