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While housework isn't my favorite activity no
matter what, there is one area that I can't
stand. The bathroom. If at all possible, I will
avoid cleaning the bathroom until it is so
pathetically dirty that even a spider would
rather find a new place to build his new home.
I do believe though that my first step to
bathroom cleaning recovery was recognizing
that I had a problem. Okay, I have recognized it.
I have also decided that my family does deserve
better, so for them, I will do my best to whistle
while I work and keep a bathroom that all will
love and adore -- if it is at all possible.
Now, before you think I have totally surrendered
to the porcelain throne -- I have not. What I have
done is decided to make my bathrooms virtually
self cleaning, so that I can spend my time doing
other fun things. I know that I am not alone in my
problem, so I am willing to share my five rules for
the continuously clean bathroom with you.
Rule # 1:
Start with a clean bathroom. Don't even think of
trying to have a continuously clean bathroom, if
you are going to start with a dirty one. Believe me,
I have tried. It doesn't work.
Rule # 2:
Everyday take a piece of toilet paper and wipe off
the back of the toilet behind the hinges. You know
the place. Wipe it even if it doesn't appear to be
dirty.
Rule # 3:
Dry or squeegie your shower walls, doors, and tub
after bathing. Teach your children how to do this, too.
This will virtually eliminate needing to clean your
shower. The only way to avoid rule # 3 is if you want
to use a "daily shower" cleaning product, that allows
you to mist it on your walls and doors and leave it.
Rule # 4:
Everyday, quickly wipe your counters and sink with
a damp cloth. If you wish, you can use a premoistened
bathroom cleaning cloth product or even baby wipes.
It even works to use a piece of toilet paper if your sink
doesn't have too much gunky stuff (like toothpaste) in it.
Put a hook or nail under your sink to hold your cloth so
that is can dry between uses. Be sure to to launder
your cloth once a week.
Rule # 5:
Erase the evidence. After taking a bath or shower, getting
ready for the day, or even just using the potty, make sure
when you leave the bathroom there is no evidence that you
have been there. This means putting your dirty clothes in
the hamper, putting away styling products, flushing the toilet,
and so on. Believe it or not, this is easy for preschool age and
up to do if you make it a game. Play detective and tell them
not to leave any evidence that they were there!
While the five rules for a continously clean bathroom are
wonderful and will save you a lot of time in the long run, it
is not the total answer. Once a week you will still need to
go in and do a detailed cleaning of your bathroom. The
good news is that if you have been following all five of the
rules, your weekly cleaning of the bathroom will take you
very little time. I can easily clean my bathroom from top
to bottom in about ten minutes now that I have been following
my five rules.
About The Author: Brandie Valenzuela is a wife and homeschooling mom of three, who loves scrapbooking, cooking, and spending time with her family. In her spare time, she publishes "HomeMade Living", a popular weblog for mothers, at http://homemadeliving.blogspot.com
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