How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom

Your bathroom is an area in your home that gets a lot of foot traffic. It's also a breeding ground for germs, as it's the place where you go to the toilet and do your business. Disease-causing bacteria and viruses that may live in your bathroom include:

• Escherichia coli (E.coli) – This germ produces the Shiga toxin, which causes severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and even fever. Some infections are mild, but others may end up life-threatening. Some strains of E.Coli have been known to cause bloody stools, loss of blood platelets, and even kidney failure. 

• Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) – Exposure to Staph usually results in a minor skin infection. However, it could cause food poisoning if you end up ingesting it. Staph can also get into the blood and infect your organs and joints.

• Rotavirus – The Rotavirus usually infects young children and infants. Symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, dehydration, and diarrhea.

You don't want these organisms lingering in your bathroom and infecting your family and guests. As such, it's important that you deep clean this area of your Elisa Homes unit once or twice a month. Here's how to do it. 

Gather the Essential Tools and Materials

Here are some essential equipment and materials you'll need for your deep clean:

• All-purpose cleaner – This is great for cleaning most surfaces in your bathroom. A gallon of all-purpose cleaner costs less than PhP 400. You can also make a homemade one with one-part water and one-part vinegar. If you're going to clean appliances or bare stone, use a mix of dishwashing liquid and water instead. Pour it into a spray bottle, and it's ready to use.

• Microfiber cloth – Use this to spread your all-purpose cleaner around evenly on surfaces. 

• Scrub and toilet brushes – These are essential for cleaning dirt and grime off the walls, floor, and toilet. They usually cost less than PhP 200 each. 
• Scrub pad and old toothbrushes – These are great for cleaning bathtubs and sinks. 

• Squeegee – This is great if you don't want to leave streaks on your shower door after cleaning it. 

• Disinfectant – Reserve this for the dirtiest areas of your bathroom, like your toilet seat. 

• Small broom and dustpan – These are excellent for getting rid of dust and hair that accumulates on your countertops and floors. 

Declutter

The more stuff you have in your bathroom, the more space that germs have to hang out and hide. Clean up the trash bin and put your mats and toilets in the laundry for cleaning. Decluttering also helps you get the space to move around your bathroom when cleaning.

Get Rid of Dust from Top to Bottom

Before you go and spray every inch of your bathroom with soap and water, make sure to clean off the dirt, dust, and hair with a broom and dustpan first. You don't want to end up with disgusting clumps of wet grime that you have to pick up and throw away. Start at the highest surface in your bathroom and work your way down. This top-to-bottom approach ensures that the dirt you clean off falls to the floor, which you'll work on last. 

Clean Mirrors and Fixtures

Next, spray some all-purpose cleaner on your mirrors, fixtures, and shower door (if you have one). Spread the mixture on one side of the cloth and dry it off with the other side. You can also use a squeegee on the larger surfaces to keep them streak-free.

Scrub the Walls, Counters, and Sinks

Next, use your all-purpose cleaner to spritz your bathroom walls and countertops, using your microfiber cloth to wipe off the dirt. Next, get some baking soda and sprinkle it onto the sink. Use a scrub pad or old toothbrush and a small amount of water to clean the grime off the sink. Lastly, drain the mixture completely. 

Clean the Toilet

Work your way from the least dirty part to the dirtiest part of the toilet. Use your all-purpose cleaner on the tank, lid, and seat. Next, sprinkle some baking soda into the toilet. Spread it around using a toilet brush and water. Flush the mixture after cleaning. 

Scrub the Floors

Next, get your scrub brush and all-purpose cleaner to work on the floor. If you have delicate composite floors, use a rag instead. Make sure to cover every corner, especially hard-to-reach places like the toilet's base. These damp, dark areas are where germs multiply rapidly. Rinse the mixture thoroughly if you can. 

Disinfect

Now that you've cleaned everything, it's time to spray some disinfectant on the dirtiest parts of the bathroom, like the toilet, sinks, corners, and trash cans. 

 

Deep cleaning your bathroom is hard work. Moving around the room and scrubbing and wiping every inch of it will leave you tired. However, it's well worth the effort knowing you've gotten rid of germs that could've caused you or your family harm.