With this Step-by-Step Cleaning List

Written by American Standard on March 12, 2020, updated June 2021

 

If you’re like 52 percent of people, you might dread cleaning the bathroom. With these simple and effective bathroom cleaning hacks, you’ll never struggle to get into spring cleaning mode again — and your bathroom will never look better!

Health and Safety First

This spring cleaning season, be sure to look after your bathroom and yourself. As you start cleaning take the following precautions into consideration:

1. Don’t mix cleaning products. Certain chemicals can react to create toxic fumes or burn your skin.
2. Keep your bathroom well ventilatedno matter what cleaning products you’re using.
3. Protect yourself against chemicalsby wearing rubber gloves and eyewear.
4. Wear old clothes to clean.Chemicals such as bleach can discolor fabrics.
5. Don’t use abrasive cleaners and tools.These can damage the items in your bathroom.
6. Fully remove cleaning products after use as they can leave a residue if they are not wiped or rinsed off.

How to Clean Your Bathroom Step by Step

Vent

The phrase out of sight, out of mind often applies to the bathroom vent. These vents are usually found high up on the wall, which means you might not have noticed how much dust, mold, and mildew they have accumulated. Give your vent a thorough cleaning inside and out. Just remember to shut off the circuit breaker before you get started, and get help if you use a ladder!

Bathroom cleaning hacks:

• Soak the vent cover in warm water and dish soap
• Wipe the blades with a damp cloth
• Remove the dust from inside the vent with a toothbrush
• Use a vacuum nozzle attachment to suck up the dust
• Replace the cover only when it is completely dry

Cabinets and Countertops

Bathroom cabinets and countertops can easily become cluttered with medications, products, and other daily essentials. This in turn makes it harder to clean your bathroom. This spring, seize the opportunity to clear out these areas for a cleaner bathroom and greater peace of mind.

Here’s how to organize your bathroom counter and cabinet:

1. Remove everything and clean the areas with a damp cloth
2. Discard any products that are empty or past their use-by dates
3. Place new items at the back of your cabinet so you finish open products first
4. Only keep the bare essentials on the countertop

 

Sink

The sink drain has more bacteria than any other part of your bathroom, so a deep clean is just what the doctor ordered. You only need a few minutes to transform this part of your bathroom into a sparkly, germ-free space.

Bathroom cleaning hacks:

• Pour white vinegar down the sink and flush with hot water
• Clean faucets with disposable disinfecting wipes to avoid spreading germs
• Use dental floss to remove the grime from where the fixtures join the sink

Toilet

When we think of cleaning the bathroom, the most obvious task is to clean the toilet. With these tips, you can clean your toilet without too much bending.

Bathroom cleaning hacks:

• Clean the seat and handle with disposable disinfecting wipes
• Pour one cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and brush
• Let the baking soda sit for about 30 minutes before flushing

Shower

Cleaning your shower can be a big job. It doesn’t just include the shower head, but also the tiles and grout on the walls and floor of the showering area. Fortunately there are a few tips and tricks to get great results without too much manual labor.

Bathroom cleaning hacks:

• Spray tiles with a cleaning spray and then turn on the shower until it steams
• After 20 minutes, wipe the tiles with a cloth
• Scrub stained grout with a toothbrush dipped in bleach, then rinse well
• Place your shower head in a bowl of white vinegar for a few hours
• Remove the shower head and rinse well

 

Bath

A soak in the bath is all the more satisfying after you have spring cleaned your bathtub. The best part is, these tips include only natural cleaning products.

Bathroom cleaning hacks:

• Spray the tub with a solution of 50% white vinegar, 50% warm water
• Apply a baking soda and white vinegar paste to stains
• Apply a borax and lemon juice mixture to rust stains
• Rinse the tub well after 30 minutes

 

Does your bath need more than a deep spring cleaning? There are a few options you can consider.

Reglazing: This is a great way to spruce up a relatively new bathtub with some scratches. A specialist will sand down the surface of your bathtub and fill in any cracks. They will then apply primer and paint before buffering. This process can only be done once, however, and can’t fix any significant issues.

Adding Bath Liners: Liners can improve the look of bathtubs that have large cracks and missing tiles. The style and shape of liners are limited, so you wouldn’t be able to line an old, free-standing bathtub or customize to your heart’s content.  But be careful, because between the original bathtub and the liner is a known mold/mildew growth site.

Replacing Your Bathtub: Although it’s the most expensive option, replacing your bathtub is the best way to get exactly what you want for your home and lifestyle. That’s the ultimate fresh start!

Considering upgrading to a walk-in tub? Get a free estimate for the best walk-in tub in Canada by clicking the button below.

