Importance of cleaning the bathroom and toilet regularly
Bacteria and viruses in bathrooms can survive for up to a week on surfaces and in your toilet. When in your home, these germs wreak havoc with your health, causing a variety of different illnesses and sickness bugs. This is one of the many reasons why the importance of cleaning the bathroom and toilet regularly is so high. Here, find out more about which germs could be lurking in your bathroom and how a deep clean can help to keep them away.
Common germs found in bathrooms and toilets
Bathrooms and toilets are hotbeds for harmful germs, bacteria and microbes, which can cause a whole host of illnesses, such as strep throat, salmonellosis, and athlete’s foot. There are many bathroom germs, many of which can affect your health, including:
E. Coli
Although most E. coli are harmless, some can cause severe illnesses, from diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, and bloodstream infections. 1A These types of bathroom germs and bacteria can be found across various surfaces, from toilets and bathroom floors, to shower curtains.
Salmonella
Salmonella is one of the bathroom germs and bacteria that can be spread via contaminated, unwashed hands and surfaces within the toilet area. 2A It’s shed through stool (feces), so usually thrives in and around the toilet and surrounding areas.
Some people experience no symptoms when infected with salmonella bacteria, however, most people develop diarrhea, a fever, and stomach cramps within 8 to 72 hours after exposure. 3A
Staphylococcus aureus
As the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections, such as abscesses (boils), furuncles, and cellulitis, staphylococcus aureus has long been recognized as one of the bathroom germs and bacteria that cause disease in humans. 4A Although it can be dangerous, it’s important to note that staph aureus bacteria tend to live harmlessly inside the nose and on the skin.
Importance of cleaning the bathroom and toilet
It may not be the most glamorous way to spend your time, but bathroom cleaning is a job that needs to be done – and done right. Although it helps to make your house smell fresh and look tidy, the importance of cleaning the bathroom and toilet is about much more than just the aesthetics; it’s vital for your health, too, removing germs and bacteria, which are known to cause illnesses. 5A
Here are some other reasons why bathroom cleaning is important:
- Prevents mold and mildew. If you have mold or mildew in your home, then you’re more likely to suffer with respiratory problems, infections, allergies or asthma. Your immune system may also be affected, leading to more frequent illnesses.
- Quickly identify issues. Regular bathroom cleaning could bring your attention to hidden issues, such as a broken pipe or cracked tile, so you can fix them quickly.
- Prevent the spread of diseases. If you’re ill, you can stop germs from spreading by cleaning the bathroom and toilet frequently. This will help to protect any of your children or other family members. 5B
How often to clean your bathroom and toilet
There’s no right or wrong answer to how often you should clean your bathroom and toilet per se, but it’s important to stay on top of it. As a rule of thumb, you should aim to clean your bathroom thoroughly once a week; busy bathrooms are prone to becoming dirty very quickly. All it takes is a leaky shampoo bottle or muddy dog bath before another bathroom cleaning session is required.
Although it’s important to stay on top of it, it’s even more important to ensure you take the time to do a deep clean to preserve cleanliness and good personal hygiene. In-between deep bathroom cleaning sessions, it’s recommended that you spot clean at least once. Focus on the areas that are prone to dirt, such as the toilet, sink and bathtub.
How to clean your bathroom and toilet
Bathroom cleaning may feel like a chore, but once you have a clear routine, it gets easier. Here are some of our top tips:
First thing’s first: the toilet
Before you make a start, squirt toilet cleaner around the toilet rim and leave it to do its job. Later, brush it away using a toilet brush to remove stubborn stains and leave your toilet squeaky clean, then flush. After toilet cleaning, neutralize odors by pouring a cup of bicarbonate of soda into the bowl. Clean the handle with a fresh-smelling disinfectant spray to remove germs and bacteria.
Freshen up the bins
You may not think your bin needs to be included in your bathroom cleaning routine, but it’s one of the places germs and odors thrive, so it should be. Give your bathroom bins a thorough clean to remove bacteria. Use bicarbonate of soda in the bin to freshen it up, then use an all-purpose disinfectant spray before wiping dry with a cloth.
