| One of the first rooms in the house to look cluttered | | | | scratch surfaces. |
| is often the bathroom. Bottles are left on the sink, | | | | Now use a large plastic cup or a small clean bucket to |
| towels on the floor, and mirrors have water marks. | | | | rinse the walls and tub. If you have one of the |
| As with any room, if we take a step-by-step | | | | shower attachments on a hose that is detachable, |
| approach around the room, we can have the | | | | that will make the rinsing easier. Put the soap and |
| bathroom neat and clean in a short amount of time. | | | | shampoo back on the shower wall shelves. |
| 1. Countertops | | | | 3. Toilet |
| My sink countertop gets filled with things so quickly, | | | | Remove anything that is on the back of the toilet. |
| and it looks a mess when it does. First of all, take | | | | Clean the back of the tank. I like to use a spray |
| everything off the countertop. Use a spray cleaner, | | | | cleaner that contains bleach on the outside of the |
| or whatever type you prefer, and clean it off. Don't | | | | toilet surfaces. My personal preference is to use |
| forget the backsplash. Scrub the sink bowl, and rinse | | | | paper towels instead of rags to clean the outside of |
| all surfaces well. | | | | the toilet because I can throw them away when I'm |
| I like to clean the mirror next while the countertop is | | | | done. Disinfectant or bleach wipes are also good. |
| empty. You can use window cleaner or vinegar and | | | | Put cleaner in the toilet bowl, and let it soak for a |
| water here. I just mix about 1 part of vinegar to 3 | | | | few minutes. Then take the long-handled toilet brush |
| parts water and put it in a clean spray bottle. | | | | and clean the toilet. Flush it out to rinse, maybe a |
| Now, look over the items you took off the counter. | | | | couple of times. |
| If they belong there, put them back neatly. If not, | | | | Now spray the toilet seat on top and underneath |
| put them in the cabinet or drawer or wherever they | | | | with the spray cleaner and wipe off. Make sure you |
| belong. | | | | also get the rim of the toilet bowl and behind the |
| I also lay our toothbrushes on a clean paper towel, | | | | bolts that hold the seat on. With another clean paper |
| while I put the toothbrush holder in the dishwasher or | | | | towel, spray and wipe the top and bottom of the |
| wash it out with dish detergent. Scum collects so | | | | toilet lid. |
| quickly in the bottom and is unsanitary. | | | | Spray and wipe the bottom of the tank and also the |
| 2. Shower and Tub | | | | base where it bolts to the floor. This area is always a |
| Take any washcloths from the inside of the shower | | | | dirt catcher. |
| rail and put in the dirty towel hamper. Remove bars | | | | 4. Floor |
| of soap, shampoo, or shavers from the shower | | | | Ok, the worst is basically over now. Let's move on |
| shelves. | | | | to the floor. Take baskets or hampers out of the |
| Again, use your preferred cleaner and apply to the | | | | room if you can. Use a broom or dust mop to sweep |
| walls of the shower and the tub. You may need to | | | | the floor. Then mop the floor, or use a Swiffer-type |
| let the cleaner soak for a little while. Use a | | | | mop, which makes it very easy. |
| non-abrasive scrubbing sponge and start at the top | | | | Now, you're done! Put clean towels on the racks, and |
| of the shower walls and work down. For tough | | | | maybe some fresh potpourri in a bowl on the |
| spots, I've found that a little kitchen scraper works | | | | counter. Enjoy your clean, organized bathroom. |
| well. Make sure it is the plastic type that won't | | | | |