Washing and Drying a Rubber Backed Floor Mat.

Washing and Drying a Floor Mat with Rubber Backing

Bath mats are standard items most of us use in our bathrooms. Many of us use the non-skid type that has a rubber backing to protect from slipping. But how often do you wash your bathmats?

It’s something that many of us don’t always think about doing on a regular basis. And if you do you wash it on a somewhat regular basis, do you wash it in a way that won’t damage the rubber backing?

Believe it or not, some manufacturers recommend washing before use to remove any residual smells leftover from the factory. Many of us would never know this because we don’t take the time to read the care label on our bath mats.

If you are careful in the way you wash and dry a bathroom floor mat with rubber backing, they can last quite a long time before you need to replace one.

Why Wash the Bath Mat and How Often?

If you’ve read some of our other articles on cleaning bathrooms then you know the bathroom is the perfect environment and breeding ground for mold, mildew and other bacteria. Bathrooms are damp, can have a lot of humidity, some don’t have enough air flow, and they are low light areas. This not only applies to the shower and tub, sink and floors but the floor coverings as well.

How often you wash bath mats depends on whom and how many family members are using the bathroom. If you have kids of various ages sharing a bathroom, you may have to wash the bath mats more frequently than you would in the master bathroom.

How to Wash the Bath Mat

Most bathroom mats can be washed but you should still check the label. If you bought your bathroom rug from a second hand store and it doesn’t have a label, these steps will come in handy. I will always wash two or more bathmats at a time.

1. Take bath mats outside and give them a good shaking to remove as much hair, paper and lint as you can before washing.
2. If necessary, apply a small amount of stain removal product. I use hydrogen peroxide if needed. If you have a colored bathmat, test a small area in the corner prior to using.
3. Place bathmats in the washing machine, add laundry soap, and use a gentle, cold water setting.
4. If you are treating for stain removal, let washer fill with water before adding any additives other than laundry soap.
5. If needed, you can add baking soda for odor removal and borax to help disinfect bath mats. About 1/ 2 cup per load.

Note: Don’t use a hot water setting or chlorine bleach as it could (overtime) loosen glue and breakdown the rubber backing. I also don’t over stuff when washing bathmats, I will wash two or three at a time.

How to Dry a Rubber Backed Bath Mat

If possible, take the bath mat outside and let the good ol’ air and sunshine dry the mat. Just hang over the fence or a chair.

If it’s not possible to use the power of the sun, then you’ll want to put them in the dryer for a little bit.

1. Use a gentle low heat or air dry setting for about 20 minutes. Too high of a heat setting will damage the rubber backing.
2. Don’t let them sit wrinkled up in the dryer, remove them immediately.
3. If still a little too wet, let them tumble in the dryer for another 10 to 20 minutes.

They may not be completely dry so you can hang them on a rack to dry completely.

Alternative Ways to Wash a Bath Mat

If you don’t want to wash the mats in the washing machine, you can always take them outdoors and rinse them with the hose. Just treat if necessary for stain removal as mentioned above, let sit for 10 minutes or so, then gently rinse with water – use a light spray setting.

In Between Cleanings

If there are only a couple of people in the house and the bathroom floor mat does not need washing often, at least once week or every couple of weeks, take it outside, shake it out, and if it’s a nice day – leave it out to soak up the fresh air and sunshine.

If you’ve had problems in the past with the rubber backing breaking down or peeling off, a careful washing and drying can keep it looking good for a long time.

The post How to Wash Bathroom Rugs with Rubber Backing appeared first on House Cleaning Central.

What Germs and Bacteria are Lurking in Your Bathroom.

Does Your Bathroom Harbor Germs and Bacteria

The fact is, the bathroom harbors germs, and they are everywhere. I mean our bodies carry germs; I think I’m a pretty clean person but germs cannot be avoided.

In the bathroom alone there are many places that are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria due to the presence of moisture and humidity. Some common areas are:

• Toothbrush holders
• The shower floor
• The toilet bowl, seat and the toilet handle
• Your bath towel and hand towels
• The faucet handles
• Doorknobs
• Shower curtains
• Bath mats
• The bathroom fan

When you think about how many times you’re in a bathroom and how many times your hands touch your face; it’s kind of gross to think about what you might be leaving behind.

Most of us clean the bathroom weekly, maybe even more often than that, which helps tremendously when it comes to germs and bacteria, but if you don’t and many people; family and friends, are using the bathroom the chances increase for germs and bacteria to spread.

What are the Worst Germs Found in Your Bathroom?

As I’ve already said, if you clean the bathroom regularly and if you wash your hands after each potty break, there is little possibility of the worst of the germs affecting your living space. But for those who aren’t so inclined to clean regularly, well there are several types of germs that could make you sick.

The Porcelain Throne a.k.a. the Toilet

I think we’ve all heard the stories of how dirty a toilet can be and it’s real if left unclean. Some of the viruses that can happen are:

1. Enteric bacteria can cause gastroenteritis which causes your stomach and intestines to become irritated and inflamed leaving you with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
2. Gastrointestinal illness is a virus caused by feces which poor hygiene habits can leave traces on toilet seats, countertops, and faucets. The simple act of flushing the toilet can cause sprays of water that can release bacteria into the air and be contaminated with fecal matter.

Other bacteria found around toilets that can be spread are salmonella and E-coli. These bacteria can be eliminated by simply cleaning weekly, maybe more often if there are several people sharing a bathroom.

What Bacteria Lurks in Your Shower?

Oh that nice warm shower, how good it feels in the morning to wake us up and sometimes in the evening to wash off the dirt and sweat of the day.

Moisture and warmth in the shower or bathtub create an ideal environment for bacteria and fungi to grow and thrive. Areas with grout or caulking can be particularly susceptible to mold and mildew growth.

The bacteria in the shower will most likely not threaten most people but could possibly cause a problem with someone who is not so healthy or has a weekend immune system.

