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Bathroom cleaning can be quite a hassle, but it’s one of the most used areas in any home, and it’s a challenge we can’t ignore! To make the task of cleaning your bathroom feel more achievable, we collected advice from cleaning experts and compiled 25 handy tips to help keep your bathroom sparkling clean and smelling fresh.

1. Keep a Cleaning Caddy Handy

Make sure to stock your bathroom with disinfectant wipes, glass cleaner, and an all-purpose cleaner in a convenient caddy. This way, you’ll have everything you need for quick touch-ups, as suggested by Kathy Cohoon, operations manager at Two Maids.

“With these supplies at hand, toothpaste splatters won’t have a chance to dry on the mirror, and water won’t stick around long enough to create a moldy mess by the sink. Plus, you’ll always be ready for unexpected guests,” Cohoon points out.

2. Try a Vinegar and Water Rinse 

Here’s a helpful tip recommended by three experts: Jennifer Rodriguez, the chief hygiene officer at ProHousekeepers, along with Cohoon and Becky Rapinchuk from Clean Mama, suggest using a simple solution of equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Applying this mixture daily or every other day can help prevent soap scum buildup in your shower.

Tip: Rodriguez recommends mixing a few drops of your favorite essential oil into the solution in a spray bottle to bring a refreshing scent to the bathroom.

3. Fixing a Sputtering Showerhead

To tackle a sputtering showerhead, try soaking it in distilled white vinegar to dissolve the mineral deposits blocking the jets. Simply remove the showerhead and let it soak in a bowl or bucket overnight.

If the showerhead is stubborn and won’t budge, fill a plastic bag with vinegar, then securely attach it to the showerhead using several rubber bands. Leave it on overnight, and the next morning, just turn on the water to rinse away the loosened minerals.

4. Always Use Clean Cleaning Tools

To achieve the best cleaning results, always begin with clean tools. A dirty mop struggles to absorb dirt effectively and can leave streaks on the floor, while a vacuum packed with dust won’t perform its job well. Additionally, dusters that are loaded with grime can scratch surfaces. Make it a habit to clean your supplies after each use, so they’re ready to go whenever you need them.

5. Get a Shower Squeegee

A shower squeegee is an essential tool for keeping your glass clean after each rinse. “Make a shower squeegee your new best friend,” advises Cohoon. You can easily find one at any store that sells cleaning supplies. Hang it up and use it after every shower; this simple habit is one of the most effective ways to prevent hard-water deposits from accumulating on your shower tiles and doors.

6. Allow Your Shower Curtain to Breathe

Shower curtains tend to attract scum and mildew, as they often remain damp after use, according to Cohoon. To help your shower curtain dry thoroughly, try opening the bathroom windows when you shower.

If your bathroom doesn’t have a window, a spray of vinegar and baking soda can work wonders in keeping mildew and mold at bay. This is essential for both the appearance and health of your home.

7. Use the Benefits of Steam

Rodriguez suggests using a handheld steam cleaner to thoroughly sanitize and eliminate dirt from tiles, grout, and bathroom fixtures. The steam’s high temperature works wonders by breaking down and dissolving stubborn buildup.

8. Eliminate Hard Water Rings and Streaks

If you live in an area with hard water, you’re likely dealing with unsightly rings or streaks in your toilet bowl, even with regular cleaning. Hard water contains high levels of minerals like magnesium, calcium, and iron, which can leave behind chalky white residue or rust-colored stains that require extra effort to remove.

To prevent these stains from taking hold, try using vinegar and baking soda every few days. For tougher discoloration, you can also create a borax paste with water to effectively tackle the issue.

9. Laundry Supplies to Tackle Soap Scum

Go to the laundry room and grab some dryer sheets to tackle soap scum. Rodriguez suggests wetting a dryer sheet and using it to scrub away the grime on glass shower doors and tiles. The fabric softener in the sheet helps loosen the scum, making it much easier to wipe away.

10. Clean Tight Corners and Spaces Using an Old Toothbrush

Don’t underestimate your old toothbrush; it’s a fantastic tool for tackling those hard-to-reach areas, like shower door tracks or the cramped spaces behind sink faucets. If you have a collection of takeout chopsticks gathering dust, put them to work! Simply wrap a microfiber cloth around a chopstick to easily clean small fixtures and those tricky nooks and crannies.

11. Try To Use Your Own Toilet Cleaner Bombs

You can easily whip up homemade toilet bowl cleaner bombs by mixing together baking soda, citric acid, and your choice of essential oils, as suggested by Rodriquez. Just drop these fizzy bombs into the toilet bowl, let them bubble away, then give it a scrub and flush for a sparkling clean finish.

12. Wonders of Microfiber

“Consider investing in microfiber cloths for your cleaning routine,” Rodriguez suggests. “These cloths are excellent at capturing dirt and bacteria and are perfect for wiping surfaces without leaving behind streaks or lint.”

