7 Days to a Clean Bathroom (and One that Stays that Way!)
This is the first of what I hope to be many posts concerning making things easier and more pleasant for you in caring for your home and running your household. My goal is to help you create simple habits that translate into a more orderly and easier-to-run home, be it a city apartment or a suburban house. The emphasis will be on time- and money-saving strategies, with the ultimate goal that you return every day to a home of peace and contentment.
Of course, no goal is met overnight. That's why I will break things down to manageable tasks (most of which you will be able to accomplish easily in 15- to 30-minute time brackets). I promise, too, that every project will allow you to revel in a sense of accomplishment, knowing that minute-by-minute, day-by-day you are gaining more control of your home and ultimately your life.
Think about it: Your home is where you wake every day, and come home every evening -- let's make it the refuge you deserve.
The first project is a big one -- the bathroom. But don't fret -- we're going to take 7 days to clean it! At the end of just one week, we will have a super clean, and super manageable bath from which to start or end each day. From then on, our new habits will ensure we never again face a bathroom that could be designated a HazMat zone.
Each day we are going to focus on one or two areas of the bath, with most of the projects never taking more than 30 minutes. You can do this!
I'll start with an overview, and then we'll just get to it. So without further adieu, I bring you:
7 Days to a Clean Bathroom (and One that Stays that Way!)
I am amazed at the baths people live with every day -- some are messy, some are unappealing, while others are downright filthy. This always surprises me, in that the primary reason for a bath is to clean yourself. How can anyone do this when you are afraid to touch the surfaces?
The cleaning strategies I recommend come from research and experience. For years, I did the move-out cleaning of apartments in my parents' buildings. Let me tell you, I have seen dirt! I also had a house-cleaning business in my late 20s, when speed was the word. Over the years, I've learned strategies to make the upkeep of my own bathrooms manageable, while I pursued a career as a real estate agent. That job also required that I devise methods to teach clients so their baths were always sparkling when a potential buyer stopped by.
The first step, of course, is cleaning products. The amount of money that is spent on marketing products to the consumer is incredible to me, because it really takes just a few to result in a sparkling bath. These are:
• A good quality glass cleaner (Windex)
• A good quality cleanser (Comet or Ajax)
• A good quality all-purpose cleaner (Pine Sol)
• A good quality hard water deposit remover (Shower Power or Scrub Free)
• A good quality roll of paper towels (Bounty)
• A sponge with a scrubber side
• A high quality squeegee (Etore brand, available in home project stores)
• A round, European-style toilet brush
• A container or drawer for all the above -- and located in the bathroom
This week, plan on purchasing all the above. This is not the place to save pennies by purchasing store brands. Quality counts, and most of these items will last you a couple months. Most importantly, you must have all these items in the bath at all times. If this means one product under the kitchen sink, and an identical one in the bath -- so be it. This is an imperative part of the strategy for a long-term clean bath. I have a drawer with all my items in it, but perhaps you have room under the vanity (then put all in a plastic carrying tote). If you have none of these options, purchase an attractive basket or box with a top about the size of a small trash can to hide all your cleaning products. And, don't leave them visible, we want the bath to look pretty -- we don't want to disclose how it got that way. It's OK to leave the squeegee in the shower, though.
(A final side note: If your bath falls in the "filthy" category with long-term, accumulated dirt, soap scum, etc., purchase some all-purpose, degreaser at the home project store. Products from the grocery store just won't work. You need mega-strength. Also, if the hard water spots in your bath make everything look like a cloudy day in San Francisco, you will also need a commercial strength deposit remover, such as CLR or Lime Away.)
"But I don't have all the items -- guess I will need to put this off." Sorry, no. For most of the 7-day plan, you can jump to another step if you don't have the needed product (or even if you don't feel like doing that today).
So, let's get to the 7-day plan! Our goal is to get the bath on a superior clean/neatness field, so that you will then be able to maintain the level of cleanliness with minimal effort from then on. You pick and choose which task you are going to do today. And I promise, you will be blown away with the bathroom you will be able to enjoy in one short week. Oh, and a rule: You are allowed to do only one specified project in one day. There is no extra credit for working faster, and it's not allowed. I want you to enjoy the process and also every day. Which one are you going to do today?