The one item in the shower that gets overlooked even by the best of us is the shower head. It’s a great spot for bacteria and biofilms to thrive. Below is a link to Cleaning the Shower Head.

Cleaning a Shower Head

Having a shower that is not clean and shared by others can also aggravate allergies and asthma symptoms.

Is There Bacteria on Bathroom Towels

There are many of us that reuse our bath towels and hang them to dry afterwards. Although dead skin cells and bacteria will accumulate, as long as the towel is allowed to dry afterwards, bacteria growth is slowed.

I might use my towel twice before washing but honestly, I wouldn’t let it go more than a few days. Hand towels on the other hand, now that’s a different story.

Hand towels are used frequently to dry our hands and can become heavily soiled with dead skin cells and makeup. Quite often hand towels are wetter than a bath towel and instead of being hung to dry; hand towels are left bunched on the counter where they are not drying out as well which means more bacteria and mold can grow on the surface.

Potentially, there can be many disease causing bacteria on towels like e-coli and salmonella and when the towel is wet they can grow fast over just a few days and can also transfer bacteria to your body when used.

The Bathroom Sink

Think of all the things that go down the bathroom sink drain, we spit in the drain, rinse a razor over the drain, soap from washing our hands goes down the drain, skin cells and more creating a buildup of bacteria and slime.

The faucet handles are touched frequently throughout the day which makes them prone to contamination and bacteria from dirty hands, splashes from brushing your teeth, and skin cells from shaving can accumulate on the surface of faucets.

Again, for most of us it won’t cause a problem but it could for some. When you clean the bathroom every so often think about cleaning the drain.

Cleaning the Sink Drain Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

This in an effective and popular DIY method for cleaning the sink drain. The supplies you will need are:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Kettle or pot of boiling water

First remove any hair or other debris from around the drain. Use an old toothbrush to remove any dried gunk from around the drain as well. After doing this then:

• Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain.
• Follow this with white vinegar, pour 1 cup down the drain. You’ll notice the fizzy reaction that occurs when these two meet. This can help to break down buildup and residue in the drain.
• Cover the drain with a rag and let sit about 10 to 15 minutes.
• While the baking soda and vinegar are doing their thing, boil about 4 cups of water. Carefully take this to the sink and pour it down the drain to help dislodge any debris and further clean the inside of the drain.
• Run hot water from the faucet for a few minutes to flush out.

Cleaning the P-Trap of a Sink Drain

This is also an important step to clear clogs and help remove odors and bacteria. The P-trap is the “U” shape piece of pipe beneath the sink. Here is how you can clean the P-trap:

• Place bucket under the P-trap to catch any debris and water.
• With a pair of cleaning gloves on, loosen the slip nuts on either side of the P-trap.
• Carefully remove the P-trap and empty any contents in the bucket. You may see hair, soap residue, black slime, etc.
• In another bucket, partially fill with warm water and vinegar (50/50) and clean the inside of the P-trap to remove any residue.
• Put the P-trap on and tighten the slip nuts securely but don’t over tighten.
• Run water for a few minutes to flush out any remaining debris and to make sure there is no leakage.

While the P-trap is off, check the connecting pieces of pipe for any debris, the drain pipe (directly under the sink) and tailpiece (directly behind the P-trap).

I have used an old wire coat hanger (I still have a few as they do come in handy at times) and wrapped an old cleaning rag around it to carefully insert and clean these pipes (tape the end of the rag so it doesn’t slip off).

Are There Germs on the Soap Dispenser?

Yes and it’s a surface we don’t ever think to clean. I mean, we use soap to help kill bacteria right? Soap dispensers can also become contaminated with bacteria growing on the surface, especially the pump part that dispenses the soap. So be sure to pay attention to the soap dispenser as well.

What Lies on the Bathroom Floor?

It’s the bath mat. It just sits there on the floor damp from us getting out of the shower providing a lovely place for bacteria to live.

And what about athlete’s foot fungus? With many people sharing a bathroom, walking in and out barefoot increases the risk of this type of fungus to spread to floor surfaces.

In order to eliminate bacteria and foot fungus, be sure to wash bath mats and floors regularly.

Where Else Can Bacteria and Germs be Found?

I may have listed these in the beginning but again, other places in the bathroom where germs and bacteria can be left behind are light switches, doorknobs, drawer pulls, cabinets and countertops.

Here is another article on cleaning the bathroom:

Step by Step Instructions on Cleaning the Bathroom

The majority of us keep a clean home and the dangers of serious germs and bacteria affecting our health are eliminated when we clean on a regular basis. But for those who aren’t as diligent, I hope after reading about the possible dangers of having an unclean bathroom, you clean more often.

The post Cleaning Germs and Bacteria in the Bathroom appeared first on House Cleaning Central.

Cleaning Jetted Tubs.

How to Clean a Whirlpool Bathtub

I love my whirlpool bathtub. There is nothing more relaxing than a nice warm tub, jets massaging my aching muscles away.

A long time ago I joined a gym, not only for getting a good work out, but for the sauna and jacuzzi. Little did I know (then) that I was putting myself at risk for infection and disease.

Now I have my own work out equipment, sauna and a whirlpool tub. They’ve all paid for themselves in rest, relaxation and peace of mind.

I can work out in the comfort of my own home; relax in the sauna with a good book, then ease into bubbling warm water.

Because I have a whirlpool bathtub, I know the importance of keeping my tub clean. For the health of myself and my family, I clean mine regularly.

Why a Whirlpool Bathtub Needs To Be Cleaned

Most people don’t realize that bath water never completely drains from jetted tubs.

When you turn the jets back on for your next bath, there may be bacteria, skin cells, dirty water, and even traces of a slimy buildup called a biofilm that has built up from from the bacteria and germs from your previous baths will be discharged in your new clean bathwater.

Cleaning the system on a regular basis (based on how often you use the tub) will help your system run cleaner for a longer period of time.

What Causes Hazardous Bacteria

Bill Soukup, President, Scientific Biofilm Solutions states that jetted bathtubs have about 15 to 20 feet of plumbing lines that run underneath the tub where warm stagnant water remains after each bath; this makes it the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold and mildew to grow.

