How to Clean a Bathroom and Keep it Tidy
Establishing a Maintenance and Cleaning Routine for Bathroom Areas
Feb 28, 2008
Bathrooms require frequent cleaning and maintenance to remain clean and germ-free and to prevent the buildup of mould and odours.
Bathroom Cleaning Products
There are a wide range of commercially available bathroom cleaning products. The minimum requirement would be a toilet cleaner, general bathroom cleaner, window cleaner (for windows and mirrors) and mould cleaning product (bleach or specific mould treatment product).
Air fresheners and deodorisers are particularly marketed for bathroom areas. Air freshener sprays come in a variety of forms from pump packs to aerosols and also in slow-release plug-in or stand-alone units. Toilet disinfectant and deodoriser products are also available. Take care that products that are placed in the cistern are positioned carefully to avoid blocking the flushing mechanism.
There are low-cost and environmentally friendly cleaning product alternatives available for many general cleansers including homemade products or commercially available ranges such as Cinderella Products.
Frequent Bathroom Cleaning Tasks
- Change handtowels daily in bathrooms or ensuites that are used regularly. In a guest bathroom, handtowels need only be changed once or twice per week. Replace the handtowel in a bathroom shared by family and guests just before visitors arrive if possible.
- When changing handtowels, use the old towel to quickly wipe down the bathroom vanity. This will prevent the buildup mess, making the weekly clean easier.
- Change bath towels one or two times per week. If towels are used more than once each day or if the bathroom is poorly ventilated, preventing towels from drying completely between uses, this may need to be done more frequently.
Weekly Bathroom Cleaning
- Toilet – this should be cleaned and disinfected at least weekly. This includes disinfecting any potty chair or child toilet training aids.
- Bath – If used regularly, this should be wiped over with a bathroom cleaner. Be aware that some bathtub enamel surfaces require special non-abrasive cleaning products.
- Shower – Using a squeegee or shower cleaning cloth to wipe down tiles after each use will make the more detailed weekly clean much easier.
- Mirror – Use a window cleaner or special mirror/window cleaning cloth to achieve a streak-free finish.
- Mop floor.
- Wash or air bathmat.
Monthly Bathroom Cleaning
- Shower doors/curtains – clean well, removing shower curtains and allowing to dry in the sun if possible. Ensure that the tracks of bathroom doors are also cleaned well. An old toothbrush can be useful to reach awkward, hard-to-reach spots near hinges or corners.
- Clean bathroom exhaust fans.
- Check walls and ceilings for signs of mould. Mould should be dealt with quickly if it appears. Commercially available mould cleansers, sugar soap or dilute bleach solutions can work well, but should be tested first to ensure that they do not damage paint or other surface finishes. Mould-resistant paint can help to minimise mould growth and good ventilation will reduce the risk of mould problems.
Three-Monthly Bathroom Cleaning
- Replace toothbrushes.
- Clean out vanity. A good opportunity to clear out almost-empty products and purchase replacements.
- Wash bathroom curtains or blinds if applicable.
General Bathroom Cleaning
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning and maintaining spa baths.
- Check medicine cabinet contents at least every six months, checking supplies of regularly used items and reviewing expiry dates on medications.
Bathrooms are high traffic areas that can quickly become unhygienic if left unattended. Developing a regular cleaning routine or establishing a cleaning checklist will ensure that the bathroom remains clean and tidy for use by family and visitors.
