As spring begins, we enter the annual season known as “spring cleaning.” Whether your goal is to start the season fresh with a clean home or you’re considering selling, there are specific areas of the home you should focus on more than others. One of those rooms happens to be the bathroom. Often one of the dirtiest places in the house, the bathroom is usually the one we want the cleanest. To ensure a sterilized and fresh space, make sure you don’t forget these 10 spots you often overlook when cleaning the bathroom:
The Showerhead
Mineral deposits found in water can often build up and affect the showerhead. Ensure you keep the jets in the nozzle clear by spraying the showerhead with a mixture of 50 percent white vinegar and 50 percent water. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes and then wipe clean with a dry cloth. Do this every week.
The Base of the Toilet
When cleaning the toilet, it’s normal to just focus on the bowl, seat, lid and the top of the tank. However, there is more to it than that. The underside of the bowl and the plumbing piping behind the toilet can be just as important to the bathroom’s overall cleanliness. For the hard-to-reach places, try using a steam wand to disinfect and then a cloth to wipe it down.
Lighting
Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the bathroom light fixtures. Do this by turning off the light and wiping down the inside and outside of the fixture as well as the bulb.
Sink, Bathtub and Shower Drains
Drains can get clogged with hair over time. To prevent having to snake the drain, complete regular maintenance by removing the drain or drain cover, rinsing it and using a soft bristled brush to clean the inside.
Air Vents, Fans and Returns
Keep the air circulating your bathroom fresh and clean by dusting and disinfecting the exhaust fan. While you can simply just dust the source, it is usually better to remove the cover and deep clean with a vacuum. If you can’t remove the cover, spray your dust want with 50 percent white vinegar and 50 percent water solution with a few drops of tea tree oil. This combination will naturally disinfect the air.
Bath Toys
Over time, mold can build up in your children’s bath toys. How can you prevent this? First, make sure they are completely dry before packing them away. Second, wash the toys regularly in a tea tree oil, white vinegar and water solution.
Inside the Faucet
Just like with the showerhead, mineral deposits can also build up in your faucet spout. To prevent this and maintain your water pressure, disassemble the nozzle and clean the aerator with white vinegar. For a deeper clean, use a stiff-bristled brush dipped in vinegar to keep the faucet clean.
Drawers
Makeup, hair and more can build up in the bottom of your bathroom drawers. Once a month, remove everything from the drawer, do a quick wipe down and then reorganize the contents. Not only is it now clean, but it is also more organized.
Exposed Plumbing
Visible pipes should be wiped down every six months or so. Simply spray a diluted white vinegar solution and wipe them down for a clean and shiny appearance.
Stay tuned! Next month, we’ll give you some tips on cleaning overlooked areas of the kitchen! Happy “spring cleaning” season!