Because waters sits, the inside of plumbing lines forms a slime – technically called biofilm. This biofilm must be cleaned and removed to insure the safety of tub users.

Biofilm is a complex living organism that provides protection; like an armored shield for bacteria, from chemicals such as vinegar, lemons, bleach, detergents, etc. It takes specialized cleaners to safely and effectively clean jetted tubs. One product you can use is called Oh Yuk – A jetted bathtub cleaner.

The Germs May Cause Serious Disease

The University of Bozeman’s Center for Biofilm Engineering has studies showing special chemicals must be used to effectively deal with biofilm.

University studies by Microbiologist Dr. Rita B. Moyes at Texas A & M University show that improperly cleaned jetted tubs have very high levels of bacteria.

“81 percent had fungi and 34 percent contained staphylococcus, which can cause deadly staph infections.”

She adds “such harmful bacteria can lead to numerous diseases, among them urinary tract infections, septicemia, pneumonia and several types of skin infections. Because of the aerosol mist created by the whirlpool action, microbes are forced into the lungs or open cuts. One type of bacteria, L. pneumophila, can cause Legionnaires Disease, of which 90 percent of all cases can be traced back to bacteria developed from a warm environment.”

“That’s probably because a hot tub or whirlpool as a source of infection can’t be clearly distinguished from other sources. An example might be when you develop a respiratory infection. The doctor can tell you that you do have a respiratory infection, but he or she can’t tell you how you got it.”

I cringe at the thought of all those I was exposed to while soaking in a Jacuzzi at the gym.

Oh Yuk!

How to Clean the Tub Surface

Many whirlpool tubs today are made of fiberglass or acrylic surfaces, which are pretty easy surfaces to clean. Simply use your favorite non-abrasive cleaner on the tubs surface to clean and remove soap scum and dirt.

• Wipe on the cleaner with a cotton cloth or sponge to clean off soap scum and other surface dirt.
• Rinse well and dry with a clean cloth.

If over time the surface of your tub has developed small superficial scratches or has become dulled, you can make it look new again by using a liquid polisher like Gel-Gloss.

Cleaning the Jets

What to keep in mind when purchasing a product for your jetted tub:

• The product should be able to remove biofilm.
• It must be designed to clean jetted tubs.
• Look for a cleaner without excessive foaming or strong odors.
• Some cleaners may take just a few minutes to effectively clean the tubs while others may take an hour or two.

General Cleaning

Fill the bathtub with warm water, covering the jets. Run the jets for at least 15 minutes. Drain the tub as usual.

Heavy Duty Cleaning, Flushing the Whirlpool System

Cleaning the jets of your whirlpool tub isn’t difficult, but it does take about half an hour of your time. These are the steps the manufacturer of my tub recommends to clean my whirlpool bathtub.

1. Fill the tub with warm water until the water level reaches about two inches above the jets.
2. Run the system with the jets on for a few minutes.
3. Add the jetted tub system cleaner (such as Oh Yuk) according to manufacturers instructions.
4. After the jets have had the chance to circulate the cleaning solution through the system, drain the tub.
5. Refill and run clean water through the system for another 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Dry the tub surface.

Even though water will remain in the bathtub pipes until your next bath, the procedure will rinse away any dangerous germs, bacteria, soap scum, body oils, dead skin cells, mold, mildew and any other thing we don’t want in our bathtub.

Removing Mold, Mildew and Soap Scum from Jets

Use a long handled cotton swab or an old toothbrush dipped in vinegar to clean mildew and soap scum from around the jets. A good time to do this is after you have done a thorough cleaning of the inner workings of the bathtub.

Preventing Bacteria and Germs in your Jetted Whirlpool Tub

1. Wipe down the tub after each use to remove soap scum and body oils.
2. Depending on how often you use your tub, you should run the tub through a cleaning cycle after 5 baths or so.
3. Manufacturers recommend to run fresh water through the jets after each bath to help remove soap scum, oils, hair, skin cells, etc.

That makes total sense to me!

A Job Well Done!

Considering how much we love a relaxing soak in the tub, the job is not so hard and the benefits are numerous.

Why don’t you treat yourself to a nice long soak right now? I think I will!

The post How to Clean a Whirlpool Bathtub appeared first on House Cleaning Central.

How to Clean and Remove Black Mold

I don’t like any type of mold, but because I live in Seattle, WA. (If you haven’t heard we are famous for our endless rain), I’ve had to accept a co-existence with mold and mildew, even if it’s only temporary.

Because mold, mildew, moss, fungus and anything else associated with a damp and dark environment are common here, I’ve become quite good at cleaning it up.

It’s pretty easy to remove mold in just about every situation. (Not all, but we’ll get to that.)

Honestly, I kind of laugh when I go to the home improvement store and see all of the the specialty cleaning products for removing mold and mildew. They most often contain 1 single ingredient that you most likely already have in your home.

Are you ready to get busy, then? Let’s kill, clean and remove any stains from a black mold problem that is causing you grief!

Types of Black Mold

Before you get started, you need to find out some mold facts before removing it.

There are two types of black mold:

1. Common black mold that grows in damp, dark areas like other types of mold.
2. Stachybotrys black mold that grows on products made of cellulose.

Several years ago there was a show on mold that really terrified people. Contrary to popular belief, Stachybotrys black mold has not been proven to be the dangerous health hazard that the media has exploited. According to the Center for Disease and Prevention “There is always a little mold everywhere – in the air and on many surfaces. There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the toxigenic mold and these conditions has not been proven.”

So the bottom line is that any kind of mold can cause respiratory issues, irritate the mucous membranes, cause headaches, confusion, difficulty in concentrating and dizziness.

There is a health hazard when people with low immunity or breathing difficulty are exposed to mold. This is especially true when there are large quantities of mold, or exposure is constant such as when found when water is leaking into a room and the area is permanently damp.

