Can My Bathroom Really Sparkle?

The answer: Kinda! If you scrub it from top to bottom, though it might not shine like a TV commercial, it will look better, smell better, and feel fresh and bright. Sparkle!

It’s a good practice to choose one day each week to do a full bathroom cleanup. But some tasks are better to do every day — like wiping down the counter and cleaning up potty messes right away.It also helps to put things like toothpaste and hair products away after you use them. When they sit on the counter, the bathroom looks messy. No cabinet or drawers? Use a plastic container from a dollar store to hold everything, then put it away when you’re done.

Note: If money is tight, or if strong cleaners make someone around you sick, you can make your own cleaner with baking soda, vinegar, and a little dish soap.

• Turn on a fan or open a window.
• Put on gloves if you have them.
• Throw away trash and empty the bathroom trash can.*

• Spray a little cleaner on the sink and counter.
• Let it sit for one minute.
  • Start Action Step 3 while waiting and give the windowsill a swift wipe.
• Go back to the sink. Wipe it and the counter with a sponge or rag.
• Rinse the sponge and wipe again.

• Put a little cleaner or a small splash of bleach in the bowl.
  • Let it sit while you do the next step.
• From top to bottom, wipe the entire outside bowl, lid, both sides of the toilet seat and around the base with cleaner and a rag.
• Use a brush or rag to scrub inside the bowl.
  • Afterward, you can let the brush drip into the toilet by putting the lid down on top of handle.

• • Spray bathroom cleaner or use your homemade version like this:
  • • Sprinkle baking soda on dirty spots in the tub or shower.
    • Spray or pour a little vinegar on top.
    • It will bubble.
  • Let it sit a few minutes.
  • While waiting, spritz the mirrors and wipe with a fresh rag. Wipe any spray that falls on faucets for extra sparkle.

• Scrub the tub or shower with a sponge or rag.
• Rinse well with water.

Note: Don’t assume that if you do laundry in the tub, it is cleaned by that process. It is not. See the ring in the picture.

• Sweep the floor.
• Wipe the floor with a damp rag or mop, paying extra attention to corners and tight spots.
• Put out a clean towel if you have one.
• Take out the trash.*

A clean bathroom is worth the effort. It helps stop germs from spreading and making people sick. Every scrub and wipe adds more shine, turning the space into a bright, fresh place that doesn’t just look clean — it sparkles!

*Good job for small hands to help