5 Ways to Clean Your Bathroom With and Without Bleach
Keeping a clean bathroom can be challenging with our busy modern lives. Using harsh chemicals like bleach gets the job done but can irritate eyes and skin over time. Thankfully, there are several effective homemade cleaners you can make without bleach to keep your bathroom fresh.
Today’s hectic schedules make it hard to keep up with cleaning. Bathrooms in particular need regular scrubbing to remove soap scum, mould, mildew, and bacteria. While bleach is an efficient cleaner and disinfectant, the pungent fumes and potential for skin irritation mean you may want to use it sparingly.
Luckily, there are several alternative homemade cleaners you can make using gentle, non-toxic ingredients. Vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and other common household items can get your bathroom sparkling without the dangers of bleach.
Method 1: Clean Your Bathroom with Bleach
If you need to thoroughly disinfect or tackle stubborn buildup, bleach can be a useful cleaning tool. Just make sure to take proper precautions when using it.
What You Need To Clean Your Bathroom With And Without Bleach
- 1/2 cup bleach
- 1 gallon water
- Bucket
- Scrub brush
- Towels
- Rubber gloves
Steps to Clean Your Bathroom with Bleach
1. Put on rubber gloves and open windows to allow fresh air circulation. This prevents inhaling fumes.
2. In a bucket, mix 1/2 cup bleach with 1 gallon of water. This dilutes it to a safer concentration.
3. Use the bleach solution and a scrub brush to scour surfaces like tile, grout, tubs, sinks, and toilets. Apply elbow grease to problem areas.
4. Once finished, rinse all surfaces thoroughly with clean water to remove bleach residue. Wipe surfaces dry with a clean towel.
Tips to clean with Beach
Only use bleach on appropriate surfaces like tile, porcelain, and fibreglass. Avoid natural stones.
Never mix bleach with other cleaners, especially those containing ammonia. This creates toxic chlorine gas.
Always rinse bleached surfaces well with water. Bleach can irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs if left on surfaces.
Method 2: Clean Your Bathroom with Baking Soda and Vinegar
For a non-toxic cleaner that works on soap scum, stains, and mildew, mix baking soda and vinegar. The natural fizzing reaction cleans effectively.
What You Need To Clean Your Bathroom With And Without Bleach
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Scrub brush
- Towels
Steps to clean with Baking Soda and Vinegar
1. Sprinkle baking soda liberally on surfaces needing cleaning. Use about 1/4 cup per square foot.
2. Spray white vinegar over the baking soda. Let the fizzy reaction sit for 2–5 minutes.
3. Gently scrub surfaces with a soft brush to remove buildup. Apply more vinegar if needed.
4. Rinse surfaces thoroughly with water when finished cleaning. Wipe dry with a clean towel.
Tips: Baking Soda and Vinegar
- Safe for most bathroom surfaces, including tile, grout, tubs, sinks, and counters.
- The fizzing reaction helps remove set-in stains, soap scum, mildew, and grime.
- Leaves a fresh, clean scent in your bathroom.
Method 3: Clean Your Bathroom with Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfectant
Hydrogen peroxide is an effective bleach alternative that disinfects as it cleans. It won’t irritate the eyes, skin, or airways like harsh bleach can.
What You Need To Clean Your Bathroom With And Without Bleach
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Old toothbrush
- Towels
Steps to clean with Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfectant
1. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture directly on surfaces needing cleaning and disinfection.
3. Let the solution sit on surfaces for 5 minutes before scrubbing to allow it to work.
4. Gently scrub surfaces with an old toothbrush to remove buildup.
5. Rinse surfaces thoroughly with water and wipe dry with a clean towel when finished.
Tips
- It works great on mold, mildew, soap scum, and stains.
- The peroxide disinfects as it cleans.
- May gradually lighten grout over time with repeated use.
Method 4: Clean Your Bathroom with DIY All-Purpose Bathroom Cleaner
Make your own inexpensive, effective all-purpose bathroom cleaner using pantry ingredients. Add your favourite scent.
What You Need To Clean Your Bathroom With And Without Bleach
- White vinegar
- Water
- Lemon juice
- Essential oil (optional)
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloth
Steps
1. Fill spray bottle 1/3 white vinegar, 1/3 water, and 1/3 lemon juice Add 5–10 drops of essential oil if desired.
2. Shake the bottle before each use to mix the ingredients.
3. Spray cleaner directly on surfaces and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
4. There is no need to rinse this safe solution off surfaces afterwards.
Tips
- Customize the scent with lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, or other essential oils.
- It is great for removing soap scum, mineral deposits, and grime from sinks, counters, and faucets.
- Very inexpensive compared to commercial cleaners.
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Method 5: Clean Your Bathroom with Disinfecting Bathroom Wipes
Keep wipes on hand for quick daily bathroom touch-ups. Make your own with this easy recipe:
What You Need To Clean Your Bathroom With And Without Bleach
- Paper towels
- Water
- Rubbing alcohol
- Spray bottle
Steps
1. Mix 1 part water and 1 part rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture onto paper towels until saturated.
3. Store soaked wipes in an airtight plastic container.
4. Pull out a disinfecting wipe as needed to clean surfaces.
5. Toss and wipe in trash after use.
Tips
- Wipes are great for quick cleanups anytime.
- The alcohol disinfects surfaces as it cleans.
- Customize alcohol to water ratio as desired. More alcohol means more germ killing power.
Conclusion: A clean bathroom with no effort
While occasional use of bleach has its place for deep cleaning, it should be used sparingly due to its harsh fumes and potential to irritate skin and eyes. Luckily, there are many highly effective homemade cleaners for daily use that rely on gentle, non-toxic ingredients like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda.
Making your own bathroom cleaner allows you to control the formula and scent while saving money. Disinfecting wipes are ideal for rapid daily touch-ups. With these methods, you can keep your bathroom fresh and clean without needing harsh bleach very often!
FAQs
Is it safe to mix bleach and vinegar?
No, never mix bleach and vinegar. This combination creates toxic chlorine gas.
How often should I deep clean my bathroom?
Aim to deep clean your bathroom every 1-2 months. Do lighter maintenance cleaning weekly.
What’s the best way to clean mold in the bathroom?
Use hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and vinegar to clean and disinfect mold effectively.
Should I worry about fumes from DIY cleaners?
Most DIY cleaners use common household ingredients that are safe. Open windows and use gloves as a precaution.
How can I naturally make my bathroom smell fresh?
Add lemon juice or essential oils like lemon, peppermint, and eucalyptus to DIY cleaners for fresh scents.
