Separate Wet Materials
You probably know that mold thrives in areas of stagnant moisture. You’re also surely aware that most everything done in a bathroom requires the use of water. So it’s up to you to make sure that your shower curtains and towels stay as dry as possible when not in use. When you’re done showering, spready the curtain wide and allow it to dry properly. Don’t bunch wet towels up in the corner, or lay them on top of each other. Don’t overlook your bathmat, either; drape it over a drying rack or rod after every use.
Declutter
Your bathroom is likely full of cleansing products, deodorants, soaps, and gels – and other items which may or may not belong in the bathroom in the first place. Do you really need five different shampoos and three different bottles of body wash? Chances are you haven’t touched many of the products in your shower or cabinet in months. Chuck out anything you don’t use on a semi-daily basis. It’ll be much easier to do the deep cleaning when your bathroom is organized.
Open Windows
I’m sure you know at least one reason why you should do this. But in all seriousness, this goes back to the first point about moisture being a trap for mold. The more air that’s circulated throughout the bathroom, the dryer the entire area will be. Consider also using a fan to keep the air circulating, especially on those hazy days of summer. Just because it’s hot out doesn’t mean moisture in your bathroom will evaporate on its own.
Avoid Oil Stains or Rings
Unless you happen to know a certain hat-wearing cat, getting rings out of your bathtub isn’t exactly fun to do. Avoid them by rinsing the tub with clean, warm water immediately after taking a bath in which you used oils or salts. If the stain has already had time to set, scrub the tub with an abrasive cleaner such as Ajax. But it’s best to be proactive and make sure your tub stays spotless from the get-go.
Clean Grout
The little crevices in between your shower tiles can capture tiny drops of water, and – you guessed it – lead to mold and mildew growth. A mix of water and bleach scrubbed over the grout between the tiles will clear out most bacteria lurking beneath the surface. Just make sure to remove the bleach with warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner when you’re done, or you risk burning your skin or eyes the next time you hit the shower.
Use Homemade Cleaners
As I just mentioned, many cleaners will leave behind some toxic remnants if not dealt with correctly. Because of this, it’s best to use homemade cleaning mixtures whenever possible. Anyone who’s gone through 4th grade science class knows what baking soda and vinegar do when combined. But this mixture can be used to clean out pipes, shower heads, and faucets. Vinegar can also be used for a variety of cleaning purposes throughout your bathroom. Not only is using homemade cleaning remedies safer for your family and the environment, but it’s also much easier on your wallet! Featured photo credit: Dynamic Plumbing / Bathrooms via farm5.staticflickr.com
