Your bathroom is a breeding ground for germs, so it needs special cleaning attention. On a regular basis. Here are seven easy ways to have a clean and healthy bathroom.
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7 Tips for a Clean and Healthy Bathroom
This may surprise you, but your kitchen is the most germ-friendly room in your home. Your bathroom is a close second; it fosters all kinds of germs – especially when someone in your family is sick.
Bathroom heat and moisture make it a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. Ready to give your bathroom the attention it deserves? Here are seven tips for a clean and healthy bathroom.
1. Flush With a Closed Lid
My first tip starts with toilet – the one throne where everyone is royalty! Believe it or not, the toilet isn’t as dirty as you think. What makes it a breeding ground for germs is (1) not flushing the toilet, and (2) flushing with the lid open.
Germs can travel several feet and settle anywhere – from your towels to your toothbrush. Flushing an open toilet is a surefire way to spread germs and cause illness.
So close the lid before you flush. And share this important health tip with your family. Get everyone in the lid-closing habit, and the bathroom will be a whole lot healthier.
2. Protect Your Toothbrushes
What’s lurking in your toothbrush? How about bacteria, fungi, or viruses? Your toothbrush can have germs on it even after rinsing. This can raise your risk of infection and illness.
Do you store your toothbrush on the bathroom sink? Or share a toothbrush caddy with another family member?
To prevent the spread of germs, rearrange the toothbrushes so they don’t touch each other. An inch apart is a good rule of thumb.
Better yet, store your toothbrushes in a cabinet or vanity after they have dried. It’s easy for germs from the toilet to reach the sink, especially in a small bathroom.
Rinse your toothbrush completely after every use, and allow it to air dry. Replace it every few months, or after a cold or flu, to prevent re-infection. Is it time for a new toothbrush? Give this bamboo toothbrush a try.
3. Close Your Shower Curtain
Close the shower curtain by stretching it the full length of the tub after a bath or shower. Especially if someone in your family suffers from asthma or allergies.
Closing the shower curtain allows it to air out and dry. This helps prevent mold and mildew buildup. Otherwise, germs will grow in the folds because it can’t air out. What’s more, the shower curtain – and the whole bathroom – looks prettier with the curtain closed.
Wash and change your shower curtains on a regular basis. If the curtain or liner is vinyl, consider switching to a fabric curtain. Vinyl contains harmful chemicals that can disrupt your hormones and harm your health.
Fabric Waffle Weave Shower Curtain
4. Use the Bathroom Fan
Your bathroom exhaust fan does more than end offensive smells. Good ventilation in the bathroom prevents mildew and allergy irritations.
Let the bathroom fan run for at least ten minutes after a bath or shower to reduce mold and mildew growth. Leave it on longer – say 20 minutes – if you see moisture on the walls.
Table and tower fans are also good bathroom options. They can help you cool off as you get ready in the bathroom every morning. And the circulating air pulls the dampness out of the room.
5. Use Clean Hand Towels
Pretty fingertip towels look nice on the bathroom counter. But if you – and your family or guests – use them after washing your hands, you’re spreading germs.
Change your hand towels often, or use paper towels at the sink. Throw paper towels into a trash can and empty the can often.
Change your bath towels often, too. Eco friendly towels, such as cotton or bamboo towels, are healthy options.
I like these cotton textured towels from Welhome. →
Allow damp towels to dry before throwing them into the hamper. Wet towels harbor germs and encourage mold and mildew growth. This can stain your towels and give them a bad odor.
6. Rinse With Paper Cups
Ceramic, glass, and resin tumblers are stylish bathroom accessories. They also collect germs. When sipping water or rinsing your mouth, use small paper cups that you can discard afterward.
And don’t drink water from the shower. The shower head harbors bacteria and germs from the water heater. Use shower water only for washing, never for drinking.
7. Switch to Safer Cleaners
Traditional bathroom cleaners contain harsh chemicals and potential carcinogens. For a healthier bathroom, switch to non-toxic alternatives such as Bean and Lily.
Or use your own homemade cleaning products. They’re clean, green, and easy on the budget. Apartment Therapy has some simple recipes plus a list of non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients.
Wrapping It Up
Your bathroom harbors SO many germs, so clean it often. These tips are a good starting point for a clean and healthy bathroom. Please share YOUR tips in the comments. ◻️
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Reusable Rubber Cleaning Gloves
Now It’s Your Turn
Thank you for reading my post. Now it’s YOUR turn to chime in. How many bathrooms are in your home? How do you keep them clean and healthy?
Let’s fill the comments with friendly conversation. Scroll down to leave a response, ask a question, or just say hello. And if you liked this post, please give it a share.
Blessings, Annette
📋 NOTE – You are reading “7 Easy Ways to Have a Clean and Healthy Bathroom.” A version of this post appeared on HubPages in 2013. It has been updated for the Savoring Home community.
That’s a good article! Thank you for sharing. Plumbing leaks are another health hazard in your bathroom. They can cause extra humidity and mold growth. So, if you notice a leak, fix it immediately.
What a good reminder. Thank you for the tip.
Using safer homemade cleaners is actually a good idea. Commercial cleaners may be very hazardous. People who inhale the fumes of such cleaners may have damage to the throat, nose, and lungs. If you use off-the-shelf drain cleaners, the harsh chemicals in them can also corrode the pipes, which can lead to costly problems in the future – that’s why plumbers don’t recommend using them on a regular basis.
Thank you for the tip. Another reason not to use harsh chemicals: They can disrupt the good bacteria in your septic tank and harm your septic system.
I would suggest replacing the shower curtain with a glass shower door. It may seem expensive, but the lifespan of glass shower doors is longer, saving you money in the long run. Plus, glass shower doors are easy to clean and not prone to bacteria growth, which can benefit people with respiratory issues.
Thank you for reading my post. I appreciate the tip.