How to manage your spring cleaning – spring cleaning the bathroom

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In our spring cleaning series, we are addressing the best way to spring clean and organize the most common rooms in your home to make cleaning them: manageable, easier, and less time consuming on yourself and your loved ones. This post contains  an affiliate banner and link. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this banner or link (at absolutely no extra cost for you).

Hopefully, you started spring cleaning your home and have already spring cleaned your bedroom.  Maybe you even got the family to help. Now we will focus on spring cleaning the bathroom. We go there to clean our bodies, and yet it is one of the dirtiest rooms in the house. There are things that you don’t realize or want to think about like germs (bacteria and viruses), toilet plume, or even mildew or mold. Your regular weekly cleaning may be missing some of these things, so spring cleaning will help you address them and get rid of them for the year to come.

In this post, we will layout the best, most effective, efficient way for spring cleaning the bathroom and set up a year-long routine for thoroughly cleaning your home.

Spring Cleaning Vs. Deep Cleaning

In a previous post, we mentioned deep cleaning. Spring cleaning goes beyond deep cleaning because it involves organizing and preparing your home for the rest of the year. It is also for the purpose of getting rid of any dust, allergens, and even mold that has been trapped in the home during the winter months.

Spring cleaning the bathroom

The problem with spring cleaning the bathroom (or cleaning it in general) is that it is time-consuming and overwhelming.

In a lot of homes, the bathroom is a crammed, compacted room that is used by multiple people, daily for a variety of reasons that all seem to revolve around water. So this type of moist environment is a breeding ground for mildew and mold that can be harmful to you and your family’s health. Since the bathroom also contains a lot of invisible germs, there are some areas you will need to not only clean but take the extra step of disinfecting to kill these germs.

So you need to start with a plan. Like anything in life, start with a plan and don’t deviate from it unless you have to. The key to getting spring cleaning done the quickest, most efficient way possible is to not get distracted by shiny objects, aka other stuff in the bathroom, and stick to the plan.

Here’s the plan:

Start with the top and clean your way down. For anything, you clean, start from the top and clean down that way, you are cleaning up everything that falls below as you keep going down. Spring clean your bathroom in the order below.

Start the washer

Throw any washcloths, towels, dirty clothes, rugs, and the shower curtain into the washer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and start the washer. If you have washable window coverings, throw them in the washing machine as well (follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing them).

Now open the window and get some fresh air into the room.

Ceiling

Wipe the ceiling with a microfiber cloth or duster to remove cobwebs and dirt. If you find any mold on the ceiling, remove it using vinegar.

Ventilation (exhaust) fans: Ventilation fans can accumulate dust and dirt over time, which can cause them not to function properly. They are one of the best ways to help prevent mold and mildew. Without them, moisture has nowhere to go. So you get the idea of why cleaning them is so important but when was the last time you cleaned yours?

If it’s been a while, follow this step by step guide to properly clean your ventilation fan this Spring.

Walls

Run a microfiber duster or a microfiber cloth down the walls and towel racks starting from the ceiling. If you find any mold on the walls, remove it using vinegar.

If you have any shelves in your bathroom, remove everything on top of them. Wipe off the wall behind the shelves and the shelves themselves using a microfiber cloth.

Windows

While your drapes or curtains are still washing, the next area to spring clean in the bathroom would be the windows. If you don’t have drapes or curtains and instead you have blinds or shades, check out this guide to cleaning them.

Starting at the top part of the window, wipe down the window trim, and all parts inside the window and window frame, including the screen (without taking the screen out) with a dry microfiber cloth. If you can fold the window in to get access to the window facing outside, wipe everything down on the outside of the window as well. Whatever dirt, dust, leaves, dead insects, or spider webs that fall to the bottom of inside the window frame, vacuum up.

Now fill a bucket with warm water and put a few drops of natural or plant-based dish soap or a drop of Miracle II soap (affiliate link) in it. Dip the dry microfiber cloth into the bucket, only partially wetting it and go over the whole window and window frame again. Use the dry part of the microfiber cloth or paper towel to wipe up excess water and soap.

