Tubs and Toilet Tuesdays. I try to tidy and clean the bathrooms on Tuesdays.

Only because Tuesday starts with the “T” sound and I’m a sucker for consonance repetition.

So this one is aimed at those of you who weren’t really taught how to properly clean a bathroom or are overwhelmed at the thought. Fear not, we’ll save the toilet for last 😉

1. Step uno! Remove all the bottles and miscellaneous items from your bath/shower and sink. Find a spray that works for you and give a quick spray to your ceramics: sink, tiles (not the floor), bathtub, and carry on to spray the faucets, drains, and other metal bits in and around the tub and sink.
2. Take a toilet bowl cleaner if you have one, and pour it into the toilet. If you have a special toilet cleaner, they are angled in such a way that you can pour from right underneath the lip of the inner toilet bowl.
3. After the spray from step one has had a few minutes to soak in, take a scrubby brush, sponge, or cloth, and it’s time to rub off the soap scum. Start at the top of your shower, get the shower head, the base of the shower head (so much grime and slime builds up between the base and the wall/tile/what-have-you), wash all down the wall, then the sides of the bathtub and the tub itself. This is the hardest part and if you’re not breaking a sweat, you ain’t doing it well enough!
4. Rinse. You have to rinse off the walls and the tub to ensure you’ve cleaned all of the spray off (no one wants to bath in that stuff!) Use a removable shower head if you have one, or a cup.
5. Clean that sink. Use the same method as above. Pay special attention to around the faucet as this is where a lot of scum and slime will build up. Rinse.
6. If you’re feeling so inclined, now is a good time to take some lemon juice or polishing solution and shine your faucets. I’m not fancy enough for this.
7. Let’s tackle the toilet. Dust and wash the top of the toilet tank, the handle, then clean the lid and the seat. Here’s where the dirty starts. Take your toilet cleaning brush and scrub the toilet bowl, itself, on the inside. Try to get under the toilet bowl lip as scum likes to hide there and makes your toilet grow scum at a quicker pace.
8. Flush your toilet with your scrubber still in it to give it a quick rinse.
9. I like to use toilet paper for cleaning the top rim of the toilet bowl. Wipe and toss it in the bowl. Easy peasy.
10. Now, if you live with boys, here’s the fun part! Use more toilet paper to clean up the bulk of pee that finds its way to the backside of the toilet behind the seat, the sides; the area where the toilet meets the floor, and the nooks and crannies that are around where the connecting bolts are (these are usually covered by a plastic cap). Just get the noticeable pee off.
11. Take a cloth and wash the same areas with your preferred cleaning solution that does does not contain bleach. No bleach around urine — this is dangerous to do, so make sure you are selecting the right cleaning solution.
12. Put that cloth directly into your empty washing machine and wash your poor hands.
13. Empty your bathroom trash can, sweep away any spider webs on the ceiling, sweep the floor, and finally, mop that floor.

Spring Cleaning Combo Breaker

heh heh heh There’s more!

1. Remove your shower curtain and stuff it into your bathtub. Take blue dawn dish soap and vinegar; pour some into the tub (1/4 cup each) and fill the bathtub with hot water until you can submerge your shower curtain in the solution. Take of your socks and pretend you’re making wine. Drink some wine while you’re at it if you feel so inclined. Swish the curtain around and then let it soak. Swish it around with your feet (or hands) every so often.
2. Take your bathroom matts and throw them in the washing machine if they are washing machine-safe. If not, take a scrubby brush or a cloth and wash the matts with either laundry soap or blue dawn dish soap, heavily diluted. Scrub away. Top and bottom of those matts. If the sun is out, place the matt(s) in the sun and let the sun’s rays work its magic while you dry the matts.
3. When the matts are dry (try to avoid the dryer, air drying in the sun is the best way to kill off extra bacteria while not destroying the rubber bits), take a clean, dry cloth, and rub it in a circular motion to bring back the softness of the matt(s) and remove any crispiness.
4.  If you have lighting fixtures in your bathroom that have removable covers, take off the covers now and give them a good wash. Wash them with a dry cloth first, over a garbage can, in order to remove dead bugs and dust. Then wash them in your kitchen sink or wherever to give it a really good clean. Dry fully before replacing.
5. Use a slightly damp cloth to dust all areas that have been neglected. Shelves, counters, light bulbs and stationary light fixtures, etc.
6. Sort through the items in your drawers and shelves. Throw out anything you haven’t used in a year. Prepare yourself for emergency pampering and use all those spa products later today. You’re saving them for a time that might never come, so go ahead and spoil yourself now ;D Check expiration dates while you’re at it and toss out anything that is expired.
7. Wash said drawers with a damp cloth.
8. Have you changed your tooth brush lately? Here’s your reminder. Once a season, minimum!
9. Swish and rub your shower curtain again, then rinse it in the bathtub. I use the shower head to rinse while it’s still in the tub. Hang to dry on your shower or outside.
10. Sweep and mop once more.

Tip: Purchase a spray bottle from a dollar or discount store. Fill it 1/2 of the way full with water, 3/4 full with vinegar, the rest of the way full of rubbing alcohol–leaving a little bit at the top to add: a generous squirt of dish soap (blue Dawn is amazing), and a few drops of tea tree oil. If you wish, you can add other essential oils in order to add a nice smell. Because lord knows tea tree oil packs a punch! With this spray, spritz your shower curtain, shower tiles, and bathtub once daily and/or immediately after each use. This will help prevent the build-up of that stubborn soap scum.