Best Bathroom Cleaning Tips & Tricks

Bath- it's a 4 letter word and really, is there any household cleaning chore more dreaded than tackling a bathroom? From soap scum and mildew to dirt and hair, cleaning this germ-filled room is no easy task.

We have compiled the top bathroom cleaning secrets so you can streamline the process and go from dirty to sparkling clean with these tips and tricks.

Best of all you can use many household items you already have in the pantry. No need to buy harsh chemicals, or call a professional cleaning company.

Cleaning Showers and Tubs

First Make Your Own Bath Cleanser

Combine 2 Cups Baking Soda and a 1/2 Cup Borax for a great non-abrasive scouring powder

Magic Cleaning Power of Vinegar

To clean a shower and bathtub, heat white vinegar until it is hot, but not too hot to pour into a spray bottle. Spray it on the shower and tub heavily. Wait 10- 15 minutes and then moisten a scrubbing sponge with more vinegar and elbow-grease down the shower. Use your homemade bath cleaner above for stubborn stains. Rinse well and dry.

Hard Water Stain Removal

Many bathtubs have a slip-proof bottom filled with dimples and bumps to keep you safe, but they are a pain to clean. Grab the homemade bath cleanser and then use a piece of Fine Drywall Sandpaper. It looks like window screen, you can find it in the hardware store. Cut the fine sandpaper into a workable size, apply the cleaner with vinegar and rub. Use on toilets too.

Scum Remover for Showers

For stubborn shower spots and scum buildup, use a dry soap-filled steel wool pad on a dry shower. DO NOT ALLOW WATER to become involved in this cleaning, as it will cause scratches to the surface. Next use the Hot Vinegar Cleaning Tip above and finish.

Keep Plastic Showers Clean With Wax

To make shower upkeep simple, apply a coat of car wax. WARNING: DO NOT use this on the floor of the tub or shower. After showering, use a squeegee to wipe down the shower door and walls, and your shower will stay clean and you'll have fewer problems with mildew.

Cleaning Porcelain Tubs

To clean and polish a porcelain tub and remove stains, make a paste of powdered alum and water. (Potassium alum is available in drugstores, grocery store spice or pickling section) Rub well, use like a scouring powder.

For stains, make a paste of powdered alum and lemon juice. Apply and let dry, then moisten with more lemon juice and rub well. Rinse thoroughly.

Secret Cleaning Tips for Toilets

Removing Hard Water Rings

Shut off the water at the toilet tank and flush. Spray white vinegar around the inside of the toilet, then sprinkle borax onto the vinegar. Let soak about 30 minutes and then scrub wit h a piece of fine drywall sandpaper (available at hardware stores and home centers). If you have an old hard-water ring you may need to repeat this several times.

Grandma's Special Cleaning Tablets

Go to Grandma's house and borrow a couple denture cleaning tablets, and place into the toilet, let sit overnight. Brush under the rim with your bowl brush and flush for that plop-plop, fizz-fizz special cleaning relief it is.

Other Bathroom Advice Made Easy

Tile and Grout Cleaner

Combine 2 parts baking soda, 1 part borax and 1 part hot water, adding additional water as necessary to form a thick paste. Apply to the tile and grout then scrub with a soft brush. Rinse well.

Removing Mineral Deposits from Shower Head

Fill a plastic sandwich bag with white vinegar. Tie it around the showerhead and leave overnight. In the morning remove the bag, scrub the head with a brush and it's ready to use– amazing, simple trick.

Washing Soap Scum & Mildew from Plastic Shower Curtains

Put the shower curtain in the washing machine with 1 cup of white vinegar, laundry detergent, and several light-colored towels. Fill the washer with warm water and run a gentle wash and rinse cycle. Remove from the washer and hang on the shower rod immediately.