Clean your bathtub
To remove built up grime and dirt in the bathtub, spray with Dettol's Healthy Bathroom cleaner and let it sit for 15 minutes before wiping away and rinsing. If your bath is particularly grimey, fill it with warm water, add a few scoops of washing powder, and leave overnight before rinsing away in the morning.
Mop the floors
Bathroom floors are full of dust, dirt and grime. Start by vacuuming thoroughly and remember to get into all the corners. For those hard-to-reach areas, use antibacterial wipes, but remember to throw them away – don’t flush them! For a thorough clean, use a multi-purpose floor cleaner with a fresh scent. Remember that cleaning the bathroom floor should be the last step on your to-do list, so it stays clean.
Don’t forget the plughole
The plughole is a place that’s easily forgotten in any bathroom cleaning routine. Things may look fine, but below the surface there are clumps of hair, dirt, and bacteria lurking that can block your drains. Keep yours running smoothly by cleaning your plughole, remove any hair and grime – remember to wear gloves to keep your hands protected. Once cleared, pour vinegar and bicarbonate of soda down the plug to kill any remaining dirt. Lemon juice can also be added to remove strong smells, then finish with boiling water.
Remove streaks from mirrors
Mirrors in bathrooms are a necessity, but they’re prone to gathering splashes of toothpaste, soaps, and more. Spray glass cleaner directly onto the mirror and wipe away with a microfiber cloth. Don’t wipe in a circular motion; instead, work from top to bottom in straight lines for a streak-free finish.
Tackle limescale
Shiny taps are a sign of a good bathroom cleaning routine. Use the Dettol Healthy Bathroom cleaner to remove limescale and soap scum, at the same time as killing 99.9% of germs.
Banish mold and mildew
An important step in every bathroom cleaning routine. Damp and humid environments are prone to developing mold and mildew. If your bathroom is affected, stay on top of the problem by spraying areas with a mold and mildew remover spray before wiping away. Remember, when in the home, mold can spread harmful spores and have an impact on your respiratory health, so it’s important to remove it.
How to keep your bathroom and toilet clean
Staying on top of your bathroom cleaning is important to ensuring your bathroom and toilet are kept clean in-between deep cleaning sessions. Here are some ways you can do that:
Establish a cleaning schedule
Whether you choose to clean your bathroom on a Monday or a Saturday, it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you have a clear routine, giving your bathroom a deep clean every week, with spot cleaning taking place in-between those sessions.
Provide hygienic bathroom cleaning tools
Make sure your guests have access to the right equipment to clean up after themselves after they’ve used your bathroom. If you haven’t already, buy a toilet brush and make sure it’s within close proximity of your toilet, so they can wipe down any stains. Antibacterial wipes are also handy to have to wipe down surfaces and banish germs on door handles.
Stock up on antibacterial soap
Whether it’s a bar soap or liquid hand wash, make sure you have something people can use to wash hands properly after using your bathroom. Remember to check that it has antibacterial qualities in order to kill germs.
Combat bad odors
Invest in a neutralizing air freshener to kill odors and 99.9% of bacteria. When you’ve completed your bathroom cleaning routine, finish the job by giving the room a quick spray and take in the pleasant smell.
FAQs
Is it safe to clean the bathroom while pregnant?
Generally, bathroom cleaning while pregnant is fine; most household cleaners are safe to use. However, bleach and other ingredients may cause harm to you or your baby if used in large amounts or for a long period of time. If you’re worried about a particular product, speak to your doctor for peace of mind.
What are the most important duties when cleaning a bathroom?
A successful bathroom cleaning routine should focus on the areas and surfaces, which have the most germs. Focus on the countertops, toilet, sink, drains, bathtub and floor. Ensure you have the right products to hand, which kill bacteria and harmful germs to make sure these areas are properly cleaned and disinfected.
How to clean a toilet seat?
Over time, your toilet seat can pick up stains and nasty smells caused by urine. When cleaning a toilet, it’s important to use products, which can help you to remove these stains and smells, at the same time as removing bathroom germs and bacteria. To start, lift your toilet seat up and use a bathroom spray, making sure you focus on cleaning the grime that can gather in the crevices of the lid and rim, as well as the hinges at the back.