Cleaning Precautions

Even though mold growing in your shower or bathroom isn’t usually toxic, you will still want to take precautions when cleaning it, especially in a large area.

Mold spores can be released into the air when disturbed. Any type of mold spores can cause skin and respiratory irritation.

Use a dust/face masks that you can use to cover your nose and mouth.

If you are concerned about airborne particles contaminating your face, you can purchase N95 rated masks from your local home improvement stores that can offer a bit more protection.

I use dust masks frequently when using a spray bottle because I don’t want to inhale any cleaning solutions.

Tools and Supplies Needed

Tools:

• A pair of thick rubber or latex-free gloves
• A face mask or respirator
• A bucket filled with a mixture of one gallon of warm water and ½ cup of bleach
• A spray bottle that you will use only for this purpose
• A sponge with a scrubby side

Cleaning Solution

Under normal circumstances you can use vinegar or another type of acidic liquid to kill mold in your shower or bathroom.

But vinegar won’t remove stains, so you’ll need to use chlorine bleach to remove them. Chlorine bleach will sterilize any surface and remove mold, mildew, fungus, bacteria AND viruses.

Make a cleaning solution of:

• 8 cups warm water
• 2 cups chlorine bleach
• 1/4 cup of non-ammonia liquid laundry detergent

CAUTION: Remember to never mix bleach with any other cleaning products unless the manufacturer specifically allows for its use. Bleach combined with other chemicals may create a potentially deadly chlorine gas.

Mold in the Tub or Shower

1. Put gloves and the face mask on. You don’t want either the mold spores or the bleach to come into contact with your skin or lungs.

2. Pour the water and bleach mixture you mixed into the spray bottle

3. Spray the tiles and don’t forget to spray areas that are hard to get to, like under the step or shower door, in the corners where the walls meet the floor, inside the soap dish, etc.

4. Scrub the tiles down with the scrubby side of the sponge and then wipe with the sponge side.

5. If mold still clings to the tiles, spray them again with the solution and continue scrubbing.

6. Depending on how long the black mold has been growing, you may have to repeat these steps several times.

Mold on Patio Furniture

You can also use the bleach and water mixture to kill black mold that grows on patio furniture.

Instead of a scrubby sponge, it’s best to use a soft bristled brush to get into cracks and crevasses.

Put the cleaning solution you have mixed in a spray bottle or in a bucket as you prefer.

1. Either spray the furniture with the cleaning solution or dip a soft bristle brush in the solution in your bucket
2. Scrub the furniture with the brush and rinse very well
3. Allow the furniture to dry in the sun

Heavy Duty Cleaning

If you have heavy build-up of the black mold, or you want to kill it for good, you need to use stronger cleaning solutions.

I can recommend 3 products:

Tilex disintegrates and removes mold and mildew with just one spray. It kills 99.9% of household mold & mildew and eliminates stains before your eyes. It contains Clorox bleach so don’t use it on fabric or materials that will be damaged by chlorine bleach.

The other is called Mold Armor. It’s a mold and mildew stain remover plus a mold growth blocker that removes mildew stains and provides effective long term mold and mildew stain prevention. (Helpful for those of us that have long term damp conditions.)

We all know that prevention is best.

If you have and area that is prone to the growth of mold and mildew, but you are unable to correct the cause of the growth completely, such as in the basement which frequently has a lack of sunlight, stagnant air, damp air and possibly high environmental moisture levels- there’s a product called DampRid that absorbs water out of the air, making the environment less prone to mold and mildew.

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Cleaning Bathroom Mold and Mildew and Ideas for Preventing it.

How to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew in the Bathroom

If you’re having trouble getting rid of mold and mildew, you’re not alone. Mold and mildew thrives in dark, damp places with high humidity and low ventilation, so it’s the bane of every bathroom cleaner.

Mold and mildew will grow in the shower, on the tub, tiles, walls and floor. It grows quickly in areas with standing water, but given enough time and the right conditions, mold and mildew will even grow on shower curtains and painted walls too.

Soap scum, skin and body oils (yuck!), and any other decaying material- even rotting wood or certain chemicals will fuel its growth in the right environment.

Learn how to remove and prevent bathroom mold and mildew with these cleaning tips.

Regular Cleaning

Fortunately cleaning bathroom mold and mildew can be easy to clean.

Vinegar and Water

Vinegar has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is an effective way to treat mildew.

Mold and mildew will not grow in an acidic environment. Plain white vinegar is a mild acid, it kills mold and mildew and makes the environment less hospitable for further growth.

Because vinegar is a natural deodorizer, once it dries the bathroom will not just look better, it will smell better too.

Start by using a mixture of 50/50 white vinegar and water. Pour ½ cup of each into a spray bottle and shake. Spray on all of the surfaces in the shower, let stand for 5 to 10 minutes and then wipe it all down with a damp sponge.

Avoid the use of vinegar on natural stone surfaces as it is slightly acidic and could damage the surface.

Heavy Duty Cleaning

Vinegar Only

If you are cleaning a heavy build up, use 100 percent undiluted plain white vinegar. Pour it in a spray bottle, spray the shower and let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Use a pot scrubber with plastic bristles, grout brush or an old toothbrush to clean it up before rinsing and wiping it down.

Chlorine Bleach

Dilute ¼ to ½ cups of household bleach per each gallon of water used. Spray on the tiles and scrub with a plastic bristle brush. When you are finished scrubbing, rinse completely to remove all traces because any remaining bleach will make surfaces slippery.

If you’re working in a very small bathroom without much air circulation, turn on the fan, open a window and you may want to wear a mask and gloves to keep any splashes of bleach from getting in your eyes and on your skin.

Never mix bleach with any other cleaner especially ammonia, as this will create potentially deadly fumes.

How to Wash a Shower Curtain Liner

Over time the shower curtain liner will get dirty with soap scum, bacteria and mold and mildew. But instead of throwing it away, you can wash it in the washing machine.

