Bathroom Maintenance: Do’s and Dont’s You Need to Check

Welcome to the world of bathroom cleaning, where the battle against grime and gunk begins!

But bathroom cleaning, routine wipe-down, and maintenance are must-dos for a clean and hygienic bathroom.

This good article is all about the do’s and don’ts in bathroom cleaning. You may as well call it a ‘cheat sheet’ of some sort that will turn you into a bathroom-cleaning superhero. You’ll be surprised that it does not always require much effort to keep your bathroom clean, but the small, daily habits go a long way in keeping your bathrooms fresh.

So, from tackling tough grime to defeating soap scum ‘monster’ to just wiping a little dirt off the countertop, etc., these guidelines will ensure that your bathroom remains fresh and tidy.

We’ll look at the do’s first, then move on to the don’ts.

The ‘do’s’ when cleaning your bathroom

1.. Ventilation: It is important to ensure your bathroom is well-aerated at all times! More so, keep the area well-ventilated when cleaning. Depending on the nature of the products you are using to clean your bathroom, you need to be careful not to soak in the fumes into your system. So, open that window or turn on the exhaust fan when cleaning to provide circulation of fresh air and let out the fumes.

2. Gather Supplies: Gather all the necessary supplies you’ll need when cleaning the bathroom. This is a good trick as it ensures you have all the items at hand. Talk about saving time and energy because you avoid running from room to cabinet to pick an item. Now, all you will do is concentrate on the task at hand.

3. Wear Protective Gear: Some of the gear you can use when cleaning your bathroom include gloves and a mask (again depends on the nature of your cleaning products). Yes, these are the two I can think about (and use from time to time). If you need more than three protective gear to clean your bathroom, I think you need to re-evaluate what you are using.

4. Organize Cleaning Supplies: Keep your cleaning supplies organized in a caddy or container to make the cleaning process more efficient. This allows you to be prompt in giving your bathroom a quick clean-up regularly because you have your cleaning essentials at hand and well organized- you pick, use, and store them back.

5. Read Labels: This is important for some reasons: Read and identify the ingredients. This will help you if you or any other home member has allergies. Also, while doing this, you will likely spot any harmful chemicals you need to steer clear of. When you are good at reading labels first before picking, you are likely to go with eco-friendly products (recommended). Some labels contain usage instructions that you can follow to prevent unnecessary harmful reactions.

6. Use Microfiber Cloths: I love microfiber cloths; their texture, dust, and grime-capturing capability without scratching surfaces, high absorption power, lint-free, etc. I cannot recommend them enough! Get yourself some good ones, and they will come in handy when cleaning.

7. Regular Maintenance: Establish a regular cleaning routine to prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime. A little maintenance is easier than tackling heavy buildup later. This kind of maintenance is good before and after doing a deep clean in your bathroom spaces if need be (which is necessary).

8. Clean Top to Bottom: Always work your way from the top (light fixtures, shelves) to the bottom (countertops, sink, toilet, floor). This way, you prevent transferring dirt from clean areas to other surfaces. Avoid cleaning twice!

9. Replace Shower Curtains: If you have fabric shower curtains in your bathroom, schedule to have them cleaned regularly. This is because of the soap scum that spatters on them while taking baths/ showers. Also, wet fabrics are good catchments for mold and mildew- the very two things you’d want to keep off your bathroom area.

10. Use Natural Cleaners: I know I have talked about chemical cleaners and how to gear up when using them, but it wouldn’t hurt to consider using some natural cleaners, especially for easy cleanups. I always vouch for baking soda and vinegar, maybe coupled up with a few drops of dishwashing soap to get the lather. Other natural cleaning products you can consider include castile soap, fresh lemon juice, and essential oils.

11. Empty and line trash cans regularly: Empty the trash regularly to prevent bad odors and the spread of germs. When you place a new lining, you can add a few cotton balls coated with a few drops of essential oil like lemon (I always go for this or wild orange/ tea tree). This keeps your trash cans smelling fresh.

12. Use Proper Brushes: Select the appropriate brushes for different tasks. Use a toilet brush for the toilet bowl, a grout brush for grout lines, and a soft-bristle brush for delicate surfaces like glass.

13. Rotate Towels: Regularly rotate and wash hand towels and bath towels to prevent the buildup of bacteria and odors. Also, do allow towels to air dry in between uses to avoid your bathrooms becoming stuffy and towels smelling moldy and encouraging bacteria growth.

14. Use a Squeegee: After each shower, use a squeegee on shower doors, shower screens, and walls to prevent water spots and soap scum buildup. First, do a quick rinse of the surfaces with clean water, then dry with a squeegee.

15. Clean Shower Accessories: Do remember to clean shower accessories like shampoo bottles, soap dishes, and toothbrush holders. These can accumulate grime over time. Also, do not forget to clean and sanitize hairbrushes and combs to prevent the accumulation of hair and oils.

16. Inspect Caulking: Regularly inspect and replace caulking around sinks, tubs, and showers if it becomes discolored, cracked, or moldy.

17. Check Expiry Dates: Check the expiration dates on products and replace any that have passed their prime for optimal cleaning results. Such products include body wash, soaps, skincare products, toothpaste, cleaning products, etc.

18. Clean Hair Catchers: Remove and clean hair catchers regularly to maintain proper drainage in your bathroom area. Use a brush to clean the hair catchers thoroughly, then rinse it nicely before placing it back. Ensure all openings are clear to facilitate proper water flow.

