As one of the busiest rooms in the house, it doesn’t take long for the bathroom to get messy and become a hotspot for mould, grime and bacteria to build up. With that in mind, cleaning the bathroom can quickly become a dreaded chore, especially as a quick wipe with an anti-bacterial wipe is unlikely to make much of a difference. If you’ve got the bathroom cleaning blues or if you’re looking for effective cleaning advice, then we’ve got all the tips you need to make cleaning the bathroom a doddle.

Bathroom bad habits

There are a handful of common bathroom habits that actually contribute to creating unnecessary mess. By adopting a few changes into your regular bathroom routine, you can save yourself a lot of cleaning time.

Let the air circulate

Bathrooms and moisture go hand in hand, but so do moisture and most mucky bathroom problems, such as mould and mildew. Keep moisture under control by opening the window, or using the extractor fan when you take a shower and for 15 to 25 minutes afterwards. This allows the steam to dissipate and helps excess moisture to dry up.

If your bathroom does not have a window you will need an extractor fan in order to meet building regulations too, and if you’re interested in a wet room this will be an essential investment.

Keep a lid on it

We all know that age-old argument about putting the toilet seat down, but what about the lid? Closing the lid every time you flush is often completely forgotten about. This is a common bad habit and changing it can be key to keeping your bathroom both clean and hygienic.

Leaving the toilet lid open when you flush can allow bacteria and tiny water particles to spray across the room. Simply flip the lid down when you flush, and you’ll keep the bacteria contained, and the rest of the bathroom a much more hygienic space.

Best brush practice

Toothbrushes can create a lot of mess, leaving trails of toothpaste on the basin, vanity unit and other surfaces. Storing tooth brushes in an upright position is more hygienic rather than lying them flat on surfaces.

A toothbrush holder or ceramic cup is ideal. If you store your toothbrushes in a glass or cup, be sure to rinse it with hot soapy water once a week, or blitz it in the dishwasher.

Hidden grime spots

Perhaps one of the reasons that cleaning the bathroom is one of the most dreaded household chores is because there are so many different areas that need attention. However, giving the tub, basin, shower and loo regular wipe-downs with hot soapy water can go a long way to keeping the bathroom clean, so it’s well worth focusing your attention on these often overlooked germ-traps during the weekly clean.

The right fixtures

Some bathroom products are made with ease of cleaning in mind, so look out for ones that will make your task simpler. Wall hung toilets, creamic wash basins and bidets give you better access to all those tricky-to-reach spots, meaning you can keep them squeaky clean without too much effort. Back to wall toilets are great for eliminating potential dirt traps. Choosing your fixtures wisely can help you keep your bathroom as spotless as possible.

Base of the toilet

The more obvious parts of the toilet are the seat and the bowl which should get a good regular clean. However, the pedestal and area around the base of the toilet are also likely to harbour bacteria, so it’s well worth blitzing these with an anti-bacterial cleanser once a week. The tank (cistern) if it’s on display, should also be wiped down, as well as the flush handle which needs disinfecting too!

Surfaces

From windowsills to units and shelves, all surfaces can pick up grime and bacteria. A swift wipe-down with a spray or anti-bacterial cleaner will keep the germs away.

Shower curtain

Mildew and mould can be a nightmare to remove from shower curtains and liners. A warm wash will rinse it clean for plastic and fabric curtains, as long as they’re machine washable. For fabric curtains simply follow the instructions on the care label, whereas plastic curtains or liners can be washed on a high temperature with your usual detergent.

As mildew is prone to staining, curtains can still appear grubby even after washing. As the old saying goes, prevention is better than the cure, so regularly running it through the washing machine will rinse away soap scum and other grime, preventing a mildew build-up.

The right scrubs and sprays

There are lots of cleansers and cleaners available on the market, but not all cleansers are right for every material in your bathroom. Most multi-surface cleaners are fine for cleaning shelves, surfaces, handles and any other nooks and crannies in and around the bathroom. Additionally, it’s a common misconception that one type of cleanser is fine for use all over the bathroom. Different areas of the bathroom will require different products.

Tub

For cleaning your tub, ensure that the cleanser you’re using isn’t abrasive, as this can cause damage to the material. Generally speaking, the best thing to use for cleaning your bath is hot soapy water and a soft sponge.

Mirrors

Use glass cleaner on mirrors, windows, and other reflective surfaces to give them back their shine. Multi-surface sprays and other cleaners will most likely smear across the surface – usually making the glass appear dirtier than it was originally!

Tip: To keep your mirror in perfect condition, apply your glass cleaner to the cloth rather than directly to the glass, as this can damage the edge sealant.

Tiles and grout

Because tiles are made from different materials, not all cleansers are appropriate for use. It is therefore important to check what type of cleanser will be most effective on your tiles. Natural stone, such as travertine, can be quite porous and is vulnerable to marks or damage by abrasive cleaners.

Specially formulated grout cleaners are ideal for getting the grime out of your tile grout. Alternatively, a steam cleaner can be a chemical-free option for removing dirt.

Cleaning your bathroom doesn’t need to be a big job. In fact, doing so little and often is more likely to prevent dirt from building up, resulting in an epic deep clean. What’s more, regular mini-cleans ensure the space stays hygienic and germ free too! Final comment to add: Always check the label on the cleaners and maintenance instructions supplied with your products. More related modern sanitary ware for your needs.