When washing the liner, add in some towels that need washing as well. Along with your regular detergent add in one cup white vinegar but don’t use a fabric softener. Wash on a normal or delicate cycle on either hot or warm water.

Do not put the shower curtain liner in the dryer, hang it back on the shower curtain rod to dry.

Wiping Down Bathroom Walls

Bathroom walls with over time get condensation from steam. Every now and again wipe down bathroom painted walls with a vinegar and water mixture to avoid mold and mildew in the future.

Preventing Mold and Mildew

There are things you can do to prevent mold and mildew regrowth. The way to do this is to change the environmental conditions in the bathroom: reduce dampness, increase air circulation and light.

1. Reduce Humidity: Use the fan when bathing or showering, and leave it after you are finished until all traces of dampness are removed from the air.

2. Increase Light: Keep the light on, open the window curtains to let the daylight in.

3. Increase Air Flow: Open the window if you can to let some fresh air in. This will increase air circulation which reduces odors as well.

4. Keep it Dry: If you make it a habit to dry the tub or shower after using it the mold and mildew will not have a chance to grow. A small squeegee is really helpful in removing all traces of water after showing.

5. Keep it Clean: An after shower wipe down also removes remaining debris on the shower or tub walls and floor so there will not be a food source for it to grow on.

Related Articles:

Cleaning the Toilet

Getting Rid of Germs in the Bathroom

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How to Clean the Inside of Your Toilet Tank

Have you ever taken a good look inside your toilet tank? Probably not, unless the water in your toilet is running, become discolored, smelly, the chain or lever has broken or you decide to put in one of those tablet cleaners.

Especially if you live in an area with hard water, bacteria can grow in the dark water tank. Minerals and iron will feed bacteria which will grow into slimy blobs attached to the sides of the tank. The bacteria can be yellow, orange, red, brown, rusty colored, black or green.

Dirt, grime and bacteria can cause odors, corrode the gaskets, and even plug up the toilet, so it is important to keep the inside of your toilet and the water in it clean.

If your toilet tank is grungy and dirty, get your heavy duty cleaning gloves on. We’re going to take care of that dirt, grime, odors and bacteria!

Step 1. Drain the Water From The Tank

Don’t stick your hands into a full tank to clean it. You need to drain the tank before you begin.

First, shut off the water by turning the valve located on the bottom of the toilet near the back wall, and flush the toilet until all the water in the tank drains out. You may need to flush twice, just make sure to drain the tank completely.

Step 2. Disinfecting the Inside of The Tank

Disinfect the tank to remove germs and bacteria. Spray the inside of the tank with a disinfectant like Lysol or chlorine bleach. Let the disinfectant sit for about a half an hour before continuing with your cleaning job.

Step 3. Removing Heavy Bacteria Build Up

If you have a large amount of slimy yuck left after the water has drained from the tank, you can spray (or pour) straight chlorine bleach on it.

Be careful and don’t get the bleach on you or anything other than the inside of the toilet tank. The chlorine bleach will not just sterilize the tank, it will break up and liquefy bacteria too.

Then run a gallon or two of plain cold water through the tank and toilet and flush until all of the bleach has been flushed through the toilet and it’s gone from the tank.

Step 4. Removing Built Up Dirt and Grime

Put your gloves on and grab your toilet brush, or other plastic soft bristle brush to remove dirt and grime from the corners, crevices and along the walls of the toilet tank.

Step 5. Removing Mineral Deposits

All water has dissolved mineral solids in it at various percentages. Lime, calcium, magnesium are a few common minerals in our water that come to mind. Hard water mineral deposits will form on the inside of your toilet tank (and toilet bowl) given enough time and a high enough mineral level in the water.

If you have mineral deposits in the tank, you can use plain white vinegar inside the tank (pour it into the empty tank up to the top of the overflow tube). Replace the lid and let the vinegar sit unused for 12 hours or longer if the deposits are heavy. You can also pour some straight vinegar in the toilet bowl if it has hard water build up too.

Vinegar is a mild acid and will dissolve those deposits and make them easier to brush away. When the time is up, scrub the tank with a toilet brush and flush.

Step 6. Removing Mold and Mildew

Most of the mold and mildew should have been removed with normal cleaning. You can keep it from coming back by keeping to a regular cleaning schedule or by using a chlorine bleach tablet at regular intervals.

Step 7. Keeping Your Toilet Tank Clean

Regular use of cleaning product “tablets” that are dropped into the tank contain chemicals that can degrade your seals, gaskets and fixtures at a faster rate than normal.

Once a rubber seal gets brittle and cracks the water will run continuously in the toilet until the assembly is replaced.

Cleaning inside toilet tanks only takes a few minutes and really only needs to be tackled once or twice a year, but it can go a long way to keeping your toilet in good working order, clean and odor free.

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How to Clean the Bathroom and Keep it Clean

While we’d all love a sparkling clean bathroom like those put in the spotlight on commercials, few of us are able to make this claim. Even though this is the room where we escape to tidy up, the fact remains it takes time with all the different surfaces and how often it’s used throughout a day.

If you’re like me, it’s not one of my favorite rooms in the house to clean. Fortunately, there are ways you can keep bathroom surfaces spic and span using natural cleaning products.

You may have to do some serious deep cleaning first, but if you follow some tips for efficiency from there on out, you can make cleaning the bathroom a breeze.

Get the Deep Cleaning Out of the Way

Go ahead and bite the bullet to get the deep cleaning done first. If it’s been a time since you and your bathroom have gone face-to-face, the process might take a while. After this, you’re in a great position to efficiently and quickly clean the bathroom, and keep it clean for much longer if you keep up on it.

Below are some natural recipes and tips to speed up the cleaning job and make it much more efficient.

Natural Homemade Cleaning Recipes

This recipe is good for cleaning countertops, tile, showers, soap scum, cabinets, mirrors, some floors and toilets and it’s natural.

