While it’s common knowledge to clean the toilet, tub, and sink, there are numerous areas and items in the bathroom that often go overlooked.
It’s time to address these neglected spaces and ensure a comprehensive cleaning routine.
Have you ever taken a closer look at your bathroom exhaust fan or thought about when to replace your bathroom rugs? Additionally, some items should be discarded altogether, such as rusted razor blades and expired medications. By addressing these often-forgotten cleaning tasks, you can ensure that your entire bathroom shines from top to bottom.
What are bathroom accessories?
Bathroom accessories are essential elements that enhance the functionality and aesthetics of a bathroom.
These accessories are necessary for creating a well-equipped and organized space. Here are some key bathroom accessories that should be present in every bathroom:
Mirrors: Mirrors are essential for personal grooming and adding depth to the bathroom.
They come in various shapes, sizes, and styles to suit different bathroom designs.
Towels: Towels are a must-have accessory for drying off after washing hands or taking a bath.
They come in different sizes, colors, and materials to match the bathroom decor.
Toothbrush Holders: Toothbrush holders keep toothbrushes organized and hygienic.
They are available in various designs, including wall-mounted holders, countertop stands, or ones that can be attached to the bathroom mirror.
Towel Racks: Towel racks provide a designated space for hanging towels, ensuring they stay dry and easily accessible.
They come in different styles, such as wall-mounted racks, freestanding racks, or hooks.
Hangers and Hooks: Hangers and hooks are useful for hanging bathrobes, clothes, or additional towels.
They help keep the bathroom clutter-free and promote better organization.
Lighting: Proper lighting is essential for functional and ambient illumination in the bathroom.
It includes overhead lighting, vanity lighting, and other fixtures that enhance visibility and create a pleasant atmosphere.
Bathroom Curtains and Window Sills: Curtains or blinds provide privacy and light control in the bathroom.
Window sills can be utilized to display plants or decorative items, adding a touch of style to the space.
Soap Dishes, Liquid Soap Dispensers, and Toilet Paper Holders: These accessories contribute to maintaining cleanliness and convenience in the bathroom.
Soap dishes keep bars of soap in place, liquid soap dispensers offer a hygienic way to dispense hand soap, and toilet paper holders ensure easy access to toilet paper rolls.
By incorporating these essential bathroom accessories, you can elevate the functionality and visual appeal of your bathroom while ensuring a well-organized and comfortable space for daily use.
Bathroom Items You Should Clean or Replace Soon
Hairbrushes and Combs.
Hairbrushes are not just filled with hair but also accumulate dust, dirt, oils, hair products, and even dust mites.
To maintain clean and healthy hair, it’s important to clean your brushes regularly. Remove excess hair from your brushes daily and shampoo them at least once a month.
Here’s how:
Fill a basin with warm water and add a few drops of shampoo.
Swirl the water to create suds. Submerge the bristles of the brush in Soapy Water.
Use a clean toothbrush to scrub near the base of the bristles. Rinse the brush with fresh water and leave it to dry, bristle-side down, on a clean towel overnight.
The same method can be used for cleaning combs.
Bath Mats.
Bath mats are prone to developing mildew due to the humid environment in bathrooms.
It’s essential to wash them regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria and keep them clean. Follow these steps:
Check the care label of your bath mat for specific instructions.
If machine-washable, wash the mat with bath towels according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the care label is missing, refer to A Guide for cleaning different types of bath mats.
To maintain cleanliness, it’s recommended to clean rugs and bath mats every three to four weeks. If a bathroom rug shows signs of damage or significant wear, it should be replaced.
Loofahs.
Loofahs, whether made of natural or synthetic materials, can become breeding grounds for bacteria, mold, and yeast.
It’s advisable to replace natural loofahs every three to four weeks and synthetic ones every two months. To keep them clean and bacteria-free, follow these tips:
Dry loofahs between uses to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Avoid using loofahs immediately after shaving to reduce the risk of infections. Clean loofahs weekly by soaking them in a diluted bleach solution for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Toilet Brushes.
Toilet brushes perform one of the dirtiest tasks in the bathroom, yet they are often neglected when it comes to cleaning.
To effectively remove bacteria, grime, and fecal matter from the brush, follow these steps:
- Fill a bucket with hot water and add a few capfuls of bleach.
- Soak the toilet brush in the solution for an hour.
- After soaking, rinse the brush with hot water.
- Allow the brush to dry before placing it back into the holder.
Toilet Handle.
While the toilet bowl is commonly cleaned, the toilet handle is often overlooked.
To prevent the spread of germs, wipe down the toilet handle each time you clean the bowl. You can use a diluted bleach solution or a disinfecting wipe to ensure cleanliness.
Makeup Brushes.
Dirty makeup brushes can contribute to skin issues.
It’s recommended to wash makeup brushes every two weeks or when the bristles become stiff or cakey. Follow these steps for cleaning:
Use unscented bar soap, baby soap, or a dedicated brush cleanser.
Wet the brush and gently lather the bristles with the cleaning agent. Rinse thoroughly and reshape the bristles.
Allow the brushes to dry in a clean and well-ventilated area.
Bathroom Exhaust Fan.
Bathroom exhaust fans accumulate dust and can develop mold and mildew.
It’s important to include them in your cleaning routine. Here’s what you can do:
Spot-clean the fan cover using an all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
For a deeper clean, remove the cover and vacuum the fan blades and vent once or twice a year, depending on usage.
Soap Dispenser.
Soap dispensers used daily to keep hands clean, also need regular cleaning.
Include them in your weekly bathroom cleaning routine using the following steps:
Remove the lid and temporarily transfer any remaining soap into another container.
Mix warm water and a few drops of Dish Soap to wash a glass or plastic soap dispenser. Scrub built-up residue with a clean toothbrush.
If the dispenser is glass, it can be placed in the dishwasher’s top rack for sanitization. Hand-wash the pump with warm, soapy water and use a toothpick to remove any clogs.
For quick wipe-downs between deep cleans, use a disinfecting wipe.
Expired Medication.
Expired medications should be discarded as they may lose potency or become ineffective.
Check the expiration dates on your medications annually and follow the proper disposal methods recommended on the labels.
Razor Blades.
Disposable razor blades should be replaced when signs of rust or wear become evident.
To keep a new razor clean:
Rinse the razor thoroughly after each use.
Remove any hair or shaving cream between the blades. Wipe the blades with a cotton ball soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
Store the razor in a dry location between shaves. Regular maintenance and cleaning of these household items will contribute to a cleaner and healthier living environment.
*The information is for reference only.