Deep Cleaning Bathrooms, Diva Style

Making your bathroom beyond clean is perfectly voguish and rather easy to do.  Use these simple tips and ordinary household items to achieve a pristine Diva-worthy powder room:

Hard Water Deposits on the Bathroom Faucet:  Try soaking a few paper towels in vinegar and wrapping them around your faucet.  Let sit over night.  The next day, remove the towels, and fill the basin with warm water and some dishwashing liquid.  Dip an old toothbrush in the basin and scrub the faucet to erase mineral build up.    When you’ve finished, drain the basin and use a sponge to clean the sink with the left over dishwashing liquid.  Done and done!

Clean the Mirrors after the Sink:  Most people begin with the mirrors and, because of splashing water, inevitably end up spot cleaning them a second time after cleaning the sinks and countertops.  I always clean the mirrors after I’ve cleaned the sink.  You can use a window cleaning product, or to save-save-save - use vinegar (again!) and a soft cloth.  

Ring Around the Toilet:  Turn the water supply to your toilet off and flush once.  After the water goes down the drain, spray with Lime Away (my second favorite bathroom cleaning toy!)  Let it sit for just a few minutes, and using a sponge, scrub the “ring” away.  Flush and repeat if necessary.  Don’t forget to turn the water back on when you are finished!

Filmy Glass Shower Doors:  Spray your shower doors with vinegar  - have I mentioned how versatile vinegar is as a leaning product? - and let it sit for a few minutes.  Then, mix equal parts baking soda and salt together and with a damp sponge, rub this mixture on the shower doors.  Rinse well.  Voila!  Perfection!

Mildew on the Shower Liner:  Throw it in the washing machine on gentle cycle.  Wash with warm water and a 1/2 cup of vinegar (Vinegar!  The wonder cleaner!)

Mildew in Grout:  As I’m sure you’ve guessed, you’re using vinegar once again!  The acid in this power cleaner will kill the mildew.  Spray and let it sit for a few minutes before you scrub with a brush.  This will remove the dead mildew and leave your grout grunge-free.  If you have stains in your grout, try spraying them with a 1:10 bleach solution (1 part bleach, 10 parts water) and letting it soak for a moment before wiping with a clean sponge.  (Diva note:  You can use the same solution between showers as a cheap “Shower to Shower” product to maintain cleanliness in the damp environment.)

Deep Clean the Bathtub:  For maintenance cleaning, I use a powder product like Comet.  But when I get my Diva baths on and use an effervescent bath bomb and there’s a crazy oil residue left on the tub, I use powdered dishwasher detergent instead.  These are formulated to break up oils on your dishes - and a dish isn’t so much different from a porcelain tub.  Works like a charm!