White Vinegar and Water

• 1 Cup White Vinegar
• 1 Gallon Water

Mix the vinegar with the water. Vinegar is natural disinfectant and deodorizer. And don’t worry about the smell, it will dissipate quickly. Using this on floors will leave them squeaky clean and your countertops sparkling. There is no rinsing involved as no filmy residue is left behind.

If you have any marble in your bathroom, take care not to let the vinegar come in contact with it. Vinegar is acidic and can etch and dull your beautiful marble finish permanently If it does come in contact, rinse immediately.

Baking Soda Paste

A baking soda paste is a good way to clean the shower tiles, tub and sink from gunk such as: dried shampoo, soaps, toothpaste, etc.

Simply mix water into the baking soda and make a paste with a consistency like toothpaste. Maybe not so thick.

Cleaning Bathroom Tub, Tiles, Grout and Sink

Use a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water to clean the tub and surrounding tiles. Using this on a regular basis will help cut back on the soap scum. I actually keep a spray bottle in the shower and use it periodically after my shower to clean before using the squeegee.

The baking soda paste can be used for weekly cleanings.

For cleaning grout, pour hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle; just enough to get the job done as it will turn to water when exposed to light (that’s why it’s in a dark bottle). First sprinkle baking soda on the grout then spray with the hydrogen peroxide and gently scrub with a toothbrush or grout brush.

Cleaning Shower Doors

Standard white vinegar is an excellent solution for water spotted, stained shower doors. Using the recipe above for shower doors, spray the doors, leave for about 30 minutes then wipe down, rinse. Repeat if necessary before drying.

A damp Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works wonders also. Be sure to rinse with plain water and dry.

Cleaning the Toilet

The vinegar and water solution can work wonders here. If stains are particularly bad, use straight vinegar and let it sit for a time before cleaning. Finish off cleaning the toilet by scrubbing thoroughly.

If stains are not coming out, try the baking soda mixture or gently use a pumice stone. Just keep the pumice stone wet or it will scratch the porcelain and cause is to get rough and dull which can then quickly cause staining. If you have a colored toilet, a pumice stone can scratch the surface.

Do not use a pumice stone on a fiberglass, plastic, marble or laminate surfaces.

Cleaning Bathroom Floors

Using the vinegar and water recipe can deep clean most floors quickly and offer a sanitizing effect. Keep in mind that marble and vinegar do not mix well.

Cleaning Bathroom Countertops

Again, using vinegar and water works well here. If you have granite or marble counters, however, don’t use this solution.

For granite and marble surfaces, all you really need is plain water to clean then dry the surface. If you need a little something more, in a spray bottle mix warm water and a gentle dish soap then rinse and dry.

Cleaning Mirrors and Glass

The vinegar and water solution will work well here. It’s best to use a lint-free cloth or brown packing paper, a clean cotton sock pulled over your hand works good to.

Spray the cloth first to avoid drips/spray from the cleaning mixture getting behind the mirror. This is especially true if you have a framed mirror, over time could damage it.

More Tips for Maintaining Your Clean Bathroom

You can make the job much easier by using these tips:

Reduce Humidity in the Bathroom

Mold and mildew can thrive in bathrooms. Poor air circulation, high humidity, warm environment and low light make an ideal environment for mold and mildew.

To reduce the humidity in the bathroom, use the fan and if you have a window, open it a bit to help with circulation.

Drying Surfaces After Use

Finished in the shower? Always squeegee whenever possible in the bathroom shower. If you don’t have a squeegee, just grab an extra towel and quickly wipe down any wet areas on the floor, walls and shower door after each use. This will help reduce the buildup of dirt and soap scum. That’s always a good thing!

If you have granite or marble surfaces, be sure to wipe them down as standing water, product chemicals can dull, etch and mar surfaces.

Multitasking

Give the toilet bowl a quick brushing while you’re waiting for the shower to heat up in the morning. Wipe down counters while you’re brushing your teeth. Wipe down the sink quickly after each use.

Mopping Regularly

Just run the mop through the bathroom about once a week to keep up with what a quick towel drying doesn’t handle.

Using a rug can also help keep makeup, hairspray and other beauty products from hitting the floor surface.

Keep Soap Scum from Shower Walls and Glass Shower Doors

Wiping rain-x can on shower walls and glass shower door can help prevent soap scum and hard water stain buildup. Just be careful not to get it on the floor as it is very slippery.

Use Liquid Body Soap

Use liquid soap in the shower instead of bar soap. Soap scum forms with the regular use of bar soap combined with body oils, skin and other debris.

Keep the Drains Clean

Pour about 1 cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with 1 cup of white vinegar. Cover drain and let sit for 15 minutes. Boil a full tea kettle or if you don’t have one of those, boil about 4 cups water then carefully pour the water down the drain to help dislodge any gunk.

This can be done to any drain in the house.

Keeping a bathroom clean doesn’t have to be impossible or overly time consuming. Just get the deep cleaning out of the way and use efficient maneuvers the rest of the time to maintain a sparkling appearance.

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How to Remove Hard Water Stains in the Toilet

On the average, most of us keep a clean and tidy home.

But there have been instances when we have gone in to do a move in or move out cleaning and the place looks like it hasn’t been cleaned for quite a while.

These are the homes where our maids are really put to the test. It’s hard work – but they get the scrubbing done and we’re proud of them.

So when we’re asked the question “how to remove hard water stains from the toilet”, we’ve got the answer and can help you get the job done right.

There are different ways to tackle hard water stains. Follow me down the page and I’ll give you several options to clean the toilet so you can achieve a whiter than white clean!

How to Clean a Toilet

It’s not one of the most glorious jobs and I don’t really like to clean it and I’m sure you don’t much like it either. But when it’s dirty and needs to be cleaned – it has to be done – hard water stains and all.

What is Hard Water Build Up?

If you have never come into contact with this before it can be a bit shocking if not downright scary.

Hard water build up can show as a discolored, raised ring inside the toilet bowl that does not come clean with normal (or even heavy duty) scrubbing.

