Introduction to Bathroom Cleaners

To keep a bathroom sparkling clean and smelling fresh, a variety of cleaning products are needed. Some bathroom cleaners are multi-purpose and some are formulated for a specific use. If you do not wish to use commercial products, natural cleaners can easily be made as alternatives.

Floor Cleaners
Bathrooms are a high traffic area, and the floors show it. A bathroom floor needs a cleaning product that can deal with dirt, footprints, germs, cosmetic product residue, and hair. Many different types of bathroom cleaners can be used on floors, depending on what type of flooring you have. If you have wood or linoleum flooring versus tile, be sure that the product you choose is safe for that material.

Some companies make specially shaped bathroom floor cleaners — somewhat like mops, but with damp cloths that attach to the head of the cleaner and can be thrown away. Other people prefer to use mops with traditional mop solution, or newer antibacterial solutions. Another way of cleaning a bathroom floor is to get down on your hands and knees and use a sponge or a damp rag. This can be done with mopping solution, vinegar and water, or hot soapy water.

Toilet Bowl Cleaners
When looking for bathroom cleaners for the toilet bowl, it is wise to find cleaners that are antibacterial or contain bleach. Many of them are packaged in a way to more easily apply to the toilet bowl. Products that are in gel form cling to the side of the toilet bowl, making for a more effective cleaning than liquids. A toilet brush is needed — either a toilet brush that fits into a holder so that the head of the brush is not exposed, or a newer toilet brush with a disposable head.

Shower and Bathtub
There are many different bathroom cleaners that can be used for cleaning the bathtub and shower. Some of them are meant to be sprayed onto the tub or tile each day to reduce the buildup from hard water or soap scum. Using a squeegee to remove water from shower doors, also helps to reduce buildup.

To clean bathtubs and showers that require deep cleaning, an abrasive powder that may or may not contain bleach can be used. Sprinkling the powder onto the damp tiles or tub and mixing it with a small amount of water makes it more paste-like. If the tub or tile is very dirty, let the paste sit. You can then use the scrubbing side of a sponge to clean the bathtub. Alternatively, you can use a liquid or gel abrasive cleaner.

Natural Cleaners
For people looking for natural bathroom cleaners, white vinegar is a useful item to have around. Mixing vinegar and water cleans shower tiles if they aren't too dirty. Put one part vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle, and spray it on the tiles. Scrub with a sponge. This works as a natural cleaner on tubs, tile, and glass shower doors. Rust stains can be tackled by making a paste of cream of tartar and water.

To clean mirrors without using commercial products, use club soda. Fill a spray bottle with club soda — regular, not low-sodium club soda — and spray it on the mirrors, wiping it off with a clean cloth.

To clean the toilet using natural bathroom cleaners, mix three cups of white vinegar, with ten drops of tea tree oil. Together, the vinegar and tea tree oil disinfect the toilet bowl. Pour the mixture into the toilet bowl, carefully so as not to splash. Leave the mixture in the bowl for at least 15 minutes and scrub with a toilet brush.