Photo by Diana Paulson
With the combination of dampness, soap scum, and grout and grooves, the place where we get ourselves clean isn’t always the cleanest place itself. However, having a few of the right tools in place makes it easy to create a do-it-now cleaning habit so you can keep the bathroom fresh perpetually.
First, Set Yourself Up for Success
Use Fabric Shower Curtain Liners: Soap scum is any bathroom-cleaner’s nemesis. Getting it out of plastic shower curtains is impossible and, frankly, not worth the time even trying. Instead, opt for a washable fabric shower curtain liner that you can throw in the machine. This way you’ll guard against both soap scum buildup and mold.
Air Out the Bathroom, Every Time: Be sure to turn on the fan before you even start your shower. When you’re done, leave the shower door ajar or the curtain pushed open to help air out humidity.
Your New After-Shower Routine
Step 1: Squeegee the Walls
Leave a squeegee hanging in the shower and use it to clean off the walls when you’re done. This is the one I have and enjoy; it works well and is relatively nice-looking. If you have a shower curtain, it’s still important to squeegee the shower walls and the floor. If you have a glass door, squeegeeing (what a word, huh?) is extra important. The minute or two it takes to squeegee your shower will drastically cut down on soap scum and mildew and save you much more time scrubbing down the road.
Step 2: Spray Everything Down
Even with squeegeeing, soap scum will eventually built up on hardware and the shower doors. A quick spritz every few days with an effective soap scum remover, again, will save you from full-blown soap scum scrubbing later on. I personally like this shower spray, but you could also use white vinegar to cut through the soap scum. I’ve also found that a Scrub Daddy moistened with cold water cuts through soap scum and the slimy film that can form on shower tiles.
Step 3: Dry Areas That Collect Water
Last, before you towel off, towel off some of the areas around your shower and tub. Drying corners and flat surfaces that tend to collect water and grow mildew will keep you from having to clean it down the road. It’s healthier to prevent mold than to remove it, plus it’s more aesthetic and less labor intensive.
Incorporating these easy tasks into your showering routine will not only save you from major shower clean-ups, but will keep your bathroom sparkling fresh.
Shifrah Combiths has been writing professionally for twenty years. She loves lifestyle photography, memory keeping, gardening, reading, and going to the beach with her husband and children.