Mirror, Medicine Cabinet, Light Fixture and Light Switches
This is a low-energy, simple task day. Today we are doing some sparkle-cleaning, as I call it, and some clearing. You will be surprised at the junk you have in your medicine cabinet that you no longer need. Today is a simple project that nets long-term results -- a clean medicine cabinet and gleaming light fixtures.
• Spray mirror with Windex and wipe. Dry top inch, and using squeegee, dry from top to bottom
• Remove light fixture cover and wash in soapy water in kitchen. Dry. Wipe bulbs with damp paper towel. Replace all.
• Wipe down all light switches and outlets with glass cleaner.
• Clear medicine cabinet of all expired medicines, anything no longer needed, empty or near empty containers, etc.
• Wash medicine cabinet shelves in kitchen, or spray and wipe with glass cleaner.
Under Vanity Cleaning/Clearing Day
Today will shock you. I know I was. How long has it been since you pulled everything out from underneath your vanity? You will be amazed at the unused/unneeded/expired items you have here that are taking up valuable space! Be ruthless! If you have not used it in the past 6 months, throw it out! Ask yourself: If I were moving, would I pack this to take with me? If not, throw it out! As a personal example, for two different moves, I packed a half-gallon container of Epsom Salts. When packing for the third move, it finally hit me that I had not used these in 9 years! In the trash they went. If I need some in the future, I'll just buy more. I'll say it again: No excuses. Be ruthless.
• Take all items out from underneath vanity. Toss the unneeded. Put others in a plastic carry-all tote to keep them manageable. Wipe out cabinet with glass cleaner and paper towels, and replace items.
• Clean with glass cleaner or wax (for wood) outside of vanity, removing dust and hairspray etc..
Vanity Cleaning/Clearing Day
Depending on how you live, this could be an easy 15-minute day, or one taking 30 minutes. It underscores the concept we are embracing: Less Clutter=Less Cleaning. The goal is to clear the vanity so that you would only need to move 3-5 items to clean the entire vanity surface. Here are some strategies: If you have a lot of makeup, etc. items, place all in a basket or box (a covered one imparts an even neater appearance). For men, pull out that travel bag, and place all needed items in there. You can then hang on a door for use, or put under the vanity and pull out when needed in the morning. Vanities usually have some decorative items too -- remember, big items are easier to move. A lot of little stuff turns into a lot of little stuff to move. Finally, in addition to the vanity top, we are clearing out any drawers that remain in the vanity.
• Clear and compartmentalize all items stored on vanity.
• Scrub sink with cleanser
• Quickly shine faucet with glass cleaner (FYI: A new faucet does wonders for a bath, even if you're in a rental. Think about it.)
• Clean vanity counter with glass cleaner
• Clear remaining vanity drawers, as you did under the vanity. Be ruthless - if you have not used it in 6 months, throw it out. Wipe out drawers with glass cleaner.
Toilet Cleaning and Surrounding Area
The day most people dread. A super cleaning now will equal to much simpler for at least a month or two. There are two secrets to cleaning a toilet -- first the scrub, and then the wipe down. Using cleanser and the Pine Sol, scrub the bowl with the round European brush. (It's best if you just buy one with a holder that you can leave right next to it from now on). Now here is the secret, you work backwards and then forwards on a toilet. Begin spraying down the rim, then the underside of the seat, then seat, then tank and then top. Then wipe forwards: top, tank, seat, under seat and rim. Finish up by cleaning the area closest to the floor and then the surrounding floor area. Don't fret - it's always dusty and gross down here. After this cleaning, you will be able to swish, wipe and toss for months.
• Scrub bowl of toilet with cleanser and Pine Sol. Flush and run brush under flushing water to clean.
• Wipe down exterior of toilet with glass cleaner
• Clean base and floor around toilet with glass cleaner.
