The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the house, with all the heavy traffic, and the  kind of traffic it gets keeping it clean and sanitary can be a challenge. Use these tips to help.

Never mix bleach and ammonia cleaning products, the fumes can literally kill you!

Quick Bathroom Cleaning

It’s best to clean up right after a steamy bath or shower because the steam loosens all the dirt. That includes the walls, fixtures and every other surface in your bathroom.

Cleaning the Sink

Use a fresh cut lemon for cleaning light stains. For heavier stains add some peroxide and lemon juice. Wipe  down with vinegar and a drop of oil and the sink will sparkle like it’s brand new.

Bathtub Rings

Always rinse the tub immediately after using. If rings form, wipe them off with undiluted ammonia. For tougher stains, sprinkle a sponge generously with baking soda to use along with the ammonia. Make sure you rinse thoroughly. Vinegar and automatic dish washing detergent mixed together can help for tougher stains.

Cleaning with Peroxide

Peroxide is a miracle cleaner to help clean caulk and shine chrome and glass. It’s less expensive than many cleaners and leaves a fresh clean smell behind.

Cleaning Toilet Bowl

• Pour a ¼ cup bleach into toilet bowl while you are cleaning everything else, or in the morning before work and leave it sit all day.
• Once a month pour a ½ gallon of white vinegar into toilet bowl and leave it sit overnight. You will never have to worry about rings.
• Keep the toilet bowl ring-free by pouring a half-gallon of white vinegar in it once a month. Let it soak overnight before flushing.
• Pour 1 cup of baking soda into toilet bowl on a weekly basis to avoid clogging and odors.

Getting to Dirt in the Corner

Qtips are the best for getting into those stubborn corners. An old toothbrush can sometimes do the trick as well.

Mildew

To remove mildew from the corners of the tub, dip cotton balls in bleach and let them sit, when you finish cleaning the bath, remove cotton and rinse well. The mildew will be gone.

Shower Tile

Use a tile cleaner once a week to keep shower tiles looking best. About once a month or so apply a good paste wax and buff with a dry cloth to deter future water spots.

Shower Doors

Rub glass shower doors with a white vinegar-dampened sponge to remove soap residue and dry thoroughly. You can also use vinegar to clean the tracks by letting it soak for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly.

Air Freshener

Keep a fabric softener in the waste basket to help keep the bathroom smelling fresh. You can also dab essential oil onto the lightbulb. When it heats up, it smells great. Plug in air fresheners also work great.

Freshen Drain

To freshen drain, pour 1/4 to 1/2 box of baking soda down the drain, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Cover drain tightly for a few minutes and flush with cold water.

Helpful Hints

• Always keep an all-purpose cleaner in the bathroom so you can give it a quick cleanup at anytime, especially when unexpected company shows up.
• Keep a squeegee in the shower so everyone can wipe it down when they are done (this will help prevent mildew).
• Steam helps to loosen build-up so why not clean while you’re in there?
• Disinfectant can be used on everything in the bath except the mirror.
• Don’t forget doorknobs and switchplates.