I don’t know about you, but it’s difficult for me to keep up with all the little tasks that should be taken care of around the house. Life is busy, and I tend to just get by with the necessities. Before you know it, another month has gone by, and that usually means another month without a deep clean in the bathroom. I know it’s important to keep things sanitized and clean for my family’s safety, so I put together a list of tasks that we all might be missing to clean in the bathroom. It’s simple enough; and if you just add it to your monthly cleaning checklist, you can rest assured your bathrooms will stay germ free. Here’s how to clean your bathroom like a pro.
Sink Drain
Have you ever taken the time to remove the drain stopper? You might have lifted up something that resembles a hairy, gooey monster. Ewww! Because everything goes down the drain—hair, toothpaste, spit, soap—it catches all the residual debris and builds up to an enormous funk. To clean, remove the drain stopper (most have a hook on the end that can be turned and lifted) and soak it in a solution of 10% bleach and 90% water for 20 minutes. After the soak, take a cleaning toothbrush and scrub the rest of the gunk off. Rinse again and put the drain back in place.
Light Bulb Fixtures
Your light bulb fixtures—and even light bulbs themselves—can be the dirtiest items in your bathroom. It’s possible that your fixture has even collected a graveyard of insects that need removal. Depending on your light fixture, you may need to unfasten the side screw to remove the globe. To eradicate the insects, you can use a handheld battery vacuum, or just use a rag to scoop them up. If the fixture needs additional care, you can remove it and give it a soak in the sink with mild soap and water. Lastly, take a soft rag and gently wipe each bulb to remove the dust.
Exhaust Fan
Most bathrooms have an exhaust fan—usually above the toilet. Because the fan removes air up and out of the bathroom through the ceiling cover, it accumulates dust and lint on the grates of the cover. Over time, it can get sticky and prevent the fan from working at its optimal performance and can even be a fire hazard. To easily clean this troublesome area, use a can of canned air and blow out as much of the dust as possible. Use a sponge soaked in a soapy solution to scrub away any sticky residue. If your cover is removable, take the cover off and dust the fan blades and motor. Replace the cover, and your fan should now work like new!
Toothbrush Holder and Soap Dispenser
It’s ironic that the items you rely on most to clean certain parts of your body can be some of the filthiest in your bathroom. Toothbrush holders can accumulate a tremendous amount of gunk and leftover gooey toothpaste within just a few days. They are used frequently and are always put back in place while wet, which can be a breeding ground for germs. Whatever type of holder you use, use a disinfecting cleansing wipe to remove any dried bits and rinse the inside with a hot flow of water.
Brushes and Combs
Depending on the length of your locks and how much product you use, your hairbrushes can get dirty somewhat quickly. If those tools are dirty and gummy, you can be depositing grime back into your hair as soon as you wash it! To clean, use a barber’s comb and remove all the hair by combing through the bristles. The comb should clear away most of the hair. Place the brush in the sink filled with a disinfecting solution and let soak for a few minutes. Rinse away solution, and if there are any spare hairs still remaining, take small pair of scissors to remove. Combs deserve a quick soak and scrub to remove any sticky hair product residue. Now, you can brush and comb your clean hair with clean tools!
