The warmer temperatures and longer days can only mean one thing — spring has sprung here in Wisconsin! For many, that means spring cleaning — especially amid COVID-19 health concerns that have most of us at home and adding additional cleaning tasks to our to-do list. Regarding health, wellness, and cleaning, your bathroom is an important area to focus on. We’ve put together a short spring cleaning checklist and some steps to help clean your bathroom!
1. Gather cleaning supplies
Your first step to spring cleaning is making sure you have everything you need on hand to organize and clean your bathroom, including:
- Trash bags
- Dusters
- Rags/cleaning cloths
- Your preferred bathroom cleansers (glass cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, etc.). Bleach has been noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to tackle viruses like COVID-19.
- Mop
- Broom/dustpan
- Gloves
- An empty box or bag for donating
Making sure you have all the necessary items helps to minimize wasted time or to have to stop and start the cleaning process multiple times. We recommend creating a cleaning caddy that can easily be stored in the bathroom for easy access and ongoing cleaning. If you don’t have some of these supplies, consider online ordering or making the most of what’s already in your home (such as vinegar, a natural cleaner).
2. Pick up and clear the room
After you have the cleaning supplies, the next step is to pick up the bathroom, so you have access to all surfaces.
- Put the dirty laundry into the hamper.
- Remove rugs and wash them according to manufacturer instructions.
- Empty trash cans.
- Clear off counters. Wipe down containers and decor items as you go and set them out of the way while cleaning.
- Remove shower curtain and wash according to instructions.
3. Empty cupboards, drawers, and linen closets
Now that counters are cleared off, it’s time to clean out the areas that are often forgotten during routine cleanings and used for quick “stash-and-dash” scenarios when you’re short on time.
- Pull all items out of cupboards, drawers, and linen closets one at a time.
- Wipe down and sanitize everything as you go.
- Organize everything into piles of like items.
- Check any expiration dates and properly dispose of expired medications, lotions, makeup, etc.
- Throw away, recycle, or donate items you’re no longer using. If you have extra unused hygiene or cleaning items, consider donating to a local homeless or domestic abuse shelter — like Harbor House in Appleton or Day By Day Warming Shelter in Oshkosh.
4. Clean the bathroom
The room should be empty at this point, so you should have easy access to clean all hard-to-reach places.
- Dust the bathroom from top to bottom.
- Clean off the hard-to-reach areas like fans, vents, and lighting.
- Wipe down and sanitize all surfaces, including the vanity/counter, bathtub/shower, toilet, mirror, drawers, shelves, faucets, handles, etc.
- Clean and polish all wood surfaces, such as doors, crown molding, baseboards, window sills, etc.
- Sweep and mop the floor.
5. Finish up
At this point, the bathroom should look and smell nice and fresh. You’re almost done — all that’s left is a few finishing touches.
- Add everything back into the appropriate drawer/cupboard. Consider adding labels, so it’s easy for kids and other family members to stay organized.
- Refill soap, hand sanitizer, and lotion pumps around the sink.
- Hang fresh, clean towels on the towel racks.
- Replace clean rugs on the floor.
- Hang up the clean shower curtain.
- Take out the trash.
- Drop off any donations.
Other tips for spring cleaning your bathroom
Since you’re giving your bathroom some much-needed attention, you may have noticed a few things you’d like changed in your space. Spring is the perfect time to look for significant plumbing or bathroom design issues. Here are a few things to consider or look for…
- Leaks. The average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, according to the EPA, so the sooner you address it, the better. Leaks are often much easier to spot when your bathroom is cleared out and clean. Look for signs of leaks such as dampness or discoloration around faucets, drains, or under cabinets and vanities.
- Foul drain odors. If you’ve been noticing a weird smell coming from your drain, spring cleaning is the perfect time to address it. Often, all it takes is a few extra tasks on your spring cleaning checklist. You can learn more about what causes drain odor and what to do about it on our blog.
- Safety issues. Bathrooms pose several safety hazards, especially for aging family members. Safety is an issue all year round, but it’s generally easier to make changes and add in safety amenities, such as extra grab bars during the spring cleaning process when the bathroom is clean and organized.
Bathroom design trends. Could your bathroom use a little bit of an upgrade? Since you’re putting a lot of work and effort into cleaning your bathroom, you might as well add a few design and decor touches. Whether you’re looking for a few simple upgrades or a complete bathroom remodel in your Fox Cities home, check out the latest bathroom design trends for 2020 or contact our design team for some inspiration.