Cleaning the bathroom. It needs to be done. It always needs to be done! I don't love cleaning my bathroom but I do love having a clean
bathroom. I LOVE when my bathroom
fixtures sparkle! *dreamy grin*
Previously I would spend half an hour or more cleaning my bathroom each
week. Yikes! And I have more than one to clean!! It felt like I was never able to keep up with the bathroom filth. I was spending so much
time cleaning them and yet they always seemed dirty! So, I finally stumbled upon the
solution: a plan and a time limit! Following the plan was tough at first. I'm naturally forgetful. But after implementing and following this
plan over several weeks, I can now clean my bathroom in under 10 minutes.
Here's how:
The Philosophy
Have a plan of attack!
Clean high to low; cleaner to dirtier (as much as is possible).
Have a start plan and an end plan and an easily-flowing-plan
in between. Use a timer
to track how long (or how short!) you clean. Not only
will it help keep you motivated to finish quickly (in less than 10 minutes)
but I think it makes cleaning fun by turning it into a game. A game of beating the clock!
The Supplies (ABCD...)
Gather these before you begin cleaning. Store them together if possible. The best place is underneath the bathroom
sink. My bathroom cupboard is too small
so I keep my cleaning supplies on a shelf in the hall closet.
Abrasive Cleaner (homemade - recipe found here - or
store bought)
Bucket
Cloth/sponge/rag
Dish soap
Gloves (optional - I always clean with gloves)
Hand towel (a clean new one to replace the old dirty one
currently hanging in the bathroom. We will be using the old
dirty one to aid with our cleaning)
Mop (if you have a large bathroom)
Squeegee (optional - I find it to be the best tool for
cleaning glass and mirrors)
Timer
Toilet brush
Toothbrush (an old discarded one)
 |
| Fill your bucket and let's get started! |
The Plan
Remove the old dirty hand towel and replace it with the
clean new hand towel. Squirt some dish
soap into your bucket. Fill it half way
with warm water from the sink or tub. Set
10 minutes on your timer. Press
"Start". Let the games
begin!
In 3 Minutes
1. Dip your cloth in
your soapy bucket water. Clean the
mirror and window glass (if needed).
Use your squeegee/old hand towel to dry away any water spots.
2. Wipe down all surfaces.
Start high and end low. Clean light
fixture, shelves, picture frames, hooks, window ledge, chair rail, any
decorative items and the visible sides of the tub. (We will not be cleaning the tub itself in our 10
minutes. It's a task unto itself!) Rinse
your cloth out in the soapy bucket water as needed.
3. Wipe down the
bathroom cupboard fronts and handles. Rinse
cloth. Wipe dry with the old hand towel.
4. Wipe clean the
light switch and plate. Rinse cloth.
5. Wipe clean the
door handle, door and trim at hand level.
Rinse cloth.
 |
| Our home was built in the 50's and still has the original door handles. |
In 3 Minutes
Whew! That first 3 minutes went by lickity split! You got this!!
1. Shake some abrasive cleaner into the sink. Wet the old toothbrush under the faucet. Dip into the cleaner and scrub around the
drain hole and faucet. Use your cloth
and remaining cleaner to wipe down the rest of the sink and other objects (soap
dispenser, toothbrush holder, mouthwash decanter, etc.). Rinse out the cloth in the sink. Wipe down all surfaces again to wash away any
remaining abrasive cleaner. Rub the
faucet and knobs with the old hand towel until it sparkles.
2. Repeat step 1 if you have a second sink.
3. Wipe down any other items you may have in the
bathroom. For us that means the stool,
child toilet seat and potty. Rinse cloth
in bucket.
4. Wipe out garbage
can if you choose. Rinse cloth.
In 1 Minute
1. Wipe down the
toilet tank cover and sides of tank.
Rinse cloth.
2. Wipe down toilet
handle and behind the toilet seat. Rinse
cloth.
3. Wipe the top of
the toilet lid. Open lid and wipe the
inside of lid. Rinse cloth if needed.
4. Wipe toilet
seat. Leave cloth in bucket.
5. Lift toilet
seat. Sprinkle in abrasive cleaner. With a toilet brush, scrub the underside of
the toilet seat, inside the toilet bowl, and under the toilet bowl rim. Rinse toilet brush in toilet water.
In 3 Minutes
You're down to the last 3 minutes! You can do this!!
1. Throw Place the old hand
towel, cleaners and other cleaning tools outside the bathroom door.
2. Taking the cloth from your bucket, wipe
the floor around the toilet. Wipe the
foot and sides of the toilet. Wipe under
the front bowl of the toilet. Rinse
cloth as needed.
 |
| I was cleaning so quickly this shot is blurry! |
3. Wipe the floor behind the door in the bathroom.
4. Wipe (or mop if you have a large bathroom) the
rest of the bathroom floor starting at the end farthest from the door. Back your way towards the bathroom door,
wiping the floor as you go.
 |
| I like to clean my floors by hand. I'm "Type A" that way. |
Did you do it!? Did
you win!?
 |
| Gorgeous! |
Well done you!! Congratulations if you beat the 10 minute clock! What do you plan to
do with all those extra minutes you won? If you didn't win, at least you have a
clean bathroom. Your bathroom may be larger than mine and so you'll need 12 or 15 minutes to get it all done. The key to speed is cleaning frequently and repeatedly. You'll get faster each time. The good news is: you get another chance
to try and beat the clock next week!
Happy thoughts,
Andrea
Please leave any questions/comments below
God bless!
No comments:
Post a Comment