Cleanliness and hygiene are part of a protocol that should reign in every contemporary home. Especially in those areas such as kitchens and bathrooms that are so intimately connected with our diet and ablutions.
Modern materials and cleaning products mean it’s never been easier to maintain a clean bathroom. Basic bathroom cleaning should be carried out daily with a more extensive bathroom clean undertaken weekly.
There are many theories regarding the most effective ways of how to clean a bathroom but regular upkeep is always advisable. The following article looks at bathroom cleaning tips and considers the best way to clean a bathroom.
Recommended cleaning products and useful tools for bathroom cleaning
Cleaners for a general purpose
- Vinegar
- Water
- Bicarbonate
- Lemon
- Bleach
Tools
Even the best bathroom cleaner is no good without the right tools
- A good broom
- Good quality mop
- Bucket
- Cloths (different ones for the toilet and the wash basin)
- A squeegee (for shower screens)
- Old discarded toothbrush (for grout and tiles)
Hard or soft water
Where you live and the amount of calcium in the water supply can be an issue. Water is said to be hard when there is a greater concentration of calcium.
With regard to how to clean bathroom taps and how to clean a shower head calcium can build up over time, leaving streaks. This will also influence how to clean a shower screen and even how to clean toilet bowl.
Can you mix baking soda and vinegar to clean?
Yes. They can be sued separately or mixed together and do in fact provide much more environmentally friendly cleaning.
Is vinegar a good shower cleaner?
The short answer is yes. Make sure it’s white vinegar and a splash of fresh lemon juice will also help cut through the grime.
The best way to clean your bathroom, step by step
As with other domestic chores time spent preparing actually saves time in the long run.
- Start by clearing surfaces and removing as much as possible, i.e. bath mats, towels, beauty products, etc. Then dust and vacuum. Material: a long handled broom is an invaluable, one that reaches the farthest corners.
- After removing any cobwebs and dust apply a general purpose cleaning product to shower and bathtub to let it soak. Material: any commercial mild detergent will suffice but a home made one will also do.
- Wipe down other surfaces with the same product and then return to the previously soaked areas which will require some elbow grease. Material: A micro fibre cloth is recommended but most importantly use separate wipes for the toilet.
- Tackle the vanity unit and toilet separately as they require different products. Material: a strong bleach or home made equivalent is recommended for the toilet bowl.
- Finish by mopping the floor with a general purpose floor cleaner (or similar depending on the flooring). Material: investing in a good quality mop and bucket will make the task a lot easier.
Remember to always ensure there is adequate ventilation in the bathroom to prevent mould and fungus.
Consider cleaning the bathroom as cleaning the sum of its parts
The modern UK bathroom generally consists of a toilet bowl, shower / bath tub combination and vanity unit. Each of these elements requires specific ways of cleaning.
How to clean taps is obviously not the same as how to clean a toilet. Then there are recurring cleaning issues to consider, like how to clean limescale from the toilet and how to clean limescale from taps.
Here below we look at the various artefacts of the typical UK toilet and how best to clean them.
How to clean the toilet
This is probably the most important to get right, in terms of overall hygiene.
Besides the above mentioned cleners and tools, you will want a pumice stone.
Process:
- The toilet brush should be included in the cleaning regime. Start by soaking it in the bowl with bleach for a few minutes.
- Spray the entire artefact with an anti-bacterial product, including behind and under the seat, and wipe down (not forgetting the handle).
- With regard to how to clean the toilet bowl itself much depends on how stained it is. For a deep clean mix a quarter cup of bicarbonate of soda and a cup of white vinegar, leave in the bowl for 10 minutes.
- For more engrained dirt or how to clean limescale from the toilet use a pumice stone. When dipped in water it will help gently remove stains.
Rimless toilets are easier to clean
Remember the choice of toilet bowl itself is a tool in how to clean the toilet. Some fixtures such as the Noken collection of rimless toilets make the cleaning tasks even quicker.
How to clean the wash basin
The best practice regarding how to clean the wash basin is to use a gentle product on the ceramic, nothing too abrasive. A mixture of vinegar and water is perfect for the task.
- Toothpaste residue should be removed on a daily basis, and wiping down the wash basin after brushing your teeth is good practice.
- Make sure to buff the plug hole if it’s metal.
How to clean taps
Limescale can build-up in the sink. Using an old toothbrush is a great tool when it comes to how to clean limescale from taps. Use a paste made from bicarbonate of soda and vinegar for stubborn build-up.
Chrome and brass taps
Antibacterial wipes are a great idea for how to clean chrome taps, a place where germs can gather.
Buff with a dry cloth afterwards and dab with baby oil to make the shine last. A paste of lemon and baking soda on the other hand is a very effect agent for how to clean brass taps.
How to clean the bathroom vanity unit
- Remove all items from surfaces and use a mild cleaning product to wipe down.
- Soap and water should be perfectly adequate and is mild enough for any material such as wood or marble.
How to clean the shower
Simple vinegar is great for how to clean a shower screen. But wiping with a squeegee after every use is good practice.
- Start from the top down, how to clean a shower head should remove the build up of limescale.
- Place the unscrewed nozzle in a plastic bag with a vinegar and water solution (equal parts) for 3 hours.
- Regarding how to clean grout in a shower use a solution of water and bleach and apply with a spray and brush vigorously.
- For shower curtains either wash in the washing machine or submerge in warm water with a drop of bleach.
What is the best way to clean a shower?
The secret is elbow grease or in other words a vigorous clean using a general purpose cleaner or other as outlined in this article.
How to clean the bathtub
A lot depends of the material. Use an all purpose cleaning product and scrub with a soft nylon bristle type brush for how to clean an acrylic or fibreglass bathtub.
It’s good practice to wash down and dry after every use.
What is the best way to clean your bathtub?
Whatever the cleaning product you choose allow it to soak for 10 minutes which helps to dislodge grease and grime.
How to clean bathroom tiles
Ceramic tiles do not require much maintenance, just a wipe with a mild cleaning product. The best way to clean bathroom tiles is to include them in the weekly regime.
Bathroom grout
Greater effort is required however for how to clean bathroom grout.
- For a natural product to clean bathroom grout, instead of bleach, use three parts bicarbonate of soda and one part water.
- Apply the paste to the grout and leave for 15 minutes, scrub and rinse.
Porcelain bathroom tiles
Porcelain tiles will require a slightly different approach. Follow this link to find out more about how to clean porcelain tiles.
How long should it take to clean a bathroom?
If cleaned on a regular basis (weekly) no more than 30 minutes should be required.
How often should you clean the bathroom?
A weekly clean should be enough but every now and again (say monthly) a deep clean will ensure maximum hygiene.
With the right bathroom fixtures and fittings cleaning is a much easier job to undertake. That’s why making sure to choose the right sanitary ware, taps and finishes is so important from the outset.
The range of products for bathrooms produced by the Porcelanosa Group under their different firms will help create a slick and contemporary bathroom. And one that is easy to keep clean.
