Submitted by Cleaning Expert Gwen Bailey
Nobody enjoys cleaning during their free time. It is a well-known fact. However, some parts of the household cannot be neglected, and whether you like it or not, you must make sure they are in a good condition. Such important place is the bathroom. Each member of the family, plus guests, use it on a daily basis (even more than once a day) and one can only imagine what will become of it if it is not taken good care of. It is the place which people ‘visit’ to brush their teeth, take a shower, shave, or simply put – to maintain a clean look. This is the reason why you must never let your bathroom turn sordid. And you need not forget that a lot of people judge their hosts upon the level of cleanliness of their bathroom. For example, what would you think of the person’s cleaning habits if his bathroom is kept dirty? What follows are some easy steps on maintaining a clean bathroom. It is true that in this fast paced life people barely have time for themselves, let alone for cleaning, but keeping the bathroom neat is mandatory!
1. The first thing you need to do is to take out of the bathroom anything that can be removed, namely, things that do not belong there, but also ordinary toiletries that will just stand in the way. Since detergents, high on toxic materials, will be used, you would not want them touching the surface of objects which will be used on your body afterward. You can even remove the shower curtains, which will make the cleaning even easier.
2. Make a list of all the things you will need and be sure that you have them all within reach when the cleaning starts. Otherwise, you will have to go in and out of the bathroom quite a lot and this will slow you down. A list makes everything run smoother and faster. Make sure to prepare the basics – mops, rubber gloves, scrubbers and various detergents.
3. The first object in your list in terms of cleaning needs to be the bathtub/shower area. For the purpose, use a heavy duty spray cleaning agent. If the surfaces are too dirty, let the detergent sit for a while. Never forget to clean the bathtub/shower area of all the hairs and even consider cleaning the drain for it might be clogged. Afterward, clean with a scrubber and rinse. And make sure not to leave the walls behind. The gaps between the tiles tend to trap a lot of dirt, which stays there if not removed manually. Be prepared for serious scrubbing!
4. Next on the list are the counter tops and mirrors. For the mirrors, as well as for all other glassy surfaces, you can consider preparing an effective homemade cleaning agent. Two tablespoons of vinegar mixed with a liter of water. Pour it in a spray bottle and use as detergent. Also, instead of rags, which only smear the area, try using newspaper. In case the smell of vinegar doesn’t appeal to you, you can substitute it with lemon juice. The sink and counters can be cleaned with the same product you used for the bath tub. And do not forget the sink’s faucets. For the hard-to-reach parts try using cotton swabs or a toothbrush.
5. The cabinets and drawers get dirty too. But they can be cleaned quite easily, using only warm soapy water.
6. Finally, the dirtiest area of them all – the toilet bowl. Pay extra attention to it for it is the biggest 
source of germs. It is highly recommended to use the strongest cleaner possible, preferably one with bleach in it. Pour it into the basin of the toilet and don’t forget the area behind/under the rim. Let it sit for at least half an hour, or even more. Clean the lid, the seat, as well as under and behind it. For those tricky areas you can use a toothbrush. As for the basin, where you poured the cleaner, scrub with the toilet brush. When you are done doing so, flush it all down.
7. Mop the floor on your way out so that you give the place an overall neat look. It’s a smart idea to leave the door and windows of the bathroom open for a while in order to let the detergent fumes out.
Perform this cleaning procedure at least twice a month and you will ensure your household the clean bathroom you deserve.