The buildup comes from minerals in the water. Over time and with evaporation the minerals are deposited on the inside of the toilet tank.

Cleaning these types of stains does involve some scrubbing, but don’t worry too much, the stains will come off.

Trust me, in my days of professional cleaning, I have come into contact with all sorts of toilets in varying degrees of “dirty” that can be transformed.

Drain the Tank First

Turn off the water supply to the toilet. Cleaning products will work better when used directly on the stain. The water in the tank would dilute the cleaning solution, making your job harder.

Removing excess water will also help avoid splashing when scrubbing, leaving less water on the floor and on you.

How to Turn off the Water to the Toilet

• Find the valve behind the toilet where the water supply goes into the wall. Turn the valve to the off position and then flush once or twice to remove all the water in the toilet tank.
• Make a point to listen for running water after flushing, if you hear water you have not shut the valve off completely.
• Once all the water has drained from the bowl, put on some gloves, find the problem spots, and get ready to do some serious cleaning!

What Cleaners should you Use?

How ever you decide to clean, using all natural products, heavy duty cleaners or a combination of both, there are product choices out there that can work amazingly well.

I know when we clean houses; I like to use different products. If not just to switch up the routine, but to make cleaning more interesting – if cleaning can be more interesting.

Here are some of the natural cleaning products we have found that can adversely affect most stains and problem areas.

Pumice Stones

Pumice stones are the gold-standard for removing hard water deposits.

To use the pumice stone, do the following:

• Wet it with some of the water that is remaining in the toilet bowl after draining the tank.
• Rub at the stain with gentle and consistent pressure until the stain is gone.
• Keep the pumice stone and the bowl wet when cleaning so you don’t scratch the porcelain.

The pumice stone will leave a grainy residue that will wash off. If you have never used one before test in a small area first and you will be amazed at just how efficient this is on hard water stains.

I can’t tell you how many times this tool has returned a bright white to some of the worst stained toilet bowls.

If you have a colored toilet and haven’t used a pumice stone before you may not want to start just yet. The color is only as deep as the glaze and could be scratched if not careful.

Removing Hard Water Minerals with Vinegar

Hard water build up (minerals) are alkaline so you will need a cleaner that is acid based to remove it.

If you don’t like messing with commercial cleaners that are toxic and environmentally unsound, don’t worry, you don’t have to. Just use plain white vinegar. It’s that simple.

I really like to use vinegar for cleaning jobs. It’s safe, nontoxic, doesn’t leave a residue and it’s a natural deodorizer and disinfectant.

You’ll need at least 1 gallon of plain white vinegar for this job.

• Pour white vinegar straight into the bowl and brush it around where the stains are.
• Let the vinegar sit for 15 to 30 minutes then scrub again.
• I like to use a long handled brush for both obvious and hidden areas.

Vinegar has a strong odor, so you might want to open a window or turn on a fan. If you have pets or small children in the house, close the bathroom door to keep them out.

Be careful when using vinegar, never use on marble or natural stone products as it is slightly acidic and can permanently damage the surface.

Removing Hard Water Minerals using Baking Soda Paste

Should straight vinegar not do the job, mix baking soda water until you make a paste out of it. Apply this to the stains in the bowl and scrub with a green scrubby. Leave the paste in place for 15 to 20 minutes and scrub again.

Finishing the Job

To finish the job, turn the water back on and flush the toilet. You might need to scrub the bowl and flush a time or two to get any remaining residue off the sides of the bowl.

Colored Toilet Tanks

You know the old saying “Better safe than sorry”? If you have a colored toilet, try using a soft, green scrubby when cleaning with safe products like plain white vinegar or Soft Scrub.

Colored toilets start off as white porcelain. Colored glaze is then applied and fired on. If scratched deeply, you can scratch the color off. If you are in doubt about any cleaners, check with the manufacturer.

A Word of Caution

I’ll say this again in case you didn’t read it above and because I don’t want you to ruin the surface of your colored toilet – if you’ve never used a pumice stone before, now is not the time to try.

If used to scrub to hard, or something sharp got embedded in the stone, or if not enough water is used with it, you risk scratching your toilet.

Preventing Future Stains

To avoid future staining, a good brushing of the toilet once a week will easily dislodge sediment before it has a chance to build up. It only takes a few minutes.

You can use any of the products already mentioned as well as comet or soft scrub for the more routine cleaning.
If you are on a well water system you can also avoid future staining by adding a water softener.

Now that you have gotten rid of those unsightly rings around-the-toilet and know a bit more about how to clean and get rid of hard water stains, half the bathroom battle is won!

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Cleaning the Shower Head.

How to Clean the Shower Head

Taking a shower might be the most peaceful part of your day, it is for me.

If you are like most busy women, it’s sometimes the only time you are by yourself and no one is asking you for anything. If your shower head is dirty, it can interfere with your enjoyment of this personal time.

A clogged and dirty shower head can greatly reduce the amount of water that makes it through the small openings making the water pressure feel much softer. Luckily, it’s easy enough to remedy that problem and get back to long, luxurious showers with great water pressure.

How to Remove the Shower Head

Before you get started, you should know that this job is a little bit home improvement and a little bit cleaning. You need a few tools to get the work done. Don’t be intimidated, taking off the shower head is an easy task.

Tools Needed:

• Wrench or pliers
• Teflon tape

Be sure that the water is turned off completely or you might get wet when you remove the shower head.

• Remember the saying “righty tighty, lefty loosey” when removing the shower head, so you’ll be turning it left to remove it and right to reinstall it.
• Using the wrench or pliers, you have to loosen the shower head in order to remove it from the pipe.
• It’s not a bad idea to cover the metal piece with a washcloth so you don’t scratch it when you take it off.
• If you have a shower head attached to a flexible hose, remove the whole assembly to clean it thoroughly.
• Pay attention to how the whole things comes off because pretty soon, you will be putting it back together and you want to know how that works.

Removing the Gunky Buildup

There are tons of cleaners on the market that promise to remove lime scale, calcium, rust, hard water and other deposits from faucets and showers. Many deliver on their claims to clean these items, but there are things to consider.