19. Replace essentials like toothbrushes regularly: It is often mentioned that you should replace your toothbrush after 3-4 months of use. How often do you replace toothbrushes in your household? There are healthy benefits of replacing toothbrushes after a short use, so to speak.

20. Store Cleaners Safely: Keep cleaning products out of reach of children and pets and store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

The ‘don’ts’ when cleaning your bathroom

Now that we have covered a few of the do’s in keeping your bathroom clean and taking care of other essentials, we will have a quick look at the don’ts. It may not cover all the don’ts concerning the bathroom area, but I’ll touch on the major ones that will help you easily keep your bathroom fresh, safe, and usable.

So, Do Not;

1.. Mix cleaning products: Mixing some cleaning products can lead to harmful chemical reactions or produce toxic fumes. Unless you are sure of the safe outcome of mixing products, DO NOT ATTEMPT. This is also why it is advisable to read usage instructions on the packs of any cleaning product you purchase. It guides you on what to mix with and on what ratios/ measurements.

2. Use Abrasive Cleaners: Avoid using abrasive cleaners on delicate surfaces like glass or acrylic. They can cause scratches and damage over time. This includes avoiding harsh brushes on surfaces requiring soft brushes or cloths like porcelain.

3. Neglect Grout: Don’t overlook grout lines! Maintaining grout can be a hard or easy job depending on how well (or poorly) you take of them. The deal is to regularly clean and maintain grout to prevent mold and mildew growth.

4. Leave Standing Water: After cleaning, make sure there is no standing water on surfaces, as it can lead to mold and mildew growth. Drain all water and keep the surfaces dry.

5. Overlook Ventilation Fans: When cleaning our bathrooms, there are areas easily forgotten, and ventilation fans are one of them. Don’t forget to clean and maintain exhaust fans to ensure they’re functioning properly and expelling moisture effectively.

6. Flush Cleaning Wipes: This one do not do it, strictly! Do not flush cleaning wipes, even if they claim to be “flushable.” They can contribute to plumbing issues. It is better to be safe than sorry because catering for a plumbing job can get expensive. Discard cleaning wipes on the trash cans after use.

7. Flush Non-Flushable Items: In addition to the point above, do not flush non-flushable items like cotton swabs, sanitary products, or dental floss down the toilet, as they can cause plumbing issues.

8. Neglect Showerheads: Don’t forget to clean and descale showerheads periodically to maintain water flow and pressure. In case of stubborn water marks and soap scum, soak your showerheads in a mixture of water and vinegar for a few minutes, then scrub gently with mild soap and rinse thoroughly.

9. Skip Disinfection: How often do you disinfect your bathroom surfaces? Avoid skipping the step of disinfecting high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, faucet handles, and light switches as often as you can. Always work with a mild, skin-friendly disinfectant that does the job effectively.

10. Use Bleach on Colored Grout: Avoid using bleach on colored grout, as it can fade or discolor the grout. Opt for a mild cleaner instead. Even for this, if you are not sure, first test on a small area and see how the cleaner behaves. If your grout cleaner is store-bought, always read the label first and see if there are any instructions on how to use the product.

11. Store Items Directly on Surfaces: Don’t leave personal care products directly on countertops or in the shower. Use trays or organizers to keep surfaces clutter-free and easier to clean.

12. Ignore Ceiling and Walls: Don’t neglect the bathroom ceiling and walls. Dust and cobwebs can accumulate in these areas, affecting the overall cleanliness of the space. Work on these areas in the right way when doing your regular bathroom cleaning routine.

13. Overlook the Toilet Base: The toilet base refers to the area between the sitting area and the area that touches the floor- all around it! Most of the time, we are tempted to think that as long as the sitting area and the bowl’s inside are clean, the whole toilet is okay. But we forget the base area, which quickly collects dirt, dust, watermarks, grime, etc. Do not skip cleaning this part, too.

14. Leave Wet Bath Mats: Don’t leave wet bath mats on the floor for extended periods. Hang them up to dry to prevent mold and musty odors.

15. Leave Wet Shower Caddy: After showering, empty and dry your shower caddy to prevent rust and mold on the metal or plastic. This is where you place your household’s bathing essentials like soap, scrubs, etc., and definitely the presence of mold ain’t a good thing here.

16. Forget About Window Coverings: When cleaning other fabric essentials of your bathroom like hand towels, face towels, and regular towels, do not forget about blinds and bathroom curtains- they too get dirty. Extremely! They’re capable of collecting dust, moisture, and soap that spatters around once in a while.

17. Store Medications in the Bathroom: I cannot insist on this enough! Storing medication in the bathroom may affect its efficacy due to humidity and varying temperatures present in the bathroom.

18. Rush Through Cleaning: Take your time while cleaning the bathroom. Rushing through the process can lead to missed spots and ineffective cleaning. But then again, when cleaning your bathroom becomes a routine, you’ll notice you get better at it. A few minutes is all you’ll need to do a wipe-down effectively.

To sum it up,

Those are some of the do’s and don’ts you can check and work on (if not already) to help you keep an easy, clean, and usable bathroom enjoyed by everyone in your household.

Remember, a well-maintained bathroom contributes to a hygienic, healthy, and comfortable living space. It plays a big role!

So, keep that bathroom area clean by doing some of the things we’ve highlighted, add more to the list (forget what doesn’t apply to you), and don’t forget to add a grin 😊. It is not always about defeating the mess; it’s also about enjoying a fresh and inviting space that adds a little extra sparkle to your day!