How to Safely Clean Your Bathroom

By Maid Brigade of Northern Connecticut

When cleaning your bathroom, you want to make sure you eliminate germs and soap scum, but you also want to do it safely.

To do this, you’ll want to avoid harsh chemicals that can linger in the air and water, and irritate your skin, lungs and mucous membranes.

Most popular disinfecting household cleansers are full of harmful chemicals, and in the bathroom, we constantly come in contact with all kinds of surfaces. These toxins can easily get on your skin, and with the next flush of the toilet, the chemicals will flow into the wastewater system, where they can seep into the ground.

With earth-friendly – and family-friendly – products, you can keep your bathroom clean and safe without harsh chemicals.

To get your toilet sparkling white, mix together half a cup of vinegar and a spoonful of baking soda. Pour the mixture into the toilet bowl and let sit for about 30 minutes before scrubbing.

Baking soda and all-natural dish soap works wonders at removing soap scum from shower doors, as well as hard water and rust stains on ceramic tile. Use a sponge or cloth to rub the paste into the surface until stains are gone, then wipe clean with warm water. To tackle stains on the grout, scrub the area with a toothbrush using the same paste.

To remove build up and mildew from the corners of your shower, spray with vinegar, and let it dry. Spray it again and wipe it clean. You should spray down the shower after each use with a mixture of water and vinegar to prevent mold from settling in the first place.

A scummy plastic or vinyl shower curtain can be cleaned in a number of ways. One way is to spritz it with a vinegar and water solution, then wipe it clean. You can also wipe curtain with a damp sponge and baking soda. For tougher build up or mildew, take the curtain off the hooks and lay it on a flat surface so you can scrub it. You could also put the shower curtain in the washing machine with 1/2 cup of baking soda and a few tablespoons of vinegar. Make sure to throw a couple towels in as well, to help rub the grime off.

One of the most common causes of a clogged bathroom drain is hair, and common drain cleaners pack a toxic punch. Instead of pouring this nasty stuff down your drain, you should create your own, non-toxic drain cleaner with baking soda and vinegar. First, remove any visible debris. Then pour about a 3/4 cup of dry baking soda down the train, followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar. Immediately plug the drain with a stopper or rag, and let it sit. The reaction from the baking soda and vinegar will break down gunk. After about 30 minutes, pour boiling water down the drain.

Many of the methods we mentioned for cleaning the bathtub can also work for cleaning the sink, but often it’s less grimy, so you don’t need to use a strong scrub. Instead, you can make a spray cleaner by mixing two cups of baking soda, 1/2 cup all-natural dish soap, 1 cup of water, and 1/2 cup vinegar. You can then polish the fixtures with a mix of equal parts vinegar and baking soda and rinse clean. Toothpaste also works well on chrome fixtures.

For a streak-free mirror, you can just use a clean, lint-free cloth and warm water. If you need something a little stronger, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, and spritz away.

To clean a tile floor, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda into a warm bucket of water and mop as you normally would. Add a little bit of lemon juice for a fresh scent. If your bathroom floor is small, simply wipe it with the same spray cleaner you used on the sink.

Maid Brigade of Central Connecticut can help you get that bathroom nice and clean – and safe. Give us a call at 860-645-6243 and we’ll help you out.