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Other than the kitchen, bathroom cleaning takes the most amount of time and work to clean since it has so many different types of surfaces and because, by its nature, it is a place that needs to be cleaned often because its frequency of use.
If you are like me, cleaning the bathroom is most likely one of your least favorite cleaning activities. Luckily, a checklist and some natural cleaners can make quick work of cleaning the bathroom.
Mirrors
Just like windows, mirrors can be cleaned with a 50/50 vinegar and water mix in a spray bottle and wiped with old rags from cut-up t-shirts or newspaper (paper towels leave a lot of residue with this method).
The easiest way, if you have them, is to use microfiber cloths (1 regular one wet, and one polishing one dry, or just one regular wet one and one regular dry) to clean without the need for chemicals at all.
Counters, Tile, Shower, Tub
If you have it, you can use microfiber for all of these. I’ve even found it to be effective on soap scum in the shower.
If not, there are other natural options that work great too:
- A 50/50 vinegar/water solution will clean tile, counters, cabinet fronts and soap scum in the shower
- A baking soda and water paste will clean stuck on gunk in the shower and tub (use vinegar instead of water for really tough stains)
- For grout, I sprinkle baking soda on the floor and spray with undiluted hydrogen peroxide and scrub with a gentle toothbrush
- For stained tubs and really, really tough messes, this homemade scouring powder works great, though it isn’t needed for regular cleaning
- For wall tile, painted door frames, spots on the doors, outside of toilet, etc, my homemade all purpose cleaner will clean and disinfect
- I’ve also discovered a great company called Grove Collaborative that I discuss in more depth in this post. They make great natural cleaning products and a fantastic glass spray bottle
Toilets
About once a week, I sprinkle some baking soda around the inside of the toilet to coat, then dump a cup of undiluted white vinegar into the water. I use a reusable toilet brush to scrub and the chemical reaction of the baking soda and vinegar removes stains and any lingering smell. This also works externally (I use on the bottom of the toilet and the floor) to remove that “boy” smell from bathrooms.
I’ve also found that the urine smell that can linger (especially with potty-training boys) is often hiding in the hinges of the toilet seat and under the bolt caps on the side of the toilet. At our house, these get removed every 2 weeks or so and thoroughly cleaned.
I finish up toilet cleaning with a spray and wipe down with undiluted hydrogen peroxide.
Air Freshening
Products like Febreeze and Lysol spray have a host of chemicals that can be really harmful, especially to children. To freshen the bathroom without the toxins, try these natural ideas:
- These two spray recipes from Keeper of the Home make easy and natural air freshening sprays
- Here is another recipe for an air freshener in a jar that you can use anywhere in the house that need freshening
How do you clean your bathroom? What is your least favorite room to clean? Let me know in the comments below!
Norwex Microfiber Review
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How do you feel about the new popular vinegar and dawn dish soap as a tub/shower cleaner? Is that safe to use?
I started to use the 50/50 vinegar/water solution with a little dawn in it and I love it for the bathtub and shower. Just spray it on and it takes very little scrubbing to get a clean tub and tile.
My mother in law has very hard water with a ton of calcium and rust in it. She bought one of those kitchen sponge things that has a handle you can fill with dish soap. She fills it half way with vinegar and then adds whatever dishsoap she has on hand. It works like a charm.
I LOVE IT USE IT ALL THE TIME.
I purchase inexpensive washcloths (like the kind you can get in bundles from Walmart) and use these instead of paper towels. they can be used to absorb grease in the kitchen or to wipe up a spill, etc. then they just get tossed in the washer. i have not purchased paper towels for several years now.
I purchase inexpensive washcloths (like the kind you can get in bundles from Walmart) and use these instead of paper towels. they can be used to absorb grease in the kitchen or to wipe up a spill, etc. then they just get tossed in the washer. i have not purchased paper towels for several years now.
I purchase inexpensive washcloths (like the kind you can get in bundles from Walmart) and use these instead of paper towels. they can be used to absorb grease in the kitchen or to wipe up a spill, etc. then they just get tossed in the washer. i have not purchased paper towels for several years now.
Hi, I just found your site for the first time. Great post! I use vinegar or more often a citrus infused vinegar as my primary cleaner, but I do the same as you and use both vinegar and bicarb soda in my toilet. I keep meaning to try a bicarb paste on the grout in my shower…
I too use a cup of baking soda in the toilet but don’t find I need to also add the vinegar (though I am sure when I let it get bad the vinegar would require less scrubbing). I am definitely going to try your scouring powder. I use 50/50 vinegar/water for most everything but it doesn’t seem to work when things need a good scrub (I too have two little boys under age 5).
I just started making a citrus/pineapple enzyme base. It is supposed to be similar to what Bio Kleen uses in their Bac Out line. It is still fermenting, but I can’t wait to try it out. Supposedly you can use it on basically any surface (even your skin).
Surely hydrogen peroxide is a harmful chemical?
It is actually rated much safer than any other cleaning products. You can even get food grade if you are concerned. Personally, I use regular hydrogen peroxide on my teeth and gums for natural whitening.
I use the vinegar/water solution for most general cleaning, but one of my tools in cleaning the bathroom is a stainless steel scrub . . . goodbye soap scum! And pumice stones work well for hard water stains in the toilet bowl.
Thanks for the shout out! Also, I so glad that you are encouraging people to use non-toxic cleaners. My grandmother told me a blood-curdling story about one of her little guys drinking bleach and there is a similar story in my husband’s family. Another time a friend accidentally used ammonia in her BBQ sauce because she mistook the bottle under her sink for the ACV. In the end, nobody had any after she tasted it but it sure scared me. There are better ways to clean!