You want to believe when you move into a new apartment that it’s been deep cleaned. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Considering you don’t know who lived there prior to you, you also don’t know whose rear end was last on your toilet seat. In order to give yourself a fresh, germ-free bathroom, use this guide to confidently clean the grossest room in your place.
Rule #1: Glove-up. Protect your hands from all the chemicals and bacteria covered surfaces you are about to touch.
Start in the Shower
Begin with your showerhead. Why? A pathogen linked to pulmonary disease called Mycobacterium avium likes to collect in this spot. Plus, the soap scum struggle is real. Vinegar is an environmentally, cost-friendly cleaning wizard and your new best friend. Fill a plastic grocery bag with vinegar (enough to cover your shower head) and tie it around your nozzle. Let it soak overnight if you can. This will clean off the bacteria as well as grime that clogs every shower head.
If you don’t have new shower curtains, run yours through the washing machine. It’s way easier than scrubbing them and it does a better job! Simply hang them back up to dry.
For glass doors/walls, mix baking soda and vinegar into a paste and then cover the glass. Let it sit for an hour and then scrub with a microfiber cloth. Rinse it off and buff with a dry microfiber cloth.
Your tub needs less attention than you might think. Fill it with hot water then drain and apply your favorite bathroom cleaner and let it sit. Scrub clean after 15 minutes.
Give your shower and tub a surface clean every week and deep clean monthly.
Grout Gutting
Your grout hosts bacteria too. Giving it a scrub with a toothbrush and bleach will prevent bacteria growth and mold. Seal it every six months to keep the grout in the best shape and to prevent bacteria from sneaking into its porous surface. DuPont Sealer from Lowes is a good choice and only costs $15.
Toilet Time
Tackle the toilet bowl first. Pour a cup of baking soda into the bowl and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub with your toilet brush and then flush. If you still have spots, invest in a pumice stone. A dampened pumice stone will help get those stubborn marks out. Clean the rest of the toilet with your choice of cleaner and pay extra attention to places where grime builds (like around the hinges that attach your toilet seat).
When you are all done cleaning the toilet, do not forget that the toilet brush needs cleaning too. Pinch it between your toilet seat and bowl rim. Douse it with bleach and let it sit for five minutes. Afterwards, pour warm water over it to rinse the bleach off, rotating the handle while you pour. Put soap and warm water into the basin for the brush and allow it to soak there for another 5-10 minutes. Empty the dirty water into the toilet and flush. All done.
Rule #2: ALWAYS (Always!) put the seat down to flush. When you flush your toilet, an invisible fireworks display happens and it isn’t pretty. Germs fly out and cover everything. This study on microbiological hazards of household toilets will frighten you into the habit.
Beware- never use bleach and vinegar together. This combo creates a toxic chlorine and is extremely dangerous to inhale.
Clean the sink or swim…in germs.
Pour a little white vinegar or baking soda down the drain to clean out any residue. Build up here can leave a smell and a handy grip for insects to climb. Invest in disposable wipes for your faucet. If you use a cloth, be sure to store it separately and avoid the spread of germs. A handy trick for cleaning the space where your faucet meets your sink top is to use floss. It gets right in there and tackles the job well. Wash your basin with vinegar, baking soda, or your favorite cleaner.
To keep soap bars from scumming up the surface of your sink, dab a tiny amount of baby oil on the spot the bar sits.
[tweetthis]Give your shower and tub a surface clean every week and deep clean monthly. #cleaningtips[/tweetthis]
Floors, Doors, Walls and Tiles
Every surface in your bathroom must be cleaned, especially when you move into a new home. Tackle each of these surfaces with cleaners that are safe for them. Always do test spots to be sure you won’t stain or strip paint, or damage tile. Don’t forget that doorknob too.
Once the first clean is done, it’s all about smart use and upkeep. By keeping your toilet lid down and doing a quick clean weekly, as well as a deep clean monthly, your bathroom will be as germ-free as it gets. Clean your place top to bottom with these tips and don’t forget to wash your hands when you’re finished.