1. Using harsh chemicals in our homes might be a quick solution to getting the job done, but they can be costly when compared to household remedies and they get into our water supply.
2. I’m around a lot of cleaning products and the commercial products that remove calcium, lime and rust (hard water) are incredibly toxic. They have the toxic skull and cross bones warning on them and can hurt you so severely it nearly scares me to death.
3. These products are effective and they work fast, but do read all warnings, and for goodness sake, protect yourself and follow all precautions that the manufacturer recommends.

The cleaning product that you use is up to you, and a more natural approach will take a little longer, but is just as effective as harsh cleaners and won’t have a toxic effect on you or the groundwater.

If you are still not convinced that a natural cleaner can do the job, at least give it a try one time. You can always go out and spend money on those products later (but you probably won’t once you’ve seen how simple the natural way can be).

Cleaning the Shower Head with Vinegar

Once you’ve removed the showerhead, you will probably be surprised by how gross it actually looks. When you are showering, you don’t really see all the buildup on the piece because of the water coming out. A close up look shows the real story.

Here’s the natural way to get it nice and clean:

1. Fill a pot with enough white vinegar to allow the shower head to float and not touch the bottom of the pan.
2. Warm the vinegar slightly on the stove top.
3. You can skip the warming if you’d like, it will just need to soak a little longer to remove the mineral build up.
4. Immerse the shower head in the warm vinegar and allow it to soak until you see that the mineral deposits have dissipated.
5. Rinse the shower head under running water, brushing any spots that may have been left behind with an old toothbrush.
6. The shower head should be nice and clean within an hour or two and be ready to reinstall.
7. Don’t forget to clean the mesh filter before you re-assemble the showerhead.

Putting the Shower Head Back On

Now that the shower head is clean and the water will flow freely, it’s time to reinstall it in your shower. You can just reverse the process you used to remove it before you cleaned it.

Before you put the shower head back on, wrap the Teflon tape on the pipe threads to help create a watertight seal. Using Teflon tape is optional, but I like to use it because if you have a leak at the point where the shower head attaches to the pipe, it’s kind of annoying.

Teflon tape needs to be wrapped on the pipe in the opposite direction of how the shower head will be tightened back on the pipe. Wrap the tape in a counter-clockwise direction in order for it to stay on the pipe when you turn the shower head assembly clockwise.

Keeping the Shower Head Clean

You should clean your showerhead as often as necessary, but definitely do a thorough cleaning once a year or so depending on how hard your water is.

In between full cleanings, you can fill a Ziploc bag with vinegar and attach it to the shower head without removing it. This will help keep the shower head clean and free of deposits.

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How to Clean the Shower Drain

If you have ever had the unfortunate experience of standing in several inches of cloudy, soapy, water while taking a shower (and who hasn’t?) you know that it’s time to clean the shower drain.

Clogged shower drains are unavoidable and typically caused by a small blockage – hair being the number one blockage but add soap scum and dirt into the mix and the drain is bound to get clogged over time.

Most often, clogged drains can be fixed and cleaned without having to call a professional but there is always the possibility of a major obstruction in the main sewer line.

If you’ve cleaned the drains yourself and notice there is still standing water, clogs, odors then you may want the professionals to come in and take a look.

Causes of Plugged Pipes

If you’ve got anyone with long hair in your home, you know exactly how much hair can sit atop the drain on a daily basis and I know some of you know exactly what I’m talking about, the clump of hair that looks like a small animal got in the tub.

Even if you have a strainer, hair is bound to get through as well as body oil, soap residue, dirt, etc. Over time the buildup of hair, dirt and residue from shampoo, and cleaners can get stuck and can cause small blockages and sometimes big problems.

Once these get built up to a certain point, it impedes the flow of water and you find yourself in a few inches of water that won’t drain. Maintaining and keeping the shower drain clear can save you the trouble of having to call a plumber to come in and clean out the pipes.

What can you do to Unclog Drains?

There are a number of things that can be done to clear the shower drain. These suggestions can also be done on a maintenance schedule to help prevent shower drains from getting clogged.

Remember, after each shower clean the drain cover!

Snake It

In the rare case that the drain remains clogged due to additional items that somehow got down the drain, you can use a snake or drain auger that will reach into the drain and dislodge whatever is blocking the pipe.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

This is a good science lesson for the kids and its fun to watch what happens when these two ingredients come together.

• Use baking soda first by dumping about 1 cup down the drain.
• Follow this with about 1 cup of vinegar.
• After letting the kids watch the reaction; the fizzing, cover the drain with a rag to keep the mixture from completely fizzing out.
• Let sit for about 10 to 15 minutes then go boil a tea kettle full of water (or about 4 cups) and dump the hot water down the drain to dislodge and complete the process.

Using a Plunger

This one is simple and works exactly the way it does when you plunge a toilet. It’s especially effective if there is standing water in the tub when you do it. Just a few pushes on the plunger and any standing water should drain and begin flowing freely in the pipe.

Try Using a Coat Hanger

In a pinch and if you don’t have a snake, you can try an old wire coat hanger. Unravel the hanger and make a hook on one end. Use this to pull out the clogged stuff from the drain, just be careful not to push the clog further down the drain or lose the coat hanger.

Use an Enzyme Detergent

Dish soap, like Dawn, contains enzymes that break up proteins, grease and other deposits. Simply pour about a cup of Dawn dish soap down the drain and leave it to sit for at least an hour. Flush the drain with hot, hot water and the clog should be dislodged.

Keeping the Drain Clean

This is as simple as having any hair picked up after showering. Use a screen or drain basket to catch most of the hair before it goes down the drain. If the water starts draining slower, this could mean a clog is starting to build up again, be proactive and clean it using one of the methods above.

In the unlikely event that none of these work to clean out your shower drain, you may need to call a professional. Sometimes there is an actual problem with your plumbing that only a professional plumber can handle.

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