Sparkling Clean in Fifteen! |
How to clean a bathroom in 15 minutes
I used to absolutely loath cleaning my bathrooms. It was so much work (or so I thought) that I would procrastinate until my husband would threaten to call the health department. One day a friend of mine got me into this routine that has helped me maintain my sanity by getting this dirty job done quickly. She introduced me to the 15 Minute Bathroom Cleaning Routine and my life has never been the same. I was finally free from the drudgery of mildew and soap scum buildup. No more tooth paste petrified on my faucets. Gone was the black ring around the tub that looked like a well placed pinstripe. I was finally free to let the door stay open when company came over. Wow! My family didn't even recognize the room. They were stunned. I can honestly say that this room is now my pride and joy. My friends marvel at my cleaning prowess. My bathroom was so bad that it took a little extra effort the first time I used the routine, but after the initial deep cleaning, it was a breeze. You too can overcome the bathroom blues by following these simple and effective twelve steps.1. Remove the knick knacks and place them in the hallway.
2. Remove the throw rugs and shake them out. Put them in the laundry to be cleaned if needed.
3. Sweep or vacuum the floor.
4. Spray the counter top and let your cleaner do the work
5. Spray the mirror and wipe it down.
6. Spray the toilet with cleaner inside and out. Let the cleaner sit.
7. Go back to the counter top. Scrub and wipe it down.
8. Spray the bath tub and shower down (you may not need to do this every week if your bath tub doesn't get that dirty).
9. Scrub the inside of the toilet with a brush. Flush the toilet to rinse the bowl. Wipe down the outside. Don't forget the place behind the seat and the outside of the toilet bowl and base.
10. Scrub the tub down and rinse. Hint: if you want to clean the shower curtain you can wash it by itself in the washing machine in cold water on the delicate cycle. Remove it promptly and hang it back up to drip dry. Never put it in the dryer.
11. If you have linoleum or tile, mop the floor. If the room is small, you can spray your cleaner directly onto the floor and wipe it up with a sponge or cleaning cloth. Let dry for ten to fifteen minutes.
12. Put back the rugs and knick knacks. Check your toilet paper supply. Put out fresh towels.
The whole process should take fifteen minutes, not counting the time to let the floor dry. It will take even less time if you don't have to clean the tub and shower. I only clean ours once a month because it doesn't get that dirty. There are two keys to all of this: 1) Let the cleaner sit long enough to loosen up the dirt and disinfect the surface. 2) Clean the bathroom every week. Pick a day that is your bathroom cleaning day and just do it. When you keep up on your cleaning it doesn't become such an insurmountable project.
Cleaning supplies.
1) Utility caddy to carry your supplies. The dollar store usually has these.
2) Rubber cleaning gloves.
3) Scrubber and sponge combination designed for cleaning the bathroom.
4) Window cleaner
5) All-purpose cleaner
6) An old toothbrush to get at those hard to reach areas.
7) One roll of paper towels.
8) Pumice stone for hard water build up in the toilet bowl.
9) Toilet brush (unless you keep one in each bathroom like I do).
That's it. Happy cleaning.
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Laura | July 28, 2008 at 2:34 pm - §
Sounds good ... I'll try it. What is the 2 minute touch up -daily routine?
Josie | September 22, 2008 at 12:53 pm - §
Good bathroom regime . I have a plastic (jacuzzi) that has lost its shine. Is there anything that I can do to get the shine back. Someone told me to use car polish??
Lynn | October 20, 2008 at 8:29 am - §
I always seem to have a ring around the basin in the toilet. What is the best way to remove it?
Tara | October 19, 2009 at 1:25 pm - §
I like to wipe down the mirror, countertops and fixtures after a shower with a semi-clean towel in between major scrubdowns. The towel is going in the wash anyway, and the steam gets rid of most fingerprints, toothpaste marks, etc.
Alana | February 8, 2010 at 10:35 am - §
A friend of mine waxes her tiles! Looks awesome!
Kim | March 15, 2010 at 3:29 pm - §
I have a daily routine in my bathroom that starts when I get up in the morning, before I step in the shower.
Kim | April 21, 2010 at 7:28 am - §
A few other tips that I have learned along the way: After cleaning your glass shower doors you can go over it one more time with a windshielf washer fluid that repells rain. Works great to slow down the build-up. Adding white vinigar to your toilet once a week will also help to reduce the grime you see there. And if you don't want your mirrors to fog up (which can lead to water spots - or streaks from people incorrectly wiping them down) rub in some shaving cream every couple of weeks. Viola!
Lisa | December 20, 2010 at 10:36 am - §
BAKING SODA!!!! This is the best cleaner. I had some stains around my bathroom faucets and scrubbed as hard as I could with bathroom cleaners and they wouldn't come off. I used Baking Soda and they came right off and look awesome! My mom also had black scratches on her bathtub and tried everything but wouldn't come clean. I told her about the baking soda so she tried it and couldn't believe it actually worked. She had been planning on getting a new tub but after I told her about the baking soda it looked like new. She was happy and it only costs a couple dollars! Just thought I would share if anyone else has problems!
Shirleyann | January 5, 2011 at 9:33 am - §
I always have a spray bottle of 1/3 white vinegar 2/3rds water and spray the toilet, inside and out, and the floor once a day. I use the toilet paper to wipe and flush it. Keeps it fresh and always clean. I use the mixture for the tub, sink and counter top as well. The mixture keeps mold and mildew away. Baking soda and this mixture is great with an old tooth brush helps to keep the calcium deposits from building up around the tub and sink faucets. Best of all it is environmentally friendly and doesn't affect allergy sensitive people.
Lil | March 7, 2011 at 8:05 am - §
Great tips! Hi Shirleyann! Sorry I'm new to all this :D For the 1/3rd vinegar and 2/3rds water, when you mix baking soda, do you add it right into the bottle and how much? And how long does the mixture stay? (That is, it doesn't start to go bad/stale after a while if not used?) Thanks!
Nancy Wieler | January 2, 2012 at 3:17 pm - §
I have an easier routine than that....during my daily shower...nearing the end, I put Vim (or whatever cleaner you like. I scrub as I finished my shower or bath...with the same cloth, I throw it into the sink. I dry off, do hair, make up dress...then use the cloth and detergent and clean the sink and back of toilet. Using same cloth, I wash floor, then put the cleaner in the toilet...before actually and use your scrubber. Take cloth, wipe off toilet, using towel, dry off...take everything to laundry...this is every day....voila, clean always