My Tips and Advice: Bathroom Cleaning

Tip: Cleaning Ceramic Tile and Grout
The newest technology for regular bathroom cleaning, most specifically ceramic tile and grout, uses peroxide and detergents to penetrate soiled areas, removing stains and deactivating odors. Simply spray a product such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate on the tile, and then allow it to penetrate for approximately five minutes. Rinse with clean water.Also for cleaning bathroom tile, baking soda can be sprinkled on a nylon scouring pad and used to scrub along with the Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate for a more abrasive action. Cleaning bathroom tiles regularly can also be done with detergent and water (1/8 cup mild detergent to 2 quarts water), then rinse. Other commercial household cleaners or bathroom cleaners can also be used. When cleaning bathroom tiles, do not use scouring powders or other abrasives which can scratch the finish of the tiles. For a more abrasive cleaning, you can use a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 gallon warm water. Mix all in a bucket and stir until the baking soda dissolves. Scrub solution on tile with a brush, nylon scouring pad or sponge. Rinse with clean water. Remove soap scum from ceramic tile by wiping it with a fabric softener sheet. Rinse well with clean water. Remove mold and mildew from ceramic tile by cleaning with a dilute solution of chlorine bleach in water (one cup bleach to 3 cups water, increasing the bleach as necessary). Spray or sponge it on, wait a few minutes, then rinse well with clean water. Commercial mildew remover sprays can also be used. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and rinse the area well after cleaning. A less hazardous method is to use a peroxide based cleaner, such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate. Wet the area, spray Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate on the mildew, wait a few minutes then scrub with an old toothbrush. If the stains are particularly stubborn, you may want to use a stronger dilution of Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate. Mineral deposits from hard water (white residue) can be dissolved with white vinegar or a commercial product such as CLR (Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover) or Lime-A-Way. For heavy-duty stain removal on ceramic tile, use a solution of 1 part sodium citrate, Water, 6 parts glycerin and Whiting. Stir sodium citrate into the glycerin to dissolve. Add sufficient water to thin to a milk-like consistency. Mix in enough whiting to form a paste. Spread a thick coating on stains and let stand. Rinse with clean water.

Tip: Cleaning Eyeglass Nose Pads
If you wear glasses, you will likely notice a green build up accumulating around the nose pads. To clean off the green build up, you can take the pads off, clean it with liquid dish soap and a tooth brush, clean the screws and clean inside the pad arm holders for the screw, then put it back together and repeat every few months. Or just get new pads. Many opticians will replace them at no charge if it happens regularly (and if they do charge, it shouldn’t be more than about $5). If you would like to slow down future build ups, you can take clear fingernail polish and put a light coat on the metal in the trouble spots.

Tip: Yellow Stain Removal from Fiberglass Shower
When cleaning a bathroom, be sure to pay particular attention to your fiberglass shower, which can yellow if not cleaned regularly. To remove these stains from your white fiberglass shower, try using a solution of one part white vinegar and three parts water. If the stains persist, you can try using an oxalic acid product, such as Barkeeper’s Friend.

Tip: Saving Your Back in the Tub
Are you suffering from bathroom cleaning backache? Is it difficult to straighten up after hunching over to scrub your tub? Don’t let this happen to you! To make cleaning your bathtub a little more back friendly, try using a long armed squeegee or a sponge mop. Spray or squeeze your bathroom cleaner around the top and use the mop or squeegee to rub. Rinse the mop and use your shower remove all traces of soap.

Tip: Cleaning Curling Irons
A curling iron may not be something you normally consider when cleaning a bathroom. If not properly maintained however, hair spray and oils from the scalp with build up making it iron a sticky mess. If you add your curling iron to those items already on your bathroom cleaning “to do” list, you won’t have to spend too much time cleaning off product buildup. To remove hairspray residue, first try applying rubbing alcohol with a cotton ball. Rub until all of the residue is removed. (Caution: Never use alcohol or any other flammable liquid on a hot curling iron.) You might also try a paste of baking soda and water. Rub it on and remove with a damp cloth or sponge.

Tip: Removing Hair Removal Wax Residue from Skin
If the oil contained in your leg waxing kit hasn’t worked to clean off the residue left behind after hair removal, try baby oil instead. This will not only clean your skin, it will moisturize and soothe it as well.

Tip: Cleaning Grout
It’s not enough to give tile a wipe down every now and then. If not cleaned properly, grout will turn gray and dingy. Try this safe home remedy for cleaning bathroom tiles. Make a paste of baking soda and peroxide, apply to your grout, rub in with an old toothbrush and let sit for at least 30 minutes. For more heavy duty bathroom cleaning, dip your toothbrush in some bleach and give the grout a good scrub. Rinse by cleaning with a damp sponge.

