This Week’s Top 5 Bathroom Cleaning Blunders

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who enjoys cleaning their bathroom.

It’s time-consuming, arduous, and a little bit gross sometimes.

We’ve found the 5 mistakes many people make while cleaning their bathroom. The good news? Rectifying them will definitely make doing this household chore more efficient and effective.

1. Cleaning Product Confusion

As tempting as it can be to grab the multipurpose spray and use it on everything, the different surfaces in your bathroom require different cleaners.

Your tiles will need a specialised cleaner safe for your type of tile, toilets will need a strong antibacterial product to effectively treat germs and you’ll need a glass cleaner for mirrors and screens for a streak-free result.

Once you spray the product, you should be allowing enough time for it to work its magic, rather than wiping it off straight away. Follow the product’s label instructions to ensure you’re getting optimum effectiveness.

And always use products safely. Avoid mixing chemicals, ventilate while cleaning, and use natural cleaning products where possible. Not sure how? Here’s a great place to start.

2. Using the Same Sponge or Cloth on Every Job

Wiping down every surface with the same cloth or sponge can lead to cross contamination, potentially making your bathroom dirtier than it was to begin with.

Buy different sponges or cloths for each area and if you’re planning on reusing them, sterilise them with boiling water or a disinfectant.

Avoid using paper towels, where possible. Microfibre cloths are a great option, thanks to their fine fibres that can easily pick up dirt and grime. You can also wash and reuse these cloths as well, so they’re much better for the environment.

3. Bad Brush Behaviour

It makes sense that your toilet brush houses myriad bacteria. Keep it clean by filling a bucket with hot water and bleach (see the bottle’s instructions for measurement advice). Let it soak for an hour or so, before rinsing and letting it dry completely before putting it back in the holder.

Ensure that you clean the holder as well.

Once you’ve cleaned the bowl, sit the brush on top of the seat and let it drip dry.

Don’t forget your toothbrush! While you should be replacing your toothbrush every few months, you should also be cleaning it regularly. Soak it in a cup of boiling water for an hour or so once a week and remember to clean the toothbrush holder, too.

Experts recommend that you don’t keep your toothbrush close to the toilet. Keeping your toothbrush at least a metre away from the toilet will keep it safe from any particles released when you flush.

4. Cleaning at Room Temperature

This is a fantastic tip and something I had never thought of doing before. But it makes total sense!

Fill the sink with the hottest water that you can to warm the vanity and bathroom overall. After a couple of minutes, scrub and clean all areas. It’s a simple trick and will make it a much more effective clean.

5. Neglecting Important Areas

You want to get the job done quickly, but there are some areas of your bathroom that many of us may be forgetting to clean.

Some of the main areas you should be remembering to focus on include:

• High touch areas such as your light switches, cabinet handles, toilet paper holders, and towel racks.
• The exterior of the toilet bowel, including the tank and behind it, too.
• The shower drain.
• The bottom of the shower door, where gunk accumulates.
• Shelves or drawers.