Monday, March 9, 2009

Spring Cleaning- Main Bath





I am totally unprepared for this morning, our Internet was having some issues and I haven't been on for 2 days! AHHHH!!!! I felt SO out of the loop. Especially since we don't have TV. SO, now I am back and hopefully can get everything on today!

This week, we will be working on the Main Bathroom. This is the bathroom that everyone uses, including guests when they come to your house. Are we ready??? I Am!!!

First, lets talk GERMS. Yeah. In the bathroom, as you can imagine there are LOTS of them. And we are going to try to get them all cleaned, and learn how to keep the germ level down....






  • Did you know it is recommended that you flush the toilet with the lid DOWN? According to Charles Gerba, PhD, a professor of microbiology at University of Arizona in Tucson, flushing the toilet with the lid up is not wise. "Polluted water vapor erupts out of the flushing toilet bowl and it can take several hours for these particles to finally settle -- not to mention where," he says. "If you have your toothbrush too close to the toilet, you are brushing your teeth with what's in your toilet." Nice. I knew you would like that one.



  • About scrubbing your tub/ shower- These should be cleaned to help reduce the spread of viruses, fungi, and bacteria. "Do it at least twice a week with a disinfectant that contains bleach," Horowitz says. Here's what can happen if you don't: "Germs can line the walls (of the tub) and you can easily touch the surface and then touch your mouth," he says. What's more, the dead skin cells that sit on inside of the tub can be contaminated. If someone with a cut or open wound goes in the tub, those organisms can infect that wound and increase the overall load of bacteria." Sweet.



  • Wipe down sinks and drains each day with a cleanser containing chlorine bleach. This will knock out 99.9 percent of fecal organisms. Countertops, appliances, and faucet handles should get the treatment two or three times a week, and toilets, tubs, and showers once a week.



Just a few little tidbits to gross you out this fine day! So what is the PLAN???




This week we need to:



  • Give the shower/tub area a good scrub down. Use a really good cleaner and even get out a scrub brush and scrub every inch of that shower. Use this as an opportunity to clean out any unused items from the shower, like the rest of that conditioner that you don't use anymore, or the old razor.



  • Also, replace you shower curtain, if it needs it. If you have a cloth one, take it off and wash it this week. Usually they recommend not drying these in the dryer, so they should be fine hanging them a little damp. My suggestion would be to wash the curtain either first thing in the morning or right before bed. And let it dry at a time when not many people will touch it. I would do it during the day when my boys are at school.



  • Sweep. Wipe down the floors and the walls with a disinfecting cleaner. Clean the mirror. Wash your curtains. All of these things on the walls and floor will catch any germs as the toilet is being flushed with the lid up.



  • Clean your sink. Clean Anything that is also sitting around your sink. I use an old toothbrush around the faucet fixture. You would be grossed out on how much dirt those boys drag in... Summer is horrible! And then it sits around the faucet. Make sure you are wiping down your sink area DAILY. Especially if anyone in you home is sick with colds or flu.



  • Rid out you cupboards. Organize! This is needed in my bathroom! I get so many good deals on things in all kind of gets shoved in our cupboards and then, doesn't really scream organized. Add baskets and drawers, as needed to organize your toothbrushes, combs, and other person items.



  • Have a laundry hamper. This seems to go with out saying but it does reduce a lot of mess in a bathroom if there is somewhere for those dirties to go! And if you already have a hamper make sure you clean it!!! This is also a place for germs and bacteria. Spray this down regularly with a disinfecting spray.



  • If everything working? Make sure you get those things fixed this week. Are all of the light bulbs working? Anything else need done?



  • Last but not least, how is the decorating? Did you want to do anything different? Add anything new? Now's the time!
Here are the pictures of my bathroom:
Oh, the shame... Here is my horrible cupboards. I get so many great items by CVSing, I just haven't got a good organizational system.... The shame of a dirty cupboard, does NOT feel good...
No, I do not use 3 razors at once. And this is getting a good scsrub down, and a new shower curtain...

What is YOUR plan for this week? Let me see YOUR bathrooms, PLEEEZZZ!!!





3 comments:

Megan said...

EWWW internet down...

glad to have you back!!

Megan said...

That's weird, I know I linked it hours ago! anyway I think it's there now. thanks for letting me know!

Anonymous said...

Somehow I missed this blog and have just been reading Muddy Boots. You are quite the home maker! I am loving all the tips and encouragement over here. Def adding this to my reader as well.
Last week I read the kids room post on Friday. Friday afternoon I rearranged and cleaned their room. It is TONS better. I still have more work to do, kinda got a late start, but was so inspired.

Now I am inspired to also tackle my germ infested death trap, thanks to all that lovely info you shared today. :-)

Thanks!!