Tip: For added efficiency, try color-coding your clothes by using different shades for cleaning the kitchen and bathroom.

13. Control Toilet Leaks with Food Coloring

If you think your toilet might be leaking, a simple test with food coloring can help you determine the source of the problem. Just add a few drops of food coloring to the tank of your toilet. This easy method will clearly reveal where the leak is occurring. Even a small leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water each day, leading to a significant increase in your water and sewer bills over the year.

14. Defog Your Mirrors Using Shaving Cream

To keep your bathroom mirrors from fogging up during steamy showers, try applying a thin layer of shaving cream. Once you’ve spread it evenly, simply wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. This handy tip comes from Rodriquez, who suggests it as an effective solution.

15. Sanitize Your Toilet Brush Drip Dry

Storing a dirty, wet toilet brush back in its holder can lead to the growth of mold and bacteria in your bathroom. To prevent this, after you’ve cleaned your toilet, give the brush a good spray with hydrogen peroxide to disinfect it. Next, place the wet brush under the toilet seat to let it drip dry into the bowl. This way, the brush can dry out properly before you put it away, as suggested by Rapinchuk.

16. DIY Grout Cleaner

Rodriguez shares a simple way to whip up a homemade grout cleaner. Start by mixing baking soda and water to form a paste, then generously apply it along the grout lines. Take an old toothbrush to scrub the mixture in, and finish off by rinsing the area for noticeably cleaner grout.

17. Personalize Your Air Freshener

Create your own air freshener using just distilled white vinegar and your favorite essential oils. To achieve a fine mist that’s perfect for freshening up a space, grab a mister bottle typically used for watering plants. Using a small funnel, pour pure distilled white vinegar into the bottle.

Next, add a few drops of essential oils to the vinegar for that aromatic touch. You can opt for scents like citrus, lavender, or earthy woodsy notes. Alternatively, consider infusing your vinegar with herbs, citrus peels, or flower petals for a more personalized fragrance.

18. Maintaining Clean Makeup Brushes

To ensure your makeup brushes, Beauty Blenders, tweezers, and eyelash curlers are free from bacteria and leftover makeup, it’s important to clean them regularly. A gentle baby shampoo is perfect for this task. With just a few simple steps, you can easily give your makeup tools a thorough cleaning.

19. Use DIY Bleach Pen for Cleaning Dirty Grout

Bleach pens are surprisingly versatile cleaners that can work wonders on dirty grout. Simply glide the pen along the grout lines in your bathroom or kitchen tiles and allow it to sit overnight. The next day, use a sponge or cloth dampened with warm water to wipe away the residue, and enjoy bright, clean grout lines for days on end.

Tip: If you don’t have a bleach pen handy, you can pour some chlorine bleach into a clean, empty school glue bottle. This will give you a handy applicator for precise grout application.

20. Dust Before You Clean

Bathrooms tend to accumulate dust. Before you start cleaning, grab a duster to sweep away dust from countertops, window sills, and toilet tanks. This way, you won’t have to push that dust around while you clean.

21. Try a Tipsy Toilet Clean

If you find yourself out of toilet bowl cleaner, take a peek in your liquor cabinet for a budget-friendly bottle of vodka. Pour about half a cup of vodka into the toilet bowl and give it a good scrub. You can also use it to moisten a microfiber cloth, perfect for disinfecting your toilet seat and cover.

22. Try Oxygen Bleach

Sprinkle some oxygen bleach into the toilet bowl, allowing it to sit for about 15 minutes or even overnight. Then, scrub the bowl and flush! According to Rapinchuk, this method works wonders for naturally whitening your toilet.

23. Revitalize Your Grout Cleaning

If you have an old electric toothbrush or an extra brush head lying around, put it to good use for cleaning grout and those hard-to-reach spots around faucets. Simply dampen the toothbrush head and dip it in baking soda, which acts as a gentle abrasive to help lift away soap scum and entrenched dirt.

24. Transform Your Bathroom Trash Can

When you take out the plastic liner from the bathroom trash can, give the can a rinse with warm water and some all-purpose cleaner. Before adding a new liner, sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom to help keep it smelling fresh.

25. Using Aluminum Foil to Eliminate Rust from Chrome

If you notice rust on your chrome fixtures, aluminum foil can help restore their luster. Simply crumple a square of aluminum foil into a loose ball, dip it into a mixture of warm, soapy water, and gently rub it over the rusty chrome in small circular motions.

It’s important to keep both the foil and the chrome well-lubricated as you clean. If the foil starts to discolor or tear, toss it aside and grab a fresh piece until the chrome is polished to your satisfaction. Once you’re done, be sure to rinse the chrome thoroughly with warm water and buff it dry with a soft cloth for a nice finish.

26. Transform Your Bathroom Relaxing Space with a Quiet Fan

To enjoy a peaceful atmosphere in your bathroom, start by quieting the fan. You can easily do this by removing dust and dirt using a disposable duster or a handheld vacuum.

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