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Cleaning Your Bathroom: Part III – Sinks and Floors and Fresheners, Oh My!

A good thing to remember about keeping a clean bathroom is that perfection is not an option. Take a deep breath, let it out, and read that again: perfection is not an option. The only way to have a constant, completely spotless bathroom is to keep the door locked from the inside. We don’t want to make it so that we can eat off the floor or toilet seat, because these are probably not things you’ll intend to do from day-to-day. What we do want is to make it so that our bathroom is three things: usable, presentable, and free of germs. The main reason I say this is because I want to emphasize the fact that keeping a clean bathroom is not as difficult as many people think. That having been said, let’s move on to the last leg of our quest for restroom cleanliness.

The bathroom sink is a breath of fresh air for many, because cleaning a well-kept sink is a cinch. An antibacterial cleanser will cover most, if not all, of your cleaning duties here. Be sure to use a soft sponge on porcelain, or you might be faced with scratches that will provide a haven for germs. Just like in the bathtub, lemon juice will get rust rings out of the sink’s surface. Apply soap to your scrub brush – or an old toothbrush if you’re feeling ironic – to remove toothpaste gunk. This should also remove most soap scum, but if you used a soap scum remover for the shower, you should use it for the sink as well. In fact, most of the cleaners used for your bath and shower can be used for your sink, so unless one is steel and the other is porcelain, you can save money and cabinet space by using only one type of cleaner for both.

As we finish the sink, we should also tackle some of the areas around it. If you don't have a proper cleaner, your sink and bath faucets can be cleaned with powder laundry detergent; one half cup mixed with a few drops of warm water applied with a clean cloth and rinsed with water will make a huge difference. If your drains work slower than usual, liquid drain cleaner will cut through most buildup within the pipes, and drain strips will pull up the more stubborn blockage. Any mirrors in your bathroom should be sprayed with a streak-free glass cleaner and wiped gently with a soft cloth. Towels have a tendency to leave lint, so be sure to dry the mirror completely to reduce the chances of that, or avoid it completely by using newspaper to wipe your mirror.

For safety’s sake, the last step in cleaning your bathroom should be the floor. Before anything else, sweep the entire floor to get rid of dust and loose dirt. Move any supplies you have off the floor, preferably put away in the bathroom or put outside. Mix water with your cleaning solution of choice and fill the bucket no more than halfway. Although some people prefer to dump the solution and mop it that way, I do not suggest it at all. It’s dangerous, wasteful, and more trouble than it’s worth. When dipping the mop, be sure to wring out most of the water so that you don’t do more work than is necessary. Remember to mop the corners of the room and on all sides of the toilet and sink. If you’re sure that nobody will be using the bathroom for a while, you can let it air dry with any windows open. If not, you can use a dry sponge mop, or a spare towel, to go over the floor a second time and reduce the chance of any accidents. If absolutely necessary, put down a rubber-bottomed mat, but if it’s not in immediate use be sure to keep it off the wet floor to avoid mold buildup.

Now that your bathroom is clean, you’re free to enjoy your time, but be sure to clean it regularly to reduce any of the problems mentioned earlier; germs are not only detrimental to health, but they can also unnecessarily extend the time needed to finish this important project. If you use air fresheners, be sure to take into consideration any allergies that your family members and visiting friends may have so that nobody gets sick. Also, I strongly suggest against plug-in fresheners that have night lights, since they can be a serious fire hazard. Instead, I recommend air freshening sprays, since you can use as much or as little as you like. With a little effort, even a closet-sized bathroom can be a pleasant relief to the entire house.

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