• Wipe down toilet paper holder with clean paper towel
• Toss old magazines and reading material near toilet (Look at finding a basket or holder. I use a hat box for mine and TP)
Shower
I am splitting the shower and tub into two. Some have both. Most have one or the other. Either way, it cuts this physical intensive chore into two. Due to variations (doors vs. shower curtain for instance), you will need to customize this for your own needs. Further, some are worse than others and require extra work -- use your discretion. No getting around it -- this is easiest by stripping down and spraying away. Keep a window open or fan on. Bring a plastic mixing bowl in with you (this should go in your cleaning drawer/basket) to rinse off all surfaces.
• Spray walls with shower cleaner or heavy duty water deposit remover, whichever fits your situation. Let soak for 5-10 minutes.
• Spray inside shower doors with shower cleaner or heavy duty water deposit remover, whichever fits your situation. Let soak 5-10 minutes.
• Spray faucets and showerhead with shower cleaner or heavy duty water deposit remover, whichever fits your situation. Let soak for 5-10 minutes.
• Scrub from top to bottom, doing a final scrub with all the cleaner that dripped onto the floor. Rinse with mixing bowl of water from top to bottom.
• Finish by Windexing outside of shower doors. If you have mold, spray now with a bleach and water mixture.
• If you have a shower curtain, run through washer or just purchase a new liner if yours is so covered with soap scum. Sometimes it's just easier that way. By the way, we soak to allow the cleaners to give them time to work without you scrubbing.
• Final step is to shine the faucet fixtures.
Bathtub
If you have an all-in-one shower/tub, you're almost done if you followed the shower instructions. If you have a separate one, do the walls one day, and then the tub. If the tub is nothing less than filthy, before you go to bed, pour straight degreaser into tub, fill with hot water to the dirty line and let soak overnight, scrubbing the next day. (You can also use this with a rust-stained toilet, etc with Lime Away.) If this doesn't work, then do what I did in apartments and use undiluted degreaser and scrub. It will clean anything. If not that bad, pour a coating of Pine Sol, and then a smattering of cleanser. (Most people use far too much cleanser, and then it takes forever to wash off. A little goes a long way.) Scrub and then rinse with the plastic mixing bowl.
• Throw out any and all empty shampoo bottles, etc. (An over-the-showerhead organizer is great, because it keeps these items out of your way when you clean the tub in the future. Spend the $9 and get one.)
• Scrub tub using appropriate method
• Spray faucets with shower cleaner, rinse and shine. If gunk still around faucet, scrub with an old toothbrush. (By the way, did you know that you can find replacement plastic handles, etc at the home project store. It's amazing how this small change will make the bath look so much newer.)
• Use glass cleaner to wipe down exterior of tub.
Floor
Often this area of the bath is as bad as the tub (and it doesn't get all the rinsing). I've found the fastest way is to vacuum first and then clean. In this case, nothing beats getting on your hands and knees -- that's why I set aside a day just for it. Use shower cleaner if the floor is coated with hairspray, or glass cleaner for general dust and dirt. Clean a section at a time. Regarding rugs, I don't see the need for them, except when you step out of the tub. The ones that go around toilets are plain germ magnets, in my opinion
• Vacuum floor
• Clean floor section by section with shower cleaner or glass cleaner, and paper towels
• Launder rugs
The Aftermath and Future
You're all done! Does it look great? Do you feel better every time you "use the facilities?" Do you have more storage? Is it even easier to clean? I bet all are true. And the best news is that you will NEVER "clean the bathroom" again! Instead, one morning you will take a shower, and scrub the tub using the cleanser, sponge and plastic rinse bowl that is conveniently in the bath. Another morning, you can can grab a paper towel and glass cleaner, and wipe down the vanity and sink (a lot easier without all that clutter). Another day, spray the toilet with glass cleaner, wipe with a paper towel, and flush. By doing just 5 minutes work every couple of days, you will never have to clean the bath again.
Congratulations -- instead of being degrees of dirty, your bath will now be perpetually clean!