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ExecutiveChronicles | How Often Should You Clean Your Bathroom Floor? | Cleaning your bathroom floor is one of the tasks that most homeowners dread. It’s easy to understand why: It can be messy, time-consuming, and quite difficult.
The good news is that while a layer of human-associated microbes can coat your bathroom floors, they don’t necessarily pose a significant risk to your health. That being said, experts agree that you should clean your floor frequently. Toilet targets are also great and very helpful for not getting urine on the floor.
Sweep Every Week
Cleaning experts agree that the bathroom is one of the most used areas in the home, and it needs to be cleaned frequently. Generally, you should sweep and mop your floors every week to keep the space clean and hygienic. However, if anyone in the household is sick, you should increase the frequency of your cleaning regimen so that germs and bacteria don’t spread to other members of the family.
A dirty bathroom floor is a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and other bacteria that can cause unpleasant odors and health problems if left unattended. It’s also a potential slip-and-fall risk, thanks to water spills, shampoo and soap residue, and shaving splashes.
Sweep the floor and make sure to sweep along the baseboards once a week to remove any dirt, dust, or debris. To clean the floors, you can use a microfiber cloth or mop soaked in a solution of hot water and a sanitizing cleanser. Before you start mopping, remove all items from the bathroom floor, such as rugs or a trash bin, to give you a larger surface area to work with. Once you’ve mopped, use a clean mop head, and rinse it often to avoid spreading dirty particles around the room. Ensure the mop is completely dry before storing it away to prevent bacterial build-up.
In addition to sweeping and mopping your bathroom floors, it’s important to regularly wipe down surfaces like counters, sinks, shower knobs, and doorknobs to ensure they stay clean and free of germs. In particular, the toilet seat, tub, and shower curtain should be cleaned often to reduce the build-up of soap scum, hairspray, and other products. It’s also a good idea to refresh hand towels and wash your bath mat regularly.
If you have kids or pets, it’s a good idea to keep harsh cleaners out of reach, as they could ingest them or inhale them and suffer from chemical burns. If you need to use a stronger chemical in the bathroom, such as bleach, read the instructions carefully to prevent accidents or injuries.
Vacuum Every Other Week
Cleaning the bathroom isn’t usually one of the most fun household chores, but it’s a necessary task for maintaining the health and well-being of your family. The bacteria and fungi that grow in the moist environment of your bathroom—from yeast that causes infections like athlete’s foot to molds that can cause lung and sinus issues—can spread germs throughout the house, triggering sickness in anyone who comes into contact with them.
The best way to avoid this is by regularly sweeping and mopping your floor. This prevents the buildup of dirt, which can cause odors and lead to bacterial or fungal growth. It’s also a good idea to wipe down the counters, sink, and toilet every week. And if you use a bath mat, toss it in the wash each week along with towels and linens to kill bacteria that can grow on them.
First, sweep or vacuum the floor, says Inman, to get rid of loose dust and particles that can be easily washed away when you mop. This will also help to prevent the need for a deep clean by preventing the buildup of grime and dirt that’s more difficult to remove.
Next, dip a mop into your chosen cleaning solution, wring it out, and mop your bathroom floors. Work in small sections, paying attention to stubborn stains and corners. Once you’ve finished, let the floor dry completely before re-entry. This will allow the chemicals to dissipate and not leave behind a toxic smell that can linger for days.
Investing in a microfiber mop is a good idea to keep your floors looking their best. These can be a bit more expensive than traditional brooms, but they’re usually more durable and easier to maintain. They’re more effective than brooms at picking up dirt and debris from tight corners and crevices. They can be used with natural cleaners that are free of harsh fumes, which might be important if you have children or pets in the home who might come into contact with them.
Mop Every Other Week
A bathroom floor may not be as dirty as a kitchen or bedroom floor, but it still gets lots of moisture that can lead to mold and mildew. Moreover, all the activities in the bathroom—including teeth-brushing and face-washing, showers, baths, and peeing and pooping—can coat the floor with a thick layer of human-associated microbes.
Mopping the floor on a regular basis will keep it looking fresh and help reduce the risk of slips and falls. However, before you start mopping, make sure to clear the floor of any rugs or mats to give yourself full access to the floor surface. You should also sweep or vacuum the floor to remove any loose dirt, hair, and debris from the surface before you begin mopping.
Once the floor is clear, choose a safe cleaning solution for your flooring type and follow the instructions on the label for diluting it in a bucket of water. If you don’t have a commercial cleaner, you can use white vinegar mixed with water as an alternative. For the best results, using a clean sponge mop or rag to apply the cleaning solution is recommended, but you can also scrub stubborn stains with a brush dipped in the cleaning solution.
When you’re ready to mop, get started from the side of the room closest to the door. Dip your mop head in the cleaning solution and wring it out to avoid applying too much liquid to the floor, as too much water can damage some types of floors.
As you mop, work in small sections. Pay special attention to corners and other hard-to-reach areas. You can also use a disinfectant spray or wipe to hit those nooks and crannies.
When you’re done, rinse your mop and bucket with clear water to remove any lingering detergent residue from the floor. Then, dry the floor with a clean towel to prevent water spots and streaks from forming. Once the towel is dry, replace it with a fresh one to ensure you’re not reapplying dirt to the surface of your bathroom floor.
Sweep Every Other Week
Bathroom floors are a magnet for dust and dirt particles, thanks to all the wet activities and bodily functions that occur there. As a result, they can quickly become grungy and gross. But just because they’re often wet and covered with body fluids doesn’t mean they aren’t cleanable. In fact, regular cleaning and maintenance will keep your floor looking great and smelling fresh.
To get started, sweep the entire surface with a vacuum or broom and dustpan to remove any debris. This will help you avoid any build-up of grime that may be difficult to remove later on. Once a week, you can also try scrubbing the floor with a scrub brush and soapy water to get rid of any greasy build-up or sticky residue. Just be sure to scrub all your bathroom’s corners, nooks, and crannies, as these can be tricky areas for grime to hide.
If you’d rather not use chemicals, use natural cleaners such as vinegar and lemon juice. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer that works wonders on grease stains, while lemon juice can brighten up tiles and grout and remove rust from metal fixtures. Just make sure not to mix these two ingredients together, as it can cause toxic fumes that can irritate the nose and throat of those in the home.
Aside from sweeping and mopping the floor, you’ll also want to wash your bath mat each week. This will keep it looking nice and smelling clean and prevent the spread of germs and bacteria throughout your home.
As much as it might irk us to think about it, all of these microbes constantly on the move in our bathrooms don’t threaten our health. In fact, every surface in our homes is teeming with these organisms at all times, and exposure to them does not always lead to illness. However, it is important to note that the bathroom has a higher concentration of these microbes than most other rooms in the house.
