Spring Cleaning - Green Style *Bathroom*

Welcome to Spring Clean - Green Style!  If you've hopped here from Pinterest or if this is the first page you're visiting, make sure to check out the Spring Cleaning Starter Page to find links to tips and tricks for cleaning and greening all of the other rooms in your home!  Everything you need to know about deep cleaning each room in your home will be found in these posts!

Today, we tackle one of the most highly trafficked areas of the home - the bathroom!  I asked those of you who follow on Facebook what tips you most want to know when cleaning your bathroom, and I got responses for everything from mildew removal to getting rid of hard water stains.  Luckily for you, my bathroom has had all of those problems, so I can share my green cleaning tips with you now.  For easy-to-follow, step-by-step cleaning instructions, make sure to download or print the free checklist at the bottom of this page.

The following is written exactly in order of how I cleaned my bathroom(s).  This allows for time to soak and disinfect certain things as you go so that you can continuously work.  Skip any steps that are not relevant to your home.

Before you begin, you'll need:
- checklist with areas to write needs/"fix-its" that you'll notice while you work
- vacuum
- buckets, sponges, microfiber cloths, gloves, and other standard cleaning instruments
- plastic baggie and tie (for showerhead)
- old toothbrush
- distilled white vinegar
- baking soda
- essential oils of your choice (I used lemon, lavender, and cinnamon leaf)

The following mixes are used for cleaning (I found it best to have a bucket for each), so it may be easiest to make these in advance:

All-Purpose Cleaning Solution:
In a bucket, add one cup of vinegar and a few drops of lemon or lavender essential oil.  Fill bucket with warm water.  Mix.

Baking Soda Paste:
Mix baking soda and a little bit of water until a very slightly runny paste is made.  

Vinegar/Water Solution:
Mix two cups of vinegar with two cups of water.  This will be used to wipe down surfaces following the baking soda paste.

Glass Cleaner:
In a spray bottle, add 1/2 cup vinegar and a few drops of lemon essential oil.  Fill with water.  Mix.

Floor Cleaning Solution:
In a bucket, add one and a half cups of vinegar and a few drops of lemon essential oil.  Fill bucket with warm water.  Mix.

- STEP-BY-STEP CLEANING LIST - 

Step 1: Open the window(s)
Get some fresh air circulating through the room!

Step 2: Take down and wash all linens
Get the shower curtain, curtains, rugs, toilet covers, fabric decorations, etc., and start them in the washer.

Step 3: Soak showerhead
Place 1/4 cup of baking soda in a plastic baggie and place over upside down showerhead.  Quickly add enough vinegar to fill the baggie and tie off.  Allow to soak.  This will remove hard water stains and calcium build-up, allowing for a better flow.

Soaking showerhead

Step 4: Soak and disinfect toilet

Sprinkle baking soda around inside of the bowl.  Pour 1 cup of vinegar into bowl.  Allow to soak.

Step 5: Disinfect trash can

Sprinkle baking soda to cover bottom of can.  Add 1/2 cup of vinegar and swirl around until bubbling stops.  Fill with water.  Set aside to soak.

Step 6: Clean out and organize shelves and cabinets

Follow a general rule of thumb here: if you haven't used it in the past six months, toss it.  While you are working, wipe out all baskets and bins with All-Purpose Cleaning Solution.  If you haven't replaced your toothbrushes in the last six months, now is a good time to do that.  You should also make sure you have an updated first-aid kit.

***GREEN TIP - Now is a great time to replace your cosmetics and bath/beauty products with all-natural, eco-friendly ones!  It's not hard to make your own or to find much better and healthier alternatives! ***

Step 7: Disinfect brushes and combs

In a large bowl, add 1/2 cup vinegar, a few squirts of some mild soap (I like Dr. Bronners), a few drops of lavender essential oil, and fill with water.  Clean hair out of brushes and combs and place in the solution to disinfect.  You can also toss in any makeup brushes.  Loofahs can go in here as well!  You'll notice in the picture that there are some white clumps in the solution; that's the Dr. Bronners soap. You should also vacuum the filter on the back of your hair dryer to prevent fire hazards. 

Disinfecting brushes and combs

Step 8: Wipe down all shelves and cabinets

Use All-Purpose Cleaning Solution to wipe down the insides and outsides of all of your shelves and cabinets.

Step 9: Rinse/clean brushes

Remove brushes from disinfecting solution and rinse under warm water. **Unless filled with makeup residue, save the water from the disinfecting solution to add to your buckets of cleaning solutions.**

Step 10: Vacuum ceilings, corners, and walls

Get rid of all that dust and cobwebby mess.

Step 11: Mildew and Mold Removal

So, if your bathroom is anything like mine, you have absolutely no ventilation.  That means that when you take a hot shower, all of the steam has nowhere to go, so you are essentially harboring a mildew farm on your ceiling.  I know it looks daunting and scary, but it's actually super, SUPER easy to get rid of that mildew and mold.  Are you sitting down?  Because you're seriously not going to believe how easy this is.  First... my before picture:

Mildew Removal: BEFORE photo

Yuck City, right?  Now... the after:

Mildew Removal: AFTER photo

WOAH!  It's GONE!  How'd I do it?  With just one ingredient: vinegar.  

