I am the only female in my house. Including the pets. That translates to never being able to count on having a clean, respectable bathroom when friends drop by unannounced. And worse than it looking dirty, it smells like the porta potty at a construction site.
I know I should stay on top of everyone and make them do their share, but honestly, even I have been a little slack in my household chores lately. With spring quickly approaching, I did some research and have found 17 bathroom cleaning tips and hacks that will help you to super clean your bathroom from floor to ceiling!
The added bonus is that all the cleaning products you need to start cleaning right this minute, you probably already have on hand. Cleaning your bathroom with vinegar and baking soda is not only cost saving but environmentally safe. You really don’t need to use heavy chemicals to deep clean your bathroom.
For full ingredient lists and tutorials, please click on the corresponding images.
So let’s get started.
How To Clean A Bathroom From Top To Bottom
Cleaning faucets with vinegar
The soap, dirt and moisture collects around your faucet and breeds. It turns into some gooey black tar and if it dries, you almost need a chisel to get it off right? Wrong!
Check out this simple and easy trick using Cleaning Vinegar and Paper Towels.
The splattered mirror
Let’s be honest. The first time I watched TBBT and seen Sheldon’s line on the bathroom floor for the appropriate distance for flossing, I laughed. Now, not so much.
My mirror always has splatters and splashes all over it and they are nearly impossible to get off with traditional store bought products. Believe it or not, a natural solution you can make yourself, works like a dream.
Mix up the following ingredients in spray bottle and be sure to use Plastic Funnel so you do not waste any product. All you need is Ammonia, Rubbing Alcohol and Dawn Dishwashing Liquid.
Need help with hard water stains on your mirror, windows or shower doors? Check out this article by Tips Bulletin, How To Clean Windows.
Baking soda for cleaning toilet bowl build-up
Get rid of the stains and the hard water build-up once and for all using Borax, Baking Soda and Cleaning Vinegar. For stubborn stains use a Scrub Brush and/or Sand Paper to get your throne super shiny!
The bad aim toilet cleaning hacks
Men. Your aim is not as great as you think it is. And you make my bathroom stink!
Cleaning a toilet is a big job if you want to do it right. You need to remove the toilet seat and get into all the crevices that are letting bacteria grow and smell. Click the image to get my full tutorial on easy toilet cleaning.
Cleaning drains with baking soda and vinegar
Because I am deathly afraid of a plumber’s bill, I keep on top of my drains and make sure they are flowing properly. Give your drain a clean-up using Salt, Baking Soda and Cleaning Vinegar. This method also works great if you do have a serious clog.
Cleaning the shower head of hard water build up
Don’t go running out to buy a new shower head because some of the holes are clogged. Just add Cleaning Vinegar and Lemon Essential Oil to a Ziploc Sandwich Bag, and secure with Hair Elastic. Wait half hour and remove. Wipe down with a cloth to make your shower head look brand new.
The breeding ground of mold & mildew
Mold and mildew can take over quickly in a bathroom and is extremely unhealthy, especially for the young, elderly or those with weakened immune systems. And cleaning the infected areas with a strong, industrial cleaner is out of the question for those too.
Use this simple, environmental mix of Cleaning Vinegar and Baking Soda in a Spray Bottle. Be sure to use a Disposable Face Mask and Latex Gloves when dealing with areas containing mold.
Source: My Cleaning Solutions
Related Post : 6 Handy Tips To Get Rid Of Dog Odour In Your House
No one likes track lines
One of the most difficult areas to clean properly in your bathroom are the window tracks and shower door tracks. Dirt and hard water build-up gets caked in and it is difficult to get in there and clean it all out properly.
All you really need is an old Toothbrush, Cleaning Vinegar and Baking Soda to get the job done quickly and easily. Use Paper Towels or Cleaning Cloths with a Butter Knife to get right into all the corners for a thorough job.
Bathtub cleaning the easy way
Grab your Cleaning Vinegar and Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, pour it into a Spray Bottle and get to work. You will be shocked at how well this works.
How to clean bathroom tiles
I was actually going to have my grout re-done in my kitchen before I found this super trick! Works on any tile you have in your house: floor, backsplash, shower.
First lay down some Baking Soda, then mist using a Spray Bottle filled with Cleaning Vinegar. Let sit then work out the dirt and grime using a Toothbrush or Scrub Brush. Wipe down with Paper Towels or a Microfiber Cleaning Cloth to reveal brand new looking grout. I am telling you. This hack is amazing!
Cleaning glass shower doors
Get rid of the build-up and let the sun shine in! A mix of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid and Cleaning Vinegar in a Spray Bottle is all you need. Grab your Scrub Brush and get to work! For a clean, fresh scent, add some Lemon Essential Oil to your spray bottle.
Need help with hard water stains on your mirror, windows or shower doors? Check out this article by Tips Bulletin, How To Clean Windows.
The gross shower curtain
Good shower curtains are not cheap. And it takes me so long to choose a pattern I like and that I can live with for awhile. That is why I love this tip about how to clean your shower curtains: Throw your shower curtain in your washing machine on the gentle or no spin cycle. Add some cleaning vinegar to disinfect along with Liquid Laundry Detergent to get them super clean. Grab your dirty towels that need a wash as well and you get to scratch two chores off your list at once.
The disgusting vent above you
Look up. Way up. EWWWW! When is the last time I cleaned that vent?!
Improve your air quality and get it clean in a maximum of ten minutes. Here is what you will need for this task.