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Creating an Accessible Bathroom

Written by American Standard Walk-in Tubs Canada, June 2021

The way we live in our homes today, and how aging well has become so important that builders, renovators and homeowners are starting to pay more attention to creating an accessible and universal design plan for today’s generations.  Products, design details and materials now reflect todays needs in meeting accessibility requirements of older adults and those with mobility challenges, and no longer look institutional.

Safety and design have become paramount in bathrooms, as we’ve seen statistics of fall related injuries and the demographics of the many people visiting emergency rooms because of their falls.  Today, more than ever as we are spending more time in our homes, we want our loved ones and neighbours to be injury-free in the most used rooms.  With a legacy surpassing 150 years of excellence, we’ve put together a list of things to consider in your bathroom design to allow customers at any stage of life maintain safety, comfort & independence regardless of mobility limitations.

Access:  If your bathroom doors are less than 32” wide, you may have difficulty in passing through them, whether you are carrying towels if you are using a walker or wheelchair.  Optimal door widths to accommodate people and daily aids to living are 34”-36”.  There are different types of doors-pocket doors, hinged doors, or even sliding barn-type doors have made a presence in today’s renovations.  If you are a fall risk, consider reversing the hinge of the bathroom door to open out of the bathroom instead.  If you were to fall behind the door, EMS will be able to reach and assist you faster.

Grab Bars:  Bathrooms have been identified as the leading room where people have sustained falls & injuries resulting in ER assistance, that they’ve sustained while bathing/showering, getting in/out of the bathtub, tripping or while toileting.  Adding a Superpole, grab bar, or decorative support accessories used specifically for lateral support, can greatly reduce the risk of falling.

Easy to Clean Surfaces:  as people age, it becomes more difficult to clean and maintain high maintenance surfaces such as stone, tile/grout, and glass.  Choose materials that are easy to clean.  There are plenty of choices, and these can still match your new bathroom décor.  When it comes to germs, it’s important to stay on top of keeping things clean.

ADA Toilets and Accessible Countertops:  Getting older means that you make have stiff joints or knees that have been replaced.  Choosing toilets that have a taller seat height makes them more comfortable and accessible for all.  Closer to a 17” chair height will be more helpful during all the ups and downs that you will incur.

Countertops and right-height pedestal sinks that are 34” high, help reduce strains on knees and backs from prolonged use and standing.  Providing a multiple-height counter will be more inclusive to the needs of everyone in the home, from young children to those who need to sit in front of a counter with knee space below.

 

Accessible Bathtubs or Low/Zero-entry Showers: Joint stiffness, mobility challenges, frailty and balance issues will make getting in and out of a bathtub and shower difficult, if not resulting in falls.  A zero-entry shower pan or constructed floor is a better option as you don’t need to lift your legs over a threshold to walk into the shower.  However, you will need a seat, whether built-in or freestanding.  Just be careful to allow for access to easily move in and out of the shower; and be careful when using glass walls if you have visual challenges.  An accessible bathtub with an outward opening door is a better option because it is fully accessible even to wheelchair users, and the built-in integral seat will not move.  On a ComfortSeries™ bathtub, all the controls are within-arms-reach, and a door prevents a bather from falling out, even if standing to shower.

Single Lever Faucets:  Selecting a faucet with lever handles makes the faucet easier to operate for limited grip strength, and by choosing a single-lever faucet, it makes it that much easier.

Lever Handles:  If you have arthritis or any other grip-preventing challenge, you know that round door knobs are difficult to turn; replacing all your door handles with lever style, will make it easier and more comfortable to use as your needs change.  There are several finishes that can match your faucets, or other finishes in your home.

Storage Space:  Bathroom cabinets and countertops can easily become cluttered with medications, products, and other daily essentials.  This in turn makes it harder to clean and access your bathroom.  Plan for proper storage of necessities, in easy-to-reach locations.  Keeping it organized means that you will know where each item is, where and when you need it.

Non-Slip Rubber-backed Bath Mat:  Any rug in a bathroom is a trip hazard, especially if it moves.  However, if you place a rubber-backed rug by your bathtub or shower, it will be handy to prevent any slips from wet feet.

 

Universal Design doesn’t mean it has to look institutional, and in fact could look like a spa bathroom, just safer and more accessible.  As more Older Adults continue to age, bathroom and home designs will continue to evolve and improve to accommodate accessible design elements.

 

With American Standard’s luxurious walk-in tubs, stylish easy-to-use faucets, and RightHeight® toilets, you can create a beautiful bathroom that safely and comfortably supports independently remaining at home.

 

Are you considering including an accessible walk-in bathtub?  Get a free estimate for the best walk-in tub in Canada, by clicking the button below.

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