Tip: Cleaning Shower Heads
We don’t usually consider our shower heads when cleaning a bathroom, but we should. Especially if we have what is considered “hard water.” Lime and mineral deposits can clog the holes of the shower head giving us less water pressure, which means a less productive shower. Fortuanately there’s a simple bathroom cleaning tip to hand this. Warm some vinegar in a microwave and pour into a ziplock bag large enough to place your shower fixture. Leave the shower head in the warm vinegar bath for about an hour. After that time, discard the vinegar and use a toothbrush to clean off any remaining mineral deposits. Rinse in warm water.

Tip: Decal Removal
The problem with applying decals to a bathtub is that they’ll eventually need to be removed. This isn’t easy. If you’re undergoing a bathroom cleaning seach and destroy mission to eliminate decals, you’ll appreciate the following advice: Warm vinegar will loosen decal adhesive. To give the offending decals the heave-ho, saturate a thick cloth with vinegar warmed in the microwave or on the stove. Place the cloth over the decals and let sit for an hour or two. You should be able to scrape the decals away with a paint scraper. (Be careful not to scratch your tub’s finish.). If vinegar isn’t your thing, here’s another bathroom cleaning tip: try WD-40. This handy lubricant is a whiz at removing any kind of adhesive. Spray on, let sit and gently scrape away the decal. Remember, WD-40 is slippery, so be sure to prevent accidents by cleaning up with a grease fighting soap such as dishwashing liquid.

Tip: Instant Towel Rack
Are your extra bath towels stuffed into a cabinet or piled high on your vanity counter? Here’s a bathroom cleaning tip for laundry day. Fill a large basket with colorful, rolled towels and place in a corner of the bathrroom. This creats a more attractive display than folded towels on the edge of a counter and frees up precious closet space. Roll matching sets together so all of the components will be easy to find. Keep a smaller towel or cloth in a hidden part of the basket for quick daily bathroom cleaning.

Tip: Rubber Bath Mat Mold and Mildew Removal
If you’d rather not spend your bathroom cleaning time scrubbing mold and mildew from your bath mat, be sure to hang it after each use. If your bath mat has become a victim of mold and mildew, you have several recourses. You can wash it in the washing machine (cold or warm water please, and don’t put it in the dryer!) or you can use Borax to clean and disinfect. Sprinkle it on and scrub it off. Keeping the mat as dry as possible between uses is the key to mold and mildew prevention.

Tip: Grout Mold and Mildew Removal
When cleaning a bathroom, be sure to pay particular attention to grout which can harbor mold or mildew if not properly maintained. If mildew does start to creep up on you, try cleaning with a dilute solution of chlorine bleach in water (one cup bleach to three cups water, increasing the bleach as necessary). Spray or sponge it on, wait a few minutes, then rinse well with clean water. Commercial mildew remover sprays can also be used. When using chemicals for cleaning bathroom tiles, be sure to wear rubber gloves and rinse the area well after cleaning. A less hazardous method is to use a peroxide based cleaner, such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate. Wet the area, spray Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate on the mildew, wait a few minutes then scrub with an old toothbrush. If the stains are particularly stubborn, you may want to use a stronger dilution of Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate.

Tip: Sink, Tub and Toilet Porcelain Stain Removal
Giving a good all over bathroom cleaning means more than just cleaning bathroom tiles. A paste of baking soda and peroxide will help remove stains from porcelain tubs, sinks and toilets.Apply the past to the stain and let sit for about thirty minutes The stains should disappear. You could also try cleaning a bathroom by saturating paper towels with bleach or a peroxide based cleaner, such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate, and place the towels over the stains for 30 minutes. Rinse well.

Tip: Homemade Glass and Window Cleaner
Cleaning a bathroom window effectively isn’t easy. Soap and minerals can build up causing the window to take on a hazy look. Here’s a bathroom cleaning tip for those who prefer economical homemade alternatives to over the counter cleaners. Mix one part vinegar to two parts water, pour into a spray bottle and use just as you would a more conventional spray. For a lint-free shine, wipe the windows with newspaper, coffee filters or a cloth diaper.

Tip: Bandage Residue Removal from Skin
When a bandage is removed from skin, it tends to leave behind an unsightly gray residue. To remove remove sticky bandage remains from the skin, try rubbing the area with WD-40, olive oil or Avon’s Skin so Soft. This method also works for cleaning bathroom tile.

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