Sanitizing a bathroom is among people’s least favorite household chores. If you think that giving your toilet seat a good scrub now and then is good enough, that’s understandable. However, to properly sanitize your bathroom, you need to look far beyond just your toilet.
In fact, researchers discovered that the most unsanitary part of a bathroom is the toothbrush holder. That’s right—in the average household, 64% of toothbrush holders have mold and yeast. In contrast, toilet seats only contain 27% of these germs.
Of course, we’re not about to recommend that you skip sanitizing your toilet. However, there are likely several areas in your bathroom that you haven’t considered sanitizing. So, read on for steps on how to sanitize a bathroom.
Step #1: Sink
Sinks are the perfect storm of collecting gross things in a bathroom: Toothpaste residue, hair, etc. So, generously spray your bathroom sink with a disinfectant, letting it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a cloth or sponge to wipe it down.
Don’t forget to disinfect the faucet and handles as well. You should give extra care to disinfect the handles since they’re such a high-traffic place.
And, of course, this is the perfect opportunity to disinfect your toothbrush holder. While you’re at it, you should disinfect any item at this time that sits on your bathroom sink.
Step #2: Toilet
Cleaning your toilet is always top of mind when sanitizing your bathroom. Pour toilet bowl cleaner into the bowl and let it sit for five minutes.
In the meantime, use disinfectant wipes to clean the toilet seat and handle. If you have toilet partitions, now is the time to wipe those down too. After the five minutes pass, take your toilet brush and scrub the inside of your toilet thoroughly.
Don’t forget to disinfect your toilet brush after you finish using it. Let it dry, then spray it with a disinfectant. (Thanks to www.fastpartitions.com for this tip!)
Step #3: Tile Grout
Cleaning your bathroom’s tile grout isn’t only to restore its original color, although that’s no doubt a perk. Instead, your primary motivation for cleaning tile grout should be because it retains moisture, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
Using chlorine bleach will simultaneously kill the bacteria and restore your grout’s color. So, grab a bucket and mix a 3/4 cup of chlorine with one gallon of water. Make sure to wear gloves since dermatitis can occur if the solution comes in contact with your skin.
Use a cloth to apply the chlorine solution to small parts of your grout at a time. Let the chlorine sit for a few minutes. Then, using a stiff brush, scrub the tile in your bathroom.
Step #4: Tub
The irony of taking a shower is that many people do so in tubs filled with mold and bacteria. So, you’re going to want to get down on your hands and knees to give your bathtub a good scrub.
To start, choose a bathroom sanitizer and cover all surfaces of your tub from front to back. Let the sanitizer sit for a few minutes. Then, use a sponge or cloth to wipe it down.
Don’t forget to sanitize any high touch fixtures and the area around the drain. Now would also be a good time to check the integrity of your grab bars and repair or replace them if they are showing signs of wear. Also, don’t forget about the showerhead.
Step #5: Bathroom Fan
Even people who prioritize sanitizing their bathroom regularly often overlook cleaning their bathroom fan. However, since bathrooms are humid environments, it’s important to keep the fan clean so bacteria and mold don’t grow.
Start by using a vacuum extension to remove any dust around the fan grill. Then, mix a little soap and water and use a cloth to wipe down the outside. Make sure to use a damp cloth; you don’t want to get any water inside the fan.
Should you have a fan gill that you can easily remove, take it off and let it soak in the bucket of soapy water. Then, dry it well before reattaching it.
Step #6: Bathroom Floor
It wouldn’t be right to talk about sanitizing your bathroom without giving some love to your floor. We saved this step for last since your floor will likely accumulate stray drops of sanitizer and grime while you’re cleaning.
When choosing a sanitizer to use on your floor, those that don’t have sud-like properties are best. That’s because those cleaners are harsh and may dull the shiny appearance of your floor.
Whichever floor sanitizer you use, allow it to sit for a few minutes on the floor before you wipe it down with a cloth or mop. You can spot clean it if your floor has grout, as we described in the tile grout section.
How Often Should You Disinfect Your Bathroom?
Now that you know how to sanitize a bathroom, it’s time to set up a calendar reminder on your phone; experts recommend disinfecting your toilet, sink, and shower curtain at least once per week.
Furthermore, you should sanitize your bathtub and the rest of your bathroom twice a month. If that sounds extreme to you, consider this—E. coli often lies within six feet of many toilets and sinks.
Items to Keep in Mind When Sanitizing Your Bathroom
Below are some items to take note of before you embark on your bathroom sanitizing endeavor.
- Open a window if there’s one in your bathroom. The chemicals in bathroom sanitizers may irritate your respiratory system.
- Let all sanitizers sit for a few minutes before you scrub them and wipe them off. For most sanitizers to work as the container states, they often need to sit on a surface for five to ten minutes.
- Dress in junk clothes. Many sanitizers can stain, especially if they contain bleach.
Knowing how to sanitize a bathroom is half the battle. Now, you need to make it a habit. Unlike the popular theory that it takes 21 days to form a habit, studies show that it can take upwards of 254 days. So, why not pull out some cleaner and start sanitizing your bathroom today?
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2021