Yes, that's right... just plain, straight, distilled white vinegar.  Pour some of that stuff in a bowl, soak your sponge in it, and wipe the mildew away.  Oh yeah, I said "wipe"... you don't even have to scrub!  Now, if you have mold spots, of which I had a few, you do have to scrub a little harder to get rid of those.  I found for some of them that I had to wipe over them with the vinegar, let it soak in for a bit, and then go back to it and scrub, but it all came off.  Ah-mazing!  {Thank you, Green Grandma, for this amazing trick!}

Step 12: Wash ceilings, walls, and doors

Using your All-Purpose Cleaning Solution, wipe down all ceilings, walls, and doors. 

Step 13: Clean grout and chrome - remove hard water stains and soap scum buildup

Now that you've gotten rid of the mold and mildew, it's time to tackle the hard water stains and soap scum buildup in your shower/tub.  To do this, get your Baking Soda Paste and old toothbrush.  Scrub all of the chrome in your tub and any areas of soap scum buildup and the hard water stains.  I also scrubbed my grout lines that had some mildew/mold on them.  I know, it's a pain in the butt, but it works, I promise. 

Once you finish, get the Vinegar/Water Solution and wipe off the baking soda mixture.  You may have to scrub and/or scrape some of the really yucky spots, but it's amazing how well this works with a little elbow grease.  When you finish, rinse everything off with warm water.

Check out how well this works:

Soap scum and hard water stain removal: BEFORE photo

Soap scum and hard water stains: AFTER photo

Amazing, right?  Now, I'll be honest with you - some of the really nasty hard water stains underneath the soap dish didn't come off the first day.  I went back to them the next day and I scraped everything right off with hardly any pressure.  So, be patient.  

Also - in regards to mold in grout lines - in some spots I was lucky and it came right out.  Others, not so much.  I really think that once the mold penetrates the grout, there really isn't anything (natural or otherwise) that you can do to remove it.  Re-grouting is pretty much your only option at that point.

Moving on....

Step 14: Clean showerhead, shower, and tub

Remove the baggie from the showerhead and scrub with the toothbrush.  Rinse.  Wipe down entire tub and shower area with All-Purpose Cleaning Solution.

Step 15: Clean window(s)

Vacuum any dirt/dust/bugs/cobwebs out of the inside of the window frame.  Wipe the outside of the frame and windowsill with All-Purpose Cleaning Solution.  Clean glass with Glass Cleaner.

Step 16: Clean light fixtures

Wipe down all light fixtures with All-Purpose Cleaning Solution.

***GREEN TIP - Replace your regular lightbulbs with energy-efficient bulbs! ***

Step 17: Clean mirror(s)

Use Glass Cleaner to clean mirrors.  A tip for leaving no streaks - wipe with a coffee filter.

Step 18: Clean sink

Similar to the way you cleaned the tub, start by scrubbing chrome and any hard water or old toothpaste stains with Baking Soda Paste and old toothbrush.  Wipe everything down with Vinegar/Water Solution.  Wipe/buff dry with a microfiber cloth.

***GREEN TIP - Check your pipes for any leaks to conserve water. ***

Step 19: Clean toilet

Wash outside of toilet with Vinegar/Water Solution.  Scrub inside of toilet with Baking Soda Paste.  Flush.  Wipe/buff outside dry with microfiber cloth.

***GREEN TIP - Install low-flow devices in toilet to conserve water.  If you're feeling really green, consider switching from toilet paper to family cloth!***

Step 20: Clean trash can

Wipe down inside before emptying disinfectant mixture.  Empty and rinse.  Wipe dry.

***GREEN TIP - Replace those plastic liners with an eco-friendly reusable liner like this: ***

Eco-friendly reusable trash can liner

Step 21: Vacuum baseboards and floors

You're in the home stretch!

Step 22: Wash baseboards and floors

Use your Floor Cleaning Solution.

Step 23: Take care of your drains

Put 1/2 cup of baking soda down your drain (a funnel is helpful).  Very quickly pour one cup of vinegar down the drain and cover.  Allow to bubble for about 30 minutes.  Rinse drain with hot water.  Repeat with all of your drains.

Step 24: Disinfect bath toys

If you have little ones in the home that use bath toys, make sure to disinfect those.  Plug your bathtub drain (this is great to do while you're waiting for the baking soda/vinegar to work it's magic in your drains).  Pour 1 cup vinegar and a few drops of lavender oil in the tub.  Add toys and fill with enough water to cover the toys.  Soak for about 20 minutes.  Rinse toys.

Disinfecting bath toys

Step 25: Replace linens

Time to put all of your clean linens back!  To conserve energy, let your linens air dry.  Hang up your curtains and shower curtain wet out of the washer - they'll air dry wrinkle-free!

***GREEN TIP - Replace that PVC shower liner with an ecofriendly, washable alternative. ***

Step 26: Freshen the air naturally 

Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil (I like cinnamon leaf) on a cotton ball and hide in an inconspicuous place.  This is much better for your home's air quality than store-bought fresheners!

And that's it.... you're done!  Whew!  Stand back and marvel at the beauty that is your freshly cleaned bathroom!  And most of all, take extreme pride in the fact that you didn't use a single chemical while doing it!  Job well done!

All done!

FREE CHECKLISTS

Looking for all of this information in one quick, downloadable, printable place?  You're in luck!  Here are *FREE* printable checklists:

{Read in sexy advertiser-man's voice:} Which checklist experience do you prefer? 

I WANT THE DETAILS, BABY!                    THE NON-SCARY ONE, PLEASE!