Bathroom cleaning mistakes you didn't know you were making

There are so many germs in the bathroom, so it’s important to keep yours clean
for the health and safety of you and your family. Unfortunately, people often make some pretty gross cleaning mistakes when it comes to this particular room in the house. 

Are you guilty of any of these bathroom cleaning oversights?

1. Not washing your shower curtain liner

When cleaning your shower, it’s easy to forget about the curtain liner. And most people think that when it does start to build up a residue, that the best solution is to just throw it out. Instead, toss it in the laundry machine with some old towels and a bit of bleach. Use hot water and use a delicate cycle. To keep your liner fresher for longer, Good Housekeeping suggests pulling the curtain closed after you shower because the liner is more likely to attract mold and mildew when you leave it bunched up.   

When cleaning your shower, it’s easy to forget about the curtain liner. And most people think that when it does start to build up a residue, that the best solution is to just throw it out. Instead, toss it in the laundry machine with some old towels and a bit of bleach. Use hot water and use a delicate cycle. To keep your liner fresher for longer, Good Housekeeping suggests pulling the curtain closed after you shower because the liner is more likely to attract mold and mildew when you leave it bunched up.   

2. Only cleaning part of the toilet

Everyone knows how important it is to keep the toilet clean — it’s one of the dirtiest places in the home, but, surprisingly, a lot of people fail to clean the entire toilet. Cleaning inside the toilet bowl is important, but don’t forget about the exterior as well, including the tank and all along the base. Additionally, don’t forget to regularly disinfect the handle.

3. Using paper towels

Not only are paper towels wasteful, but they’re not incredibly effective to clean with in the bathroom. Instead, try using a microfiber cloth. Before wiping down the surfaces of your bathroom with a disinfectant, it’s important to dust things off first. Microfiber cloths create a static charge that attracts dirt and dust — perfect for an initial bathroom wipe-down. After a few uses, give them a good wash and continue to reuse them.

4. Holding onto bathroom accessories for too long

Certain bathroom items you can clean and keep for years and years. For instance, things like toothbrush holders and small shower racks can go through the dishwasher. But things like loofahs and kids’ bath toys should be replaced over time.

5. Just mopping the floors

If you want sparkling, absolutely clean bathroom floors, you need to do more than just mop. Prior to mopping, go over you floors with either a vacuum or broom to collect most of the dirt, dust, and hair. In the long run, it’ll save you time and keep you from needing to scrub the floors extra thoroughly.

6. Not using your exhaust fan

Exhaust fans help to cut down on mildew and mold growth in your bathroom, but they’re often not used enough for this purpose. Good Housekeeping suggests turning on your fan prior to getting in your shower and leaving it running for 15 to 20 minutes after getting out — this will help to cut down on moisture. If you don’t have a fan, leave a window wide open.

7. Never cleaning your hairbrush

Uncleaned hairbrushes trap unwanted dust, dirt, oils, and old hair product. When you think about it, every time you use your brush, you’re putting all of that back into your hair. 

To keep your hair clean, make sure to clean your brushes regularly. RD suggests mixing a solution of one cup of water, one teaspoon of shampoo, and one teaspoon baking soda to work into the bristles and base of your brush.

 8. Not cleaning your toothbrush

“A recent study from the University of Manchester found that the average toothbrush contained about 10 million germs, including E. coli,” reports RD. To make sure your toothbrush is clean, thoroughly rinse it after each use and periodically soak it in a cup of vinegar for about 30 minutes to remove any bacteria. They also advise getting a new toothbrush every three months.

9. Using your cleaning products too quickly

It’s not uncommon to spray your bathroom surfaces with a cleaning solution and then immediately wipe everything down. However, if you immediately wipe everything away, you’re not giving your cleaning products enough time to do their job. 

To make sure they dissolve all the bacteria and germs they can, follow the directions of the back of the cleaning product exactly — they’ll tell you how long to let your product sit for. 

10. Not using a squeegee

Martha Stewart is a big squeegee advocate. She advises wiping down the walls of your shower with a squeegee after every use, not just on cleaning days. This way, you’re proactive about keeping mold and mildew out of the cracks of your shower tile walls.

11. Only using one product to clean your whole bathroom

It’s easier to just wipe everything down with one disinfecting wipe, but it’s not as thorough. Each area of the bathroom typically requires specific cleaners to do specific jobs. “Use your favorite tub-and-tile spray cleaner on the shower tiles, sink basin, and tub, but save the spray glass cleaner for mirrors,” advises Good Housekeeping.  

12. Scrubbing too hard

Chances are, if you have to scrub at an area in your bathroom really hard, you’re using the wrong cleaning product. Whether it’s the tool you’re using (like a sponge) or your cleaner of choice, you shouldn’t have to work that hard, especially if your bathroom gets cleaned on a regular basis. 

Try a different combination of cleaning tools and products to see what works best for you. The goal is to clean smarter, not harder.

13. Cleaning without gloves

A lot of people go ahead and tackle the bathroom sans gloves, but Chelsea Day of Momtastic couldn’t disagree more. “The germ exposure — and seriously gross illnesses you may catch as a result — are not worth it,” she says. “Always wear gloves, no matter what.”

14. Not letting the toilet brush dry out all the way

After cleaning your toilet bowl, don’t just place the wet toilet brush right back into its holder if you want to avoid a breeding ground for bacteria. Instead, simply lay it across the bowl to dry completely before putting it back. If you feel your toilet brush itself needs a good cleaning, soak it in an antibacterial cleaner, rinse, and wipe dry.

15. Skipping the pipes

Martha Stewart advises cleaning your bathroom pipes every month or two. It’s important to clean them to prevent grease, oil, and hair buildup. To do this, pour a ½ cub baking soda down the drain, followed by a ½ cup of white vinegar. Let the foamy mixture settle for a few minutes while it dissolves the fatty acids, then pour boiling water down the drain.

This article originally published on CheatSheet.com by Kelsey Goeres