Clean the glass part of the window after everything else is clean. Fill a spray bottle with half white vinegar and half water. Spray the glass then use the partially damp microfiber cloth or paper towel to wipe it up, wiping in a Z motion.

Finally, wipe the window sill and the apron underneath it.

Vanity Lights

Remove each light bulb and wipe with a microfiber cloth. Remove each light bulb shade and wash with soap and water, then let dry. Clean with a microfiber cloth or microfiber duster all around the light sockets.

Medicine Cabinet

Remove everything in the medicine cabinet and check the dates. Throw out anything that is expired or has spilled. Wipe down the shelves and the items and put them back. If you have any other drawers, cabinets, or storage areas in your bathroom, do the same thing.

Mirrors

Much like a window, you can clean a mirror using a spray bottle with half water and half vinegar. Spray it on and then use a partially damp microfiber cloth or paper towel to wipe it up, wiping in a Z motion.

Bathroom Sink

Spring cleaning the bathroom sink may not be much different than the weekly cleaning you do now, but this is an area you don’t want to forget the additional step of disinfecting.

How to clean your bathroom sink (naturally)

Stainless steel or porcelain bathroom sink: Cover the surface of the sink with warm water. Sprinkle baking soda over the sink. Wipe the baking soda (paste) around the sink using any type of rag or cloth. Use an old toothbrush to brush the paste around seals and cracks. Pour some vinegar (vinegar will help eliminate any water spots) around the surface of the sink then wipe the paste and vinegar together around the sink. Next, wash off the cloth and start using it to remove the paste and baking soda. Keep washing the cloth off and wiping and removing the paste. If your sink is a stand-alone, don’t forget to clean the underside of the sink.

Copper bathroom sinks: Follow this guide for cleaning a copper sink.

Stone bathroom sinks: Follow this guide for cleaning a stone sink.

Disinfect the bathroom sink

After you have cleaned the sink, disinfect it using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.

• Hydrogen peroxide: To get the most out of hydrogen peroxide’s disinfecting properties spray or pour it on the surface of the bathroom sink and let it sit for at least 60 seconds, then wipe.
• Isopropanol 70% or higher (Rubbing Alcohol); To get the most out of isopropyl alcohol, apply it to the bathroom sink surface and let it sit for at least 30 seconds, then wipe it up.

Toilet

The toilet may be the most dreaded spot in the house to clean (we don’t need to explain why). Because of this, you may tend to ignore certain areas of it, including the accessories when you do your weekly cleaning. So to spring clean the toilet, you need to completely clean it as well as anything around it.

Follow the nine steps below to spring clean the toilet.

1. Combine a couple of drops of plant-based dish soap or a drop of Miracle II soap (affiliate link), ½ cup of water, and ½ cup of vinegar in a spray bottle.

2. Spray down the outside of the toilet. This should include the top, sides, and underside of the tank (a common place where mold can accumulate) both sides of the lid and seat, and around the hinges, base, and the floor where the base sits.

3. Let it sit for 5 – 10 minutes.

4. Wipe down the toilet with a paper towel, microfiber cloth, or your choice of rag.

5. Sprinkle baking soda inside the bowl and use a toilet brush to scrub the stains. To help remove rust stains, add some vinegar.

6. Following the previous directions for disinfecting, use hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to disinfect the handle, lid, and seat. If you prefer, disinfect the entire toilet.

7. You may have never thought about cleaning inside the tank of the toilet, but it does need cleaning, and right now would be a good time to do that. Follow this guide to clean the inside of the toilet tank.

Toilet accessories

In your bathroom, you might have two things sitting next to the toilet: A toilet brush and a plunger.

8. Toilet brush: Just dipping the toilet brush in the toilet water and putting it back in the holder after using it isn’t going to sanitize or make it clean. This quick video shows how to clean and disinfect a toilet brush.

9. Plunger: Maybe your toilet plunger is used a lot, or maybe it’s not, but regardless it too needs to be cleaned and disinfected. Check out the natural option (using apple cider vinegar) in this guide for cleaning your plunger.

