Bathroom cleaning checklist

Cleaning your bathroom doesn’t have to be such a daunting task, if you know where to start! Generally, when cleaning anything, the rule is to start from the top, and work your way down. You also want to have all of your supplies readily available. Good supplies for cleaning a bathroom include a broom, dustpan, mop, bucket, window cleaner, scouring powder or a non-abrasive cleanser, latex gloves, squeegee, disinfectant, floor cleaner, a scrub brush, a toilet brush, a sponge, an old toothbrush, newspaper, paper towels, an old towel, a dustcloth, a non-scratch scouring pad, and perhaps bleach.

1. Clean the light fixture and dust any ventilation system.

3. Now move on to the windowsills and shelves, working from top to bottom. Remove any knick-knacks and toiletries, and thoroughly clean them. You will notice that some dirt from the top shelves may fall to the next shelf, and so on. This is good, because by cleaning in this direction, you will catch every bit of dust and dirt.

4. Don’t forget to clean the door. Clean the top of the frame, and gently wipe off any grime or fingerprints around the doorknob and on the frame with a sponge.

5. Dust around the mirrors, and then clean them with a window cleaner. A nifty trick is to use newspaper instead of paper towels. This method causes less streaking, and is inexpensive as well.

6. Next, clean the toilet. This is a good time to put on those gloves! Make sure that in addition to cleaning the bowl, you also clean underneath the lid, and disinfect the top and bottom of the fixture. Also clean the crevices around the toilet, especially where the bolts are located. Do not use the same sponge to clean the toilet as you will to clean the sink and bathtub, as this can cause cross-contamination.

7. Now you are ready to move on to the sink. This is where the toothbrush may make an appearance. If you have a porcelain sink, use scouring powder to thoroughly clean the inside of the sink. Note: Do not use abrasive cleansers to clean fiberglass fixtures. You need to use a non-abrasive product. A sponge is the easiest thing to use to clean a sink. Rinse thoroughly, and clean around the edges of the sink. You may need to use an old toothbrush to scrub the small crevices around the faucet and handles. After you have wiped off all of the cleanser, use the window cleaner to make the faucet and handles shine.

8. Move the trash basket into the doorway. You have been throwing paper towels and newspaper into it as you go, and you want it to remain accessible.

9. Take any rugs and put them into the washing machine, vacuum or shake out the dirt outdoors, depending on the manufacturer’s recommended method.

10. Sweep the floor. Make sure that you include the baseboards. If dirt on the baseboards does not easily come off with the broom, you may need to wipe them with a damp cloth, or even scrub gently with a scrub brush, if it has been a long time between cleanings.

11. Now it is time to mop the floor. Your method will depend on the type of floors that you have. One trick that works well for tile, linoleum, Pergo, and well-sealed wood floors is to put a bit of detergent into your mop bucket, and add about five drops of essential oil. Lavender is especially nice, and gives your home a very elegant, clean smell.

12. After you are finished mopping the floor, take a large rag or old towel and wipe it dry. This will prevent you from leaving footprints as you finish the job. Dump the mop water down the bathtub drain.

13. Finally, you are ready to clean the bathtub and shower. Make certain that the outside of each are clean by wiping down and disinfecting the surfaces. Take your scrub brush and scouring powder and scrub away the grime. If there are stubborn spots, a non-scratch scouring pad comes in handy. Again, it is important to note here that fiberglass fixtures scratch very easily, and should not be cleaned with abrasive cleansers or pads. You will need to adjust your cleaning materials and method to the type of shower and tub that you own. There are also special products produced especially for built-up lime deposits, if that is a problem. Do take care when using a variety of cleaning products, and read the labels carefully.

14. You may notice brown spots on caulk and tile grout. You can take the scouring pad and cleanser and scrub in between these areas. You can also try the toothbrush. If the stains are stubborn, a bleach pen is very handy for getting the stains out. Follow the manufacturers directions. Generally speaking, the longer the bleach sits on the grout, the more effective job it will do.

15. Rinse all of the areas you have cleaned and use a squeegee to get rid of excess water that can cause unsightly spots.

16. Use window cleaner to shine the spigots, knobs and showerhead.

17. Check for any water that may have gotten on the floor and wipe up with the old towel.

18. Empty the trash and replace the trash basket.

You’re finished. You now have the cleanest bathroom in the neighborhood! Once you have done such a through cleaning, maintaining it will be very easy. Use preventative measures such as shower sprays to protect your grout from becoming stained, and give your bathroom a quick clean every week. You’ll find that you never have to look at a ring in a tub again.