Spring is in the air and now is the time to get ahead on those cleaning projects you’ve put on the back-burner. For many people, cleaning the bathroom isn’t a favorite chore. Yet let’s face it. We all need to clean them so that they’re free of germs and inviting spaces to use in our homes. 

At Barner Murphy of Bucks County, we help homeowners with a wide range of plumbing and bathroom needs. This spring, we’ve got a few tips to help you get yours cleaned for the new season ahead.

1. Showers

Cleaning your shower is pretty simple and you don’t need many supplies. Simply get some white vinegar and pour it into a plastic grocery bag, then submerge the showerhead nozzle and let it sit overnight. Remove it in the morning and rinse with some warm water. 

Take down your plastic shower curtains and toss them in the washing machine with a little mild detergent. Add a few old towels to absorb the soap scum and mildew. Hang them to dry. If you’ve got shower doors you can use a distilled vinegar and baking soda combination to scrub off soap scum. Just let the mixture sit for an hour and then wipe off with a microfiber cloth. Rinse and buff dry.

2. Grout

To clean the grout in your bathroom, try dipping a grout brush into a cap full of bleach. Scrub any discolored areas and then rinse well. Make sure that your bathroom is well-ventilated before using bleach. As an alternative, you can try a few tablespoons of baking soda instead of bleach. Seal grout every six months to ensure the best protection. 

3. Tile

If your bathroom has tile countertops, ceilings or walls, you’ll want to clean these with a good all-purpose cleaner. A great method for cleaning these surface areas is by spraying the cleaner on the surfaces, turning on hot water until some steam builds, and then letting closing the door. 

Leave the bathroom and let the cleaner sit for about twenty minutes. When you re-enter, just wipe down with a soft cloth and you’re good to go. Tile can get filthy with soap-scum, so try to clean it at least every few weeks if you can

4. Toilets

You can start by pouring in some baking soda and letting it sit for a few minutes. Then use a toilet scrubber to scrub it out and flush. If you still see spots in your toilet bowl, try a pumice stone. Many companies sell inexpensive ones online. 

Start by pouring a cup of baking soda into the bowl. Let sit for a few minutes; brush and flush. Still seeing spots? A damp pumice stone is abrasive enough to remove stains caused by mineral deposits and lime scale but gentle enough not to damage surfaces (try US Pumice Scouring Stick; $26 for 12 on Amazon).