Top tips for keeping a new bathroom spotless
Wednesday, 4 July 2012 4:06 PM
Keeping a bathroom clean can be hard work, but take the right steps from the moment you install your new suite and you can make it easier for yourself. Read on and follow our guide to getting your bathroom spick and span.
Preventing dirt
Unfortunately, there aren't any miracle products you can use to simply prevent dirt from clinging to the surfaces in your bathroom, but there are a few things you can do to at least reduce the possibility of this happening.
Walls and floors generally seem to get dirtier than everything else - and at a quicker rate. Scrub your tiles on a regular basis to prevent the grout from becoming stained and discoloured, and consider investing in a cleaning product that targets mould and mildew. Use this every so often to minimise the build up of these two forms of dirt. You can also buy grout sealing products that create a protective shield.
If you have ceramic floor tiling in your bathroom, you will need to follow a similar process to stop the grout turning an odd colour. Mop the floor frequently and always clean up any spills or stains as soon as they occur. Linoleum floors are easier to care for, but again make sure you clean the surface regularly to keep it spotless.
When it comes to the bathroom suite itself, the best way to keep the basin, toilet and bath spick and span is, unsurprisingly, ensuring they're cleaned on a regular basis. With the sink and bath, it's a good idea to rinse or wipe down the sealant and surfaces after each use - and don't forget to clean your new bathroom taps too so they don't become discoloured!
If you have a shower cubicle, you can buy a spray that you distribute over the walls and floor after stepping out of the shower to prevent dirt from accumulating. The toilet should ideally be cleaned every day, and deep cleaned with bleach left in the bowl overnight once a week.
More generally, make sure all of the caps, tops etc are fastened tightly on toiletries like toothpaste and shower gel - you'd be surprised at just how much mess they can make if they haven't been properly secured after use. Where possible, keep your toiletries stashed away in a cupboard or portable storage unit to minimise the chance of an accidental spill.
Tackling specific stains
All the cleaning in the world can't guarantee a dirt-free bathroom! However, there are things you can do to effectively get rid of nasty stains when they do occur:
Grout discolouration - As mentioned above, tile grout can become dirty quite quickly. Mix a little bleach or vinegar with bicarbonate of soda to create a tough cleaner and give the affected area a good scrub.
Mouldy sealant - Use a strong mould remover to tackle mould and mildew on bath and sink sealant, applying it multiple times if necessary. If it still doesn't come off, though, you'll probably have to remove and replace the sealant.
Limescale - A mixture of vinegar and either lemon or lime juice can help tackle limescale on taps, tiles and other fittings. If the problem is in the toilet bowl, you may need to partially empty it so you can clean it properly.
Dull taps - Keep your new bathroom taps shiny for longer by wiping off excess moisture after each use and remembering to clean them when you do your bath and sink. Top tip: white toothpaste can, unusually, be great as a cleaner for many kinds of taps - just avoid using it on gold or brass fittings.
