Humans use the bathroom at least ten times a day to shower, groom, or do their business. Considering how often a person uses their bathroom, it’s only natural that the bathroom collects dirt, mess, and clutter every day. Furthermore, due to the ample supply of moisture and temperature in the room, it can also be a breeding ground for harmful (and headache-inducing) mould and mildew.

Having said that, every homeowner must maintain the cleanliness and order in their bathrooms and here’s how you can do that.

Create a To-Do List

Make no mistake. Cleaning the bathroom is a daunting task. You’re bound to give up or lose momentum halfway if you don’t go about it with a plan. You don’t actually need to make a detailed action plan, but something like a to-do list or, in this case, a to-clean list.

Start by doing a quick survey of the room to see what needs to be cleaned, organised, thrown out, and replaced. Then, write down everything you need to do to get them all sorted out—wipe the windows, scrub the toilet, unclog the drain, refill the dispensers, etc.

Having a to-do list will minimise the time you spend trying to figure out what to do next and help you budget your energy and enthusiasm so you can get the job done.

Bring Out Your Tools

Instead of going back and forth for your supply closet for cleaning tools, save time by getting everything out and putting the handy tools in a caddy. Your cleaning should have the basic tools, including the following:

• Rubber gloves
• Microfiber towels
• All-purpose cleaner
• Disinfectant spray
• Toothbrush
• Scrub brush

Always wear rubber gloves when cleaning to avoid injuries and to keep your hands clean. Place the caddy and cleaning tools within your reach to help maximise your time and energy.

Use Nontoxic Products

Unfortunately, many of the products you use around the house can be harmful to your health and the environment. Some toilet cleaners contain ammonia, which can be fatal to your lung’s health when you’re exposed to concentrations of 3 percent or more in a cloistered space with poor ventilation.

If you have a glass shower door, you should be wary of the cleaners that contain the ingredient 2-butoxyethanol. It’s a solvent that can trigger allergies, asthma, and as well as cause a sore throat.

Opt for natural products such as baking soda, vinegar, castile soap, and eco-friendly products that are safe for your health and the environment. They are just as effective at cleaning but are significantly more beneficial to your well-being and the earth.

Keep your family safe and healthy, and help the environment. Avoid products that contain these hazardous chemicals and ingredients.

Organise Cabinets and Drawers

To keep your bathroom clean, you need to get rid of everything that’s cluttering the space, including those that are hidden in your cabinets and drawers. Raid all your bathroom organisers, from the medicine cupboard down to the under-the-sink cabinet.

Throw out empty bottles and expired medicine, makeup, and cleaning and hygiene products or ones that you no longer use (even if they haven’t passed their expiration date). Remove items that don’t belong in your bathroom, and return them to their proper place.

Create order in your cabinets and drawers by using organisers. For cabinets, separate items by using baskets, and use dividers for drawers. Put medicines in transparent containers with labels to make them easier to identify.

Consider installing more hooks or hanging bars in your bathroom, especially if your cabinets and drawers are getting overcrowded. You can even use stylish bathroom hooks to add spice to your decor.

Clean from Top to Bottom

After decluttering cabinets and drawers, start with the bathroom windows, shower doors, mirror, and top surfaces. Unclog your showerhead by tying a plastic bag filled with vinegar around it, and let it soak for a day. Sprinkle baking soda on a microfiber towel to clean painted walls and surfaces. Use it with hydrogen peroxide to remove grout from tiles.

Remove hair strands and debris blocking the shower drain and sink drain. Throw a few tablespoons of baking soda down the drain, add white vinegar, let it fizz, and rinse with boiling water to clear the blockage. You can also use baking soda with vinegar to disinfect your bathroom.

After everything is wiped, scrubbed, and polished to perfection, eliminate odours by preparing a mix of baking soda and your favourite scented bathroom salt in an open dish, and place it on top of your toilet tank or sink. You can also hang a bag of baking soda to absorb odours. Replace the bag of baking soda every three months to keep the bathroom smelling fresh and clean.

There’s a right way (or ways) to do things. For cleaning, it’s more efficient and wiser to start from top to bottom. Doing so saves time and energy because you can better prevent messing up areas you’ve already cleaned. And you don’t have to use a lot of products to clean effectively. Baking soda works like magic for cleaning the bathroom.

Ventilate the Room

Ventilate your bathroom during and after using and cleaning. Airing out the room and turning on the exhaust fan help dry the space faster, eliminating moisture that encourages the growth of mold and mildew on walls and surfaces. It also helps get rid of odors and improves the air quality in your bathroom. It is also important to have a dehumidifier in your bathroom to prevent the occurrence of mold growth.

Other than proper ventilation, your bathroom could also use plenty of natural light. The sun’s rays have been proven to kill germs and bacteria, creating a healthier bathroom environment. Plus, natural light makes a small room look spacious and airy, not to mention Instagram-worthy.

Prevent Plumbing Issues

Plumbing problems (e.g., clogged toilets, blocked drains, and leaky fixtures) can cause tons of mess. They are so costly that commercial buildings are now turning to QR code apps (e.g. Needs Attention) to increase response time. Install preventive measures to avoid certain issues from cropping up.

Insulate your pipes to prevent leaks, as well as to save energy on your heating. Add a drain shield to catch all kinds of debris (like hair strands and soap and shampoo residue) before they clog your drain. Install a macerator pump, and connect your bathroom fixtures, including your toilet, tub, and sink, to facilitate more efficient drainage and prevent clogs.

Inspect your pipes, faucets, and showerhead regularly to make sure you can catch minor leaks and problems before they get worse.

Keep Your Bathroom Clean

Cleaning your bathroom is a time-consuming task at best, but at worst, it’s a herculean labor. Don’t wait until you can’t see the original color of the bathroom floor or until the showerhead can barely spit out water. The more you put it off, the more troublesome it becomes.

Although bathroom cleaning can be tedious, you can lessen the burden by practicing good habits, like not leaving a mess everywhere, decluttering as you go, and ventilating the bathroom during and after use. In the end, maintaining the cleanliness and order in your bathroom is beneficial to your health, mental well-being, and bank account.