Green Bathroom Cleaning
Bathroom cleaning is an essential part of home-keeping, but this chore is usually not a favorite! Between commercial cleaners that fill the air with harsh, synthetic fragrances to scraping away soap scum, the bathroom is one of the most labor intensive and least appealing cleaning tasks.
You can make this essential chore a little more tolerable by switching to natural cleaners. The cleaning plan outlined below allows you to give your bath a “green” makeover, and rid your home of harsh commercial products as well.
Natural Bathroom Cleaning Step by Step:
Supplies:
- Spray bottle
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Toilet brush
- Soft cloths
- Old toothbrush
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Tea Tree or Lavender Essential oil
Directions:
1. Remove any throw rugs and take them outdoors. Beat away dust and dirt, sprinkle with baking soda, and allow them to sit while you clean the bathroom.
2. Flush the toilet. Pour a liberal amount of baking soda into the bowl (about a cup, or half of a small box). Use the toilet brush to scrub all surfaces. Do not flush.
3. Pour about a cup of white vinegar into the toilet. This will cause a chemical reaction—you will see lots of bubbles, which will subside in a minute. Leave this mixture in place while you clean the rest of the bathroom.
4. Turn on the shower, and wet down all surfaces. Fill the spray bottle with 75% vinegar and 25% water, and add a few drops of essential oil. Spray on soap scum and all areas, allow it to sit for a few moments and wipe with cloth.
Use baking soda and toothbrush to scrub away any stubborn stains. (If the tub has a “ring” of soap scum, scrub with a large brush and baking soda.)
Turn on the shower and rinse away the baking soda residue.
5. Repeat the “shower” cleaning procedure for the sink, if needed.
6. Use the vinegar and water mixture to clean any glass or mirrored surfaces.
7. Saturate a soft cloth with 100% vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, and wipe down all chrome faucets and fixtures. You can mix in some tea tree essential oil (2-3 drops) if you have it—it has antibacterial properties that will help eliminate nasty microbes that may be lurking on these surfaces!
8. Give the toilet bowl a final swish, and flush away the vinegar/baking soda mixture.
9. Sweep the floor, and clean if needed. You can use vinegar mixed with water and a soft mop if needed for cleaning.
10. Vacuum the throw rugs and return to the bathroom.
Any vinegar/water mixtures you used for the bathroom cleaning can be saved in the spray bottle and reused within the next few days if desired. Bathroom cleaning doesn’t have to involve inhaling harsh cleansers and fragrances—just follow the tips outlined above for a sparkling clean bath every time.