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Bathroom Clean-up 101

Cleaning the bathroom need not be a dreaded household chore. The key to easy clean-up is to use the right cleaning products. Look for a multi-purpose bathroom cleaner that works on several surfaces. A concentrate that can be mixed with water to make several bottles of cleaner will save time and money. Plus, you will have fewer products to clutter up your cabinet. Make sure the multi-purpose cleaner also disinfects to kill germs and bacteria. Environmentally conscious consumers can find on the market many cleaners that are biodegradable and phosphate-free.

Surfaces such as fiberglass, ceramic tile, and porcelain can be easily scratched or damaged by abrasive products. Therefore, choose nonabrasive cleaning products and cloths for these surfaces.

Wipe and rinse the bathtub after each use to prevent soap scum and hard water deposits from forming. Spray or spritz the tub with a bath and tile or shower cleaner. Allow a few seconds for the cleaner to penetrate dirt and then rinse. Wipe down the tub walls with a sponge or washcloth kept handy for this purpose. Most bath and tile and shower cleaners also disinfect. For heavily soiled tubs, leave the cleaner on for a few minutes and then rinse. Cleaning the tub after each use will decrease germs and bacteria and eliminate the hard work of scrubbing a heavily soiled tub that hasn't been cleaned for quite a while.

Leave shower doors or curtains open after showering to allow them to air dry. This helps to prevent mildew. If mildew does develop, use a mildew stain remover or a bleach solution (¾ cup bleach to 1 gallon water). Or, choose one of several multi-purpose cleaners on the market that clean, disinfect, and remove mildew. The same applies to ceramic tiles on the walls of the tub or other areas of the bathroom. Mildew can grow on the grout between tiles. Wipe tiles with a mildew remover or bleach solution.

Mirrors and glass shower doors need a nonstreaking cleaner. Spray on cleaner and wipe surfaces with a paper towel. For bathroom fixtures, the same bath and tile cleaner used on the tub will work fine. Simply spray on product, rinse, and wipe with a paper towel. Disinfect bathroom fixtures weekly with a bleach solution or a disinfectant cleaning foam. Lime or hard water mineral deposits caused by leaking or dripping faucets can be removed by products designed for this purpose. Read the product label to make sure the lime remover is safe for the surface - products containing acids, for example, are unsafe to use on fiberglass. To reduce lime deposit build up, have leaky faucets repaired.

The toilet bowl is usually the least favorite bathroom item to be cleaned. However, it is important to clean the bowl inside and outside regularly to kill germs and odors. A multi-purpose product that cleans, disinfects, and deodorizes will cut the time required to clean the toilet bowl. However, if you use a cleaner specifically made for toilet bowls, do not use this product on the outside of the bowl. The harsh chemicals may damage the surface. A multi-purpose cleaner is the better choice. Apply multi-purpose cleaner to the toilet seat and inside of the bowl. Use a long-handled brush to clean inside the bowl and under the rim. Wipe toilet seat and outside of bowl with paper towels. Clean and disinfect the toilet bowl weekly for a cleaner and fresher smelling bathroom.

Tile floors can be cleaned using a multipurpose bath and tile product. Wipe floor with a mop or cloth. Don't forget the bath mats and rugs in the bathroom. These surfaces can harbor dirt and bacteria. Toss bath mats, along with cloths used to clean bathroom surfaces, into the wash on laundry day. Sweep rugs regularly (keep a mini-broom and dustpan in bathroom) and clean with a rug/carpet cleaner as needed. Spray a bit of bath and tile cleaner on the bathroom doorknob and the light fixtures. These surfaces are often neglected come cleaning time, however, germs accumulate on doorknobs and light fixtures as people touch them several times a day. Wipe with a cloth or paper towel. Trash cans and diaper pails also need to be cleaned and disinfected; a multi-use cleaner will work fine for these items.

Keep liquid handsoap and a roll of paper towels on the bathroom sink or counter for hand washing. These products are recommended to cut down on the spread of bacteria from several people using the same bar soap and cloth towel.

As with all cleaning products, it is important think safety first when using them. Read labels to make sure the product is safe for the intended surface. Don't mix cleaning products; products that are safe when used alone may generate noxious fumes when mixed with other cleaners. Again, the multi-purpose cleaner is a good choice as it eliminates the need for several types of cleaners. Store bathroom cleaning products in an area away away from food and inaccessible to children and pets. In addition to child-proof caps on bottles, consumers will find some bathroom cleaners that contain BITREX, a bittering agent that discourages kids and pets from drinking cleaning liquids.

Regular maintenance of your bathroom is not difficult. Spray on cleaners and multi-use products take only minutes to clean and disinfect surfaces. Like personal hygiene, regular housecleaning is essential to good health. With the many easy-to-use cleaners on the market, a clean and fresh smelling bathroom is within your reach.

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Bathroom Cleaning Articles, Stanley Home Health News