For many homeowners and renters, cleaning the bathroom is their least favorite chore- one that’s often put off until it absolutely must be cleaned. But, what happens when your in-laws call to say they’re on their way and you don’t have the time, patience, or products required for the deep clean your bathroom deserves? If you’re crunched for time and your housekeeping reputation is on the line, here are some tips that will make your bathroom sparkle in minutes so you can put on a pot of tea and welcome your mother-in-law with open arms.
1. Remove Any Countertop Clutter
For best results, start at one end of the bathroom and make your way to the other side, removing anything that’s cluttering the countertops along the way. Toss any eye wrinkle creams, toothpaste containers, or mascara tubes into a bucket or container and place the container under the sink. If you think your visitors will take a peek behind the shower curtain, organize the shower caddy and remove any shampoo or body wash containers that may be sitting on the edge of the bathtub. While you’re at it, empty the trash can and straighten any hand towels you may have hanging for guests.
2. Dust and Sweep
To get rid of dust, especially in hard-to-reach places, grab a duster with a long handle and remove any cobwebs or visible dust accumulation. If you, your partner, or your children blow-dry or straighten their hair on a daily basis, there’s probably a lot of hair that’s accumulated on the floor. Instead of sweeping the hair into a dust bin, which often takes more time than it should, run the vacuum across the floor until the hair is gone. To save time, vacuum the area outside of the bathroom and any carpet in the living room or family room while you have the vacuum available and/or plugged in.
3. Alka-Seltzer in the Toilet Bowl?
Believe it or not, dropping a couple tablets of Alka-Seltzer in the toilet bowl is a quick and easy way to get rid of nasty toilet bowl rings- even if they’ve been neglected for a while. While the inside of the toilet bowl is important, don’t forget to clean under the seat and along the sides- areas where prying eyes may take a peak if they’re on the nosy side. This doesn’t have to be a complicated task- simply spray the outside of the toilet with all-purpose cleaner, and wipe with a clean cloth. If you have air freshener handy, spray a couple puffs into the toilet bowl before you close the lid; whoever uses the toilet next will be pleasantly surprised by the scent.
4. Pay Attention to the Mirrors
Since whoever uses the bathroom will likely look at themselves in the mirror while washing their hands, make sure that soap scum and toothpaste aren’t staring right back at them. Spray the mirrors with glass cleaner and rub in circles to prevent unsightly streaking. Then, use the same cloth to wipe over the rest of the vanity and the sink to pick up hairs, powder, and toothpaste residue. Grab a sanitizing wipe and focus on the faucet handles, the wall behind the faucet, and any light fixtures.
5. Focus on the Aesthetics
Now that your bathroom is (relatively) spick and span, at least to the naked eye, you can focus on sprucing up the area with flowers, candles, or air freshener. Although the space may be clean, certain smells may linger- especially if someone used the restroom a few minutes before your surprise visitors knock at the door. If you have a garden, run outside and pick some flowers and display them neatly on the vanity countertop. If you don’t have access to fresh flowers, light a candle or spray a few puffs of deodorizing spray to neutralize the odor.
Now that your bathroom is ready for visitors, take a second to survey the rest of the home. After all, a clean bathroom won’t matter much if the beds are unmade or the kitchen counters are cluttered with empty cans.