Cleaning a Bathroom in a Few Easy Steps

Before I start this chore, I get all my bathroom cleaning supplies together. I will need my glass cleaner, my tub and shower cleaning product, and my toilet bowl cleaner. In addition, grab a full roll of paper towels, and an old decrepit towel that will be sacrificed later.

First, take down the shower curtain, and follow instructions on how to clean. My lovely wife Sheryl, in her brilliance, has procured shower curtains that can be tossed in the washer on gentle cycle. The liner will succumb to wear and tear sooner than the outer, pretty curtain will. Not a problem, just pop for a few extra $1 liners the next time you're at Dollar World, and replace the liner as often as you need.

Next in the process is the first round of cleaning product application. Follow the directions on the toilet bowl cleaner, making sure that when you run that goofy upturned nozzle up under the rim, that you keep the flow of cleaner under the rim. Otherwise the toilet bowl cleaner will turn into floor cleanser. Get the picture? Let the toilet sit by itself now, with its water turning green, blue, or whatever color.

OK, now spray the tub/shower cleaner all around the tiles in the shower and tub. Let it set, and pick up the rugs to be washed and dried. I then will wipe down the shower and tub with paper towels. Hopefully I cleaned it sufficiently the last time so that a single trip with the paper towels will suffice. If not, just reapply the cleaner to the stubborn, pesky spots. Repeat the wipe down. Oh, and don't forget the outside of the tub. Even with a liner, (allegedly to block water and shower generated soap from reaching the outside of the tub) that outside face always gets gunky, too.[i]

Now to the fun part: (Drum roll) the toilet. By now the pre-treat has had time to do its thing. Use a hard bristle brush and hit the entire inside of the bowl. Flush. Then flush again. Get all of the toilet bowl cleaner flushed. Now you can spray the sides, seat, and top of the bowl with your other cleanser. (Do Not Mix Cleaners! Bad things can and do happen when you mix chemicals!) I'm down on my knees with the paper towels. When cleaning the toilet I use lots of paper towels. No saving paper here, as I want a clean paper towel for about each wipe. Don't miss behind the toilet, or the tank and tank lid. While you are down there, go ahead and get the floor around the toilet as well.

Up on my feet again, I'll tackle the sink. Use the same cleanser you used on the tub. Again, I'm using paper towels so I throw them away as soon as they get dirty. Once the sink is done, the mirror is next. Typical cleaning here, with the glass cleaner. More paper towels. Now we are on the home stretch.

The only thing left is the balance of the floor. It is simple enough to do with my secret weapon. Remember the decrepit old towel I mentioned? Well, spray the rest of the floor, throw the towel down, and hop on it. Yep, drag your feet around, and voila! You have a clean floor, no bending or scrubbing on your knees.iii]

Now, the only thing left to do is our master bathroom.[iii]
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[i] This outside tub face has gotten me in trouble before, by missing its cleaning. That is the first thing Sheryl noticed I missed one time after I thought I was done, and feeling proud of myself. Now, when I'm done, the shower curtain is drawn prior to approval.

[ii] Don't tell Sheryl about the towel thing. She keeps wondering why her supply of towel/rags keeps going down so quickly.

[iii] Yes, it has two sinks and a huge mirror to clean.