How I clean a bathroom

Isn't life full? Here I have been writing about all sorts of deep issues, and yet I am also posting about cleaning a bathroom.

If the world is coming to an end, and our country is under siege, why bother with a clean bathroom?

Because no matter what is going on in the wide, wide world, God has only given me my domain. I can make some calls and write some important things, which is very powerful, but beyond that, my main focus is right here, under my gables where the people I minister to live.

And these people need to use the bathroom. They need to feel as though the surfaces are clean, that they will have enough toilet paper, soap, shampoo and towels. They need to be able to wake up from a sleepy fog and see themselves in a mirror that is not covered with funk. They don't need to be greeted with an acrid smell when they open the door.

But where to start?

First, I start with the clutter. Most of us have enough personal hygiene and beauty products in our baths to stock a small store. We keep huge bottles with only little bits left in them, or those we have purchased that were quite expensive, so we don't want to throw them away, yet we don't like to use them. We line the shelves of the tub, the counter, the back of the toilet with all sorts of bottles of junk. Then we have bins and bags full of cosmetics--the half-chewed lipstick the toddler found in our purse, etc.

I try to keep two things in mind:

Simplicity and Diligence

I pair down what I use. Basic soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. Only one of each, and only the ones worth keeping. The others can go in the rubbish bin. I am ruthless about these things, because I love how much more life and "space" getting rid of things gives to me.

My daily makeup fits nicely into a little zippered pouch in my top drawer--one of each, with a small tube of moisturizer. I can take this little pouch with me anywhere, even on the road at a moment's notice.

And don't forget under the sink--this is where a lot of bad smells and nasty things can take over. I make an inspection of the pipes under there and wipe out the cabinet, if there is one.

The next step I take is to think of my bath as a series of surfaces. The shower stall, the tub, the toilet, the mirror, the sink and counter, the vanity, the shower curtain, the window and curtain, the floor--all of these are surfaces that need to be cleaned.

Since I am describing here a thorough cleaning, I will tell you that I wash the shower curtain and window curtains.

Then I begin in the shower/tub. first I will dust along the top of the tile or shower stall--amazing how much one will find there! I scrub the stall/tile. I check the surround of the tub for mildew, etc. and strip and repair caulking if necessary (this is a very simple process--takes a little effort, but it is worth it in the end). If I have hard water, I will purchase a cleanser with lye that will remove the stains--always with proper precautions, of course. I have even been known to use a pumice stone to remove scale where necessary (always be careful not to mix bleach with other cleaners).

I also take an abrasive cleanser (I use Barkeeper's Friend) and clean the tub and surround (if lye is not needed, or if I am just maintaining).

The outside of the tub is also important, as well as the caulking material where the tub meets the floor--especially to prevent water damage.

Then I move onto the sink area. I will clean out the medicine cabinet, getting out the rust, old toothpaste, etc. Then I will scrub around the faucet, even and especially in those little cracks and crannies. I love to spray all surfaces, then wait, in order to soften up the nasty grime so that it is more easily removed.

And here's my quick trick for the sink; if I am in a hurry and don't want to search all over for some abrasive cleaner, I just squeeze a bit of cheap toothpaste (we buy the dollar or less tube--whatever brand) on a rag and scrub all around, then rinse!

Mirrors can be a challenge. When I am doing a thorough cleaning, I like to use janitorial aerosal window cleaner, which works like a dream! But for everday cleaning the aerosal is pricey, so I use just vinegar in water--streakless and cheap. I look at the glass from different angles and with the lights off to make sure it is streak and fuzz-free.

I also keep under the sinks clean as well. I have cabinets, so I keep personal hygiene items, etc. in plastic bins that slide in and out. I try and not keep trash cans in the cabinets, as this becomes a huge problem when people don't empty the trash can or don't keep the trash in the receptacle. If people can see the trashcan, it is usually maintained better.

The toilet is not a big deal if it is maintained. I try and keep the rings and insides clean daily. The bottom outsides are also important--it is a gross job, but can't be skipped! Bleach spray around the base of the toilet takes care of the odor when new potty-trainers "miss". I also keep up on the hair, dust, etc. that accumulates all around and behind.

Bathroom floors and baseboards can get grimy--especially behind the door--so these are wiped and cleaned regularly.

The floors are the last surface to be scrubbed--ans this is best done on one's knees due to the type of grime that can accumulate.

After all is decluttered and cleaned, I make sure there are multiple rolls of toilet paper available (we buy the POM box at Sam's Club--good quality and very cheap), clean towels, shampoo (we use Suave in huge, refillable squirt dispensers), soap (I refill our soap dispensers with Pro Force dish liquid from Sam's Club), etc.

Then I stand back and enjoy the beauty of order--even if it may last only a few moments in a family like ours!