Your Blog Festival

Student life is definitely challenging. Along with managing academics and co-curricular activities, you need to get a grip on the living situation as well. Whether you are staying as a paying guest or renting a flat with roommates, one main responsibility to not take lightly is regular bathroom cleaning. If ignored, an unclean bathroom can become a cause of many hygienic issues. Hiring a professional cleaning service or spending a big portion of your money on cleaning products might become a cause of worry. However, a few bathroom cleaning tips can help you save time, money and effort. 

Toilet Cleaning

The most challenging part of the bathroom cleaning process is that of dealing with the commode. Not only does it seem gross, but also a lot of hard work. If you are not up for intense scrubbing, here are a few options that will help you get out of this fix. 

• Take nearly a quarter cup of mouthwash. Pour it in the toilet bowl and let it rest for about half an hour. Scrub the bowl and flush. 
• Take a couple of antacid tablets and add them to the toilet bowl. You can also use a denture tablet consisting of baking soda and a Vitamin C tablet. Let it dissolve for about 20 minutes. Follow by scrubbing with a toilet brush and flushing. 
• Take a can of carbonated soft drink and empty it into the commode. Let it sit for about 30-60 minutes. Scrub and flush. 

Showerhead Cleaning

One of the essential cleaning tips every student needs to know is that of a showerhead. We often tend to ignore the shower considering its general use. However, with time, showerheads can get clogged up with a lot of minerals present in hard water, grime and dirt buildup. All you need to do is fill a plastic bag with vinegar. Now, try to neatly wrap it around the showerhead and secure it with an elastic band or tape. Let it remain as it is for the night. The next day, carefully take out the vinegar bag and clean the showerhead with some toothpaste. It will be free of all grimy buildup. You can also do this with your sink or other faucets.

Shower Curtain Cleaning

Shower curtains are in constant proximity to moisture and can develop mould and mildew over time. It can make the curtain unhygienic, look dull and less durable. One way is to put them in the wash regularly. You can also soak them in saltwater before hanging. If the mildew persists, mix some vinegar and salt. Put on the mildewed portion and let it rest for a couple of hours. Wipe off with a damp cloth.

Clean the Crevices and Nooks

Crevices and nooks can get a lot of fungal growth over time. While sweeping the bathroom floor, it is not uncommon to ignore the corner areas where it is hard to reach. However, getting the grime out of the edges and corners is equally important. Just wrap a cloth around a chopstick or a screwdriver and dip it in the washing detergent. Now, run it all over the bathroom corners. Rinse and repeat the process with a clean cloth for quick drying. 

Prevent Rusting of Metal Surfaces

Your vanity or soap containers in the bathroom might be made up of metal. Rusting can leave behind stubborn marks and make the bathroom look constantly dirty. However, you can simply apply a couple of nail paint remover coats around the rims and edges to prevent any such situation. 

Follow the Top to Bottom Approach

While you are cleaning the shower walls or bathroom tiles, it is essential to note the cleaning process direction you are following. When you start at the bottom and slowly gain height, the dirt particles from the top portion can fall upon the already cleaned portion. So always clean from top to bottom. 

Get Rid of Water Spots

Many surfaces in your bathroom can get dirty with the constant water drips, leading to hard water stains. These surfaces may include your sink, faucets, mirror, bathtub, acrylic shower units, et cetera. These spots might also include traces of soap scum. To get rid of the scum, treat the surface with:

• A couple of cups of salt dissolved in 4 litres of hot water
• Half cup vinegar, quarter cup baking soda and one cup ammonia mixed in 4 litres of hot water

Let the solution rest on the surface for about 20 minutes before rinsing and washing. 

Clean Bathtub Corners

The bathtub is probably one of the most cherished elements of your bathroom. While you might enjoy a good soak every now and then, it is equally important to clean it thoroughly. Just take some cotton balls, dip in a tub cleaner or detergent and put them in the corners. Let it rest for the night and clean the surface again in the morning. 

Tackle Soap Scum

Stubborn soap scum might take a lot of effort in dislodging. However, you can easily use cooking spray to get rid of it. Use nonstick cooking spray on the bathtub or shower wall. This will instantly deal with any soap scum layers. Just rinse off with hot water to avoid any slippery surfaces. 

Deal With the Odours

There’s no doubt in the fact that a bad-smelling bathroom is probably one of the most common problems faced by students. Lack of regular cleaning efforts can lead to a gross, musty odour. One of the top cleaning tips for students is to add a jar of rice to the bathroom shelf. Rice will absorb all the bad odours. Just cover the jar with a breathable fabric. You can also add 10-20 drops of any essential oil (rosemary, lavender, lime etc.) to the jar. 

Conclusion

Student life teaches us to be independent. From cooking to cleaning, people take care of everything on their own in a limited time and budget. Bathroom cleaning is one such task that needs to be accomplished while dividing your time between friends, academics and co-curricular activities. Leaving the bathroom unclean for a long time can be a cause of many unhygienic issues in the house. However, some super easy bathroom cleaning tips can help you tackle the situation smartly. The above-mentioned bathroom cleaning tips are easy to do and give satisfactory results. So, what are you waiting for? Pick your mop and bucket and get started. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1 – How often should you clean your bathroom?

Answer 1 – Your bathroom needs regular cleaning in the span of a week. Depending on the daily use, you might need to alter the duration. Remember, if your bathroom is shared by multiple roommates, you should at least clean it once or twice every 5-10 days. 

Question 2 – Which bathroom cleaning essentials should I invest in?

Answer 2 – You don’t actually need fancy bathroom cleaning products. However, a soap dispensing brush and a squeegee might come in handy every now and then. Apart from that, you should have the essential elements like a mop, bucket, gloves, scrubbing brushes etc.