- Vacuum Cleaner with Crevice Tool & Brush Accessories
- Screwdriver (just in case)
- Scrub Brush
- 3-Step Steel Frame Ladder or Step Stool
- Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
The lost art of cleaning walls
Looking back, I remember that this was part of my mother’s spring cleaning routine. Look around at your walls. I bet they could use a cleaning. A world of caution: Always test a small area of your wall with your intended liquid cleaner. You don’t want to damage the walls or paint finish.
Here are the tools your need to do the job right:
- Casabella Quick Sweeper or a Swiffer Sweeper
- Pine-Sol Liquid Cleaner
- Ammonia
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
The smelly towels
Have you ever gotten out of the shower, grabbed a clean towel, put it up to your face and were surprised by the nasty smell you just inhaled. Towels can get smelly. Especially is they are not completely dry when you fold them and put them in your linen closet.
Use Cleaning Vinegar and Baking Soda with a touch of Lemon Juice in your wash cycle to get rid of the bad smells in your towels.
The boys’ bathroom
This is gonna be gross. You are going to have to get down on your knees and find the source of the smell. Usually it is right where the toilet meets the floor but can be anywhere that aim was not accurate.
Make a natural paste:
- Put 1/2 cup baking soda in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle water on the baking soda while mixing well. You want the consistency of a thick toothpaste. If you have added too much water, add more baking soda.
- Add a few drops of lemon juice. Again, if your paste is too runny, add more baking soda.
Spread your paste all around the base of the toilet. Spray the paste lightly with undiluted cleaning vinegar. Your paste should start to foam and bubble. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Use a clean cloth to remove the paste.
The cleaning chart
This is absolutely genius. And it doesn’t have to be just for tweens. This simple chart can keep anyone on top of cleaning their bathroom so that you don’t have to go through all the steps above all at once.
Purchase a Picture Frame With Glass and some Dry Erase Markers. Then create your own to do list. Be sure to keep Baby Wipes handy to clean off your list weekly.
I hope I have inspired you to get a jump on your spring cleaning and get your bathrooms guest ready. When you are done, reward yourself with a nice, long bubble bath in your fresh, clean bathroom.
Hi Elena, love all of your hints and tips – I appreciate the positivity your posts (and you) generate. This post is exactly what my toilet needs. Some of the hard water stains are stubborn. I cannot wait to try this weekend!
I am so sick of seeing posts that call for vinegar and baking soda to be used together. When they mix, you end up with nothing more than a watery liquid. No”magical” cleaning power. It’s simple science. An avid and a base cancel each other out!
I’ve read that baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is a great cleaner. I pour the baking soda into the toilet, then hydrogen peroxide then I add a few drops of orange essential oil. It works great
The urine splashes in the water, the higher the urine flows down, the higher it splashes with the water. It’s not all that the man has a bad aim, but that does happen too. Also when little girls sit on the seat, if they dip their bottoms down to far, the urine flow will go out between the seat and porcelain.
After cleaning the shower, use paste car wax, and wax it like you would a car. You will be amazed how long your clean shower will last after a good waxing.
OMG! That’s brilliant! Thank you!!
I’m the only male in the house,and the only reason my toilets have urine on them is because of the females of the house. I tend to see urine under the seat, and drips down the front side of the bowl. I myself have a great aim, and if by chance there is unexpected splash on anything, I use toilet paper to wipe it up right away. I believe keeping a clean toilet is a personal thing, not a gender thing.
My husband is the cleanest urinator. His mom taught him well too. Kudos to your mom, and you!
I’d hesitate to use any grit of sand paper on a porcelain toilet. That said, I definitely use glove, dawn and a pumice stick. Available in the cleaning section of most groceries.
The vinegar bag thing has never worked for me and my shower head. CLR did, though.
Vinegar is acidic and Baking Soda is neutral. They basically are useless when mixed together. I’ve never had good results with this combination unless they are mixed with Castile soap. This recipe will leave you in Awe.
Ingredients
1 c. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap OR ¼ c. Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds
3⅓ c. baking soda
1 c. water
¼ c. white vinegar
In a big bowl, combine the baking soda with the Pure-Castile Soap OR the Sal Suds. Mix it with a fork until well blended and no lumps remain. Add in the water and mix thoroughly again. Add in the vinegar and keep stirring until no lumps remain. Pour the solution into an empty quart bottle, using a funnel.
To use this, squirt it over the surface and wipe with a damp microfiber cloth. Rinse with a wet cloth.
(these ingredients are totally safe and non-toxic, kids can use them, too! Hand this bottle over to them and let them scrub away!)
Typically you don’t want to mix vinegar with Castile soap. It will just curdle, unless baking soda is involved.
Reference: Lisa Bonner of Dr. Bonner’s Castile Soap
Baking soda and vinegar makes an excellent natural drain cleaner, used regularly it keeps your drains from getting that “Gray water” build up and smell.
What quantities of each ingredient, please
Click on any of the images for ingredient list and full tutorials.
Bad aim: I use a hair color bottle with a long tip and small opening filled with hot it water and Clorox, justa teaspoon. Before I mop the floor I squirt the area of the screws with the water mix. The long narrow tip makes the squirt very strong removing all the dirt around and in between the screws area. You may have to repeat this process twice the first time.
Buy a urinal or make your men sit to piss
I agree that men should sit to pee. Why do they think it’s not masculine to sit to empty their bladder? They do sit to poop, so what’s the difference. I hate seeing drips of pee on the ledge of the toilet bowl, and most men leave it to the woman to clean it. Now that’s disrespectful and selfish and rude.