If you’ve had enough of spring cleaning the bathroom for one day, we understand, and this would be a good time to stop. Or if you still have the time and energy, then your shower or bathtub unit is quietly waiting for you to spring clean it next.

Shower

Before we get into the different types of shower walls, there is one thing all showers have in common, (and you’re probably not cleaning it), a showerhead.

Showerhead

The showerhead might not be something you think about cleaning, but over time it can clog with minerals or even rust. Your bathroom spring cleaning would not be complete without cleaning it.

To clean your showerhead, check out this simple 7-step guide.

Shower walls

There is a variety of materials that shower walls consist of. Acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, glass, and stone are the most common.

Acrylic shower walls: To clean acrylic shower walls, spray the shower walls and handle using the same cleaner you used for the toilet and let it sit for 5 – 10 minutes. Use a microfiber cloth, or if necessary, a sponge to wipe off the walls.

Ceramic or porcelain shower walls: Clean ceramic or porcelain shower walls using this guide. 

Glass tile shower walls: Click here to learn how to clean glass tiles.

Stone Tiles: Follow this guide for cleaning stone tiles.

Glass shower door

For cleaning a glass shower door, again, use the cleaning spray you created to clean the outside of the toilet. Spray the inside and outside of the shower door and let it sit for 5 – 10 minutes. Use a microfiber cloth or sponge to wipe it up and make it completely dry.

Bathtub

Using the same cleaner you used previously (if you’re almost out, make some more!), spray the bathtub and handles, and let it sit for 5 – 10 minutes. Use a microfiber cloth or sponge to wipe it up. For tough stains, run some water in the tub to get it wet then sprinkle some baking soda on it. Follow the same procedure for cleaning the bathroom sink and wipe it around using any type of rag or cloth. If necessary, use a scrub brush or old toothbrush to remove the stains and clean around the bathtub handles. Pour some vinegar around the bathtub then wipe the paste and vinegar together around it. Next, wash off the cloth and start using it to remove the paste and baking soda. Keep washing the cloth off and wiping and removing the paste.

Disinfect any areas of the shower and bathtub area you think need to be. Once everything is clean and has dried, put your clean shower curtain back on.

Light switches and doors

Light switches: Until recently, you probably weren’t thinking about how often light switches are touched. They are high-touch areas in your home, so try to clean them often (more than just the springtime). To properly clean a light switch, use a dry microfiber cloth to go over the light switch and plate. If there are visible smudges, partially wet the microfiber cloth and wipe it down.

Doors: Much like light switches, door handles are also high-touch areas in your house. Try to clean them often as well. Check out this guide for how to properly clean and polish any type of doorknob. To clean your bathroom door, wipe it all down with a dry microfiber cloth, including the frame and trim. For any visible smudges, partially wet one corner of the microfiber cloth and use it to wipe them.

Once you have cleaned the light switches and door handles, disinfect them.

Floors

Finally, we come to the last area and the final step to spring cleaning your bathroom. Before you start cleaning the bathroom floor, take a dry microfiber cloth and wipe down the baseboards or floor trim just above the flooring. Then vacuum the floor.

To get the best clean for your type of flooring, check out these 8 tricks.

Conclusion (Spring cleaning all year long)

You can clean these areas of the bathroom on different days throughout the Spring, or you can clean them all on one busy, long day.

Once your bathroom is spring cleaned, here is what you can do to keep it tidy and clean for the rest of the year.

• Make a cleaning schedule for the rest of the year, scheduling a thorough cleaning every season.
• Every week go beyond your usual cleaning and clean one of the areas you previously spring cleaned. Since you already spring cleaned these areas, it will be much easier and quicker to clean them.
• Hire a home cleaning service. Only have time for one thorough spring cleaning a year? Hire a natural or green house cleaning service to clean your whole house weekly and maintain that spring clean.

With the extra time you have at home, it’s time to get the spring cleaning done. And maybe you can even get the family to help.

In the comments below, let us know which all year spring cleaning routine you prefer.