SPRING CLEAN – Bathrooms
In which we tackle some serious nasty in a fresh way
The citric acid in lemons is an amazingly useful, organic cleanser, and it boasts at least twenty-four different cleaning solutions.
When cleaning confined spaces like a bathroom, organic cleansers like citric acid, baking soda and vinegar can literally be lifesavers. As you probably know, mixing bleach with ammonia can kill you . Mixing ANY chemicals (even just the fumes) is dangerous, not to mention foul-smelling.
We’re not saying that you should never never never use chemical cleaners, just keep an open mind, and give more natural options a try.
Chances are, you’ll save some money and avoid a headache.
Below is our bathroom cleaning list – CLICK HERE for a printable version!
The Basics
- Dust light fixtures
- Clear ceiling cobwebs
- Dust blinds
- Treat curtains as needed [launder/spot clean/switch to summer fabrics]
- Clean windows & sills
- Walls – scan ceiling to baseboard for obvious marks & scrub them out
- Include switchplates & doorknobs here! A quick swipe is usually sufficient
- Shine mirror(s)
- Clean the sink – go after the drain, the handles and all the nasty that accumulates in the grooves around those fixtures with a flexible, Brillo-type sponge
- Clean the tub and/or shower, and be sure to give it a good, soaking rinse-off afterward. Even cleaning products can lead to goopy buildup when not rinsed properly
- Launder the shower curtain(s)
Hey, it’s time for a snack! Or a dance break. Or a cup of coffee.
The point is to get some air, here, since you’ve got a lot of cleaning fumes mixing it up in a typically small space. Open some windows, get outside. Refreshing and, you know, safe.
- Ew, the toilet. Do it quickly and thoroughly, right when you return from your break. Dust the top, clean the bowl & rim, try lemonade to remove stubborn stains. Wipe down the base. Ah, see? That’s better.
- Clear out all of cabinets, one at a time, just like the kitchen cabinets.
- Wipe down the ins and outs, the shelves, doors and handles
- Toss any expired or down-to-the-dredges items, wipe off & replace what remains in an organized fashion
- Wipe down the countertops
- Sweet & mop the floors, ‘cuz you’re done in here! (okay, mostly done — don’t forget to put your shower curtain(s) back up)
Bonuses
- Remove the seat from the toilet to clean around the seat bolts
- Remove the window screens and spray them down with a garden hose to get the dust off
- Clean and reseal grout if you’re feeling extra-productive
