It’s All Squeaky Clean

You’d be surprised at the difference a deep-cleaning can make in your bathroom. Consider this advice the next time you tackle the grime in your tub

We don’t give presents for Valentine’s Day. OK, that’s not entirely true. Scott gets me flowers, but other than that our main gift to each other comes in the form of a special date. I’ve always been the type of person who appreciates a shared memory or act of kindness over a material object, so those are usually the types of presents I like to give.

Once, as part of a present to Scott, I deep-cleaned his bathroom. I know, cleaning a bathroom doesn’t exactly scream romance, but believe me, it was greatly appreciated. I got rid of the ring around the toilet and, most surprisingly, revealed the true color of the tub, which was white all over, not yellow with white patches and a gray bottom.

I was surprised at what a transformation a deep clean could do for the bathroom. If you’re in the mood to clean your tub or shower, whether for yourself or for someone else, consider these tips:

1. Soak the showerhead. Fill a plastic bag with vinegar and wrap it around the showerhead. Use enough so that the head is fully submerged, and secure it with a rubber band or tape. Let it sit for a few hours and then rinse it off. The vinegar will help to loosen up mineral deposits, which can keep the showerhead from functioning properly.

2. Wash your shower curtains. Use 1/2 cup laundry detergent and 1/2 cup baking soda, and add some dirty towels to the load. The towels will act as scrubbers and help to get off extra grime. If you have mildew stains, add 1 cup of vinegar to the first rinse. Hang the curtains to dry.

3. Tackle the grout. Apply vinegar to the grout and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Scrub it with a soft brush. For an even deeper clean, create a paste with water and baking soda and let it sit on the grout for a couple of minutes. Then, scrub it off using a soft brush. Remember to test small, inconspicuous areas before moving on to the entire surface to ensure the products do not damage the grout.

4. Use a steel-wool soap pad. This is by far my favorite tool for cleaning the shower. It helps to scrub surfaces clean with minimal effort. Just make sure to use care if your soap pad comes with colored soap. Rinse as soon as possible to prevent staining, and test small areas first.

Have a comment or question for Joanne? Email thefixisinhawaii@gmail.com.