You can keep everything you need in one side of a tool/cleaning caddy, so that the other side is free for any rubbish you need to take out of the bathroom. A rigid-plastic carrier with a central divider and carry handle is your best choice. Stock your caddy with
- A fast-action bathroom mousse (foam spray): You may have to decide between a fast-acting cleaner that has a strong smell or one that you have to leave on for five or ten minutes to work at its very best
- Flushable toilet wipes: These are great for freshening the seat. Some brands keep surfaces hygienically clean for up to 12 hours.
- Fresh cleaning cloths: Old terry-cotton flannels (washcloths) are perfect. They don't scratch or leave lint and can be machine-washed afterwards.
- Microfibre cloth: For mirrors
- A small plastic rubbish bag: To either take away rubbish or replace the existing bag
- Thick liquid toilet cleaner: For the toilet, obviously
- Two pairs of rubber gloves: Designate one pair strictly for cleaning the toilet
After you assemble your cleaning materials, you're ready to go. Use these steps to get a brilliant bathroom:
- Clear soaps, flannels, nail brushes, and so on off the sink and bath ledge. Popping them into the empty side of your cleaning caddy is quickest.
- Spray your chosen bathroom cleaner around the sink, onto taps, and at the base of the shower tray. Every other day or so spray the bathtub as well. Some bathroom surfaces, particularly if they're old and worn, can't safely withstand multi-purpose bathroom sprays. Check the container to see whether the cleaner is safe for your surface. Some sprays can weaken enamel coating over time. When in doubt, use a specialist cleaner or washing-up liquid for bath surfaces. Whilst the cleaner works to dissolve oil and dirt, move on to the toilet.
- Pull on the rubber gloves you use just for toilet cleaning.
- Wipe the flush handle, then the lid and seat (both sides) with disposable wipes. Flush the wipes away, if it's safe to do so. If not, pop them into the plastic bag, seal the bag, and put it in the rubbish bin.
- Visually check the toilet bowl. If you see no hard deposits or limescale rings, simply use toilet cleaner, squirting it slowly around the rim.
- Brush any matter away with firm, even pressure as you move the scrub brush briskly back and forth.
- Take off the gloves to remove any chance of contaminating washing areas. If you have sensitive hands, pop on your second pair of gloves.
- Using flannels - and the showerhead where it reaches - rinse cleaner from the bath, sink, taps, and shower tray.
- Pull out any hair from the sink and bath traps.
- Shine the sink with a clean, dry flannel.
- Pop the soap and other paraphernalia back onto counters and ledges.
- Wipe smears off the mirror and glass shower doors with the microfibre cloth.
- Check the floor as you back out of the room. Deal with any splashes, dust or hair debris, and so on with the flannel you just used to shine the sink. Dampen it just a little to pick up dust more effectively. Once a week take more time to clean the bathroom floor thoroughly. On really busy days, skip the shower. For hygiene, your priority is disinfecting the toilet seat, handle, and bowl. Cosmetically, a clean sink comes after that, with niceties like changing the towels way down on the list.
If guests arrive and you have zero time to clean, change the towels if you do nothing else, and open a vent window so that the room gets aired
