Bathroom Cleaning Made Easy

Let’s make cleaning easy one room at a time. 

Don’t work hard, work smart. Do light cleaning or maintenance each day, and thoroughly clean one room each week.
Remember, keeping things where they belong, cleaning spills and picking trash the moment you see it, makes cleaning easy in the long run. I dry sink and counter area after each use and wipe mirror when I see it smudged; this simple effort makes the bathroom look fresh and clean, between deep cleanings.  

Make a to-do list for every room, according to your specific needs and keep it behind room door; for example:

• Toilet
• Bathtub
• Shower
• Shower door/curtain
• Tiles and walls
• Vanity and sink
• Cabinets
• Mirror and metal fixtures
• Floors
• Baseboards
• Rugs
• Window sill and window treatments
• Walls and vents dusted
• Cobwebs removed
• Cups and toothbrush holders cleaned
• Towels washed and replaced

I hate dirty toilets so, I always keep a scrubbing brush and bowl cleaner and disinfectant behind each toilet, and clean bowl and seat as needed.

Suggested routine for deep bathroom cleaning (I do deep cleaning every fifteen days, since I keep it tidy with regular maintenance)

• Pick up rugs and dirty towels, start washer to have it done by the time you finish cleaning
• Empty trash containers
• Remove everything from tub and shower
• Clean the soap dish, shower caddy and bottles
• Spray shower and tub with cleaner of choice, I personally like Clorox base products, but many people prefer milder cleaners, allow it to soak a while

• Spray/clean all surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner, including toilet, and wipe dry

• Dust or damp wipe crown moldings, ceiling features, lights, fans, etc. See there are no cobwebs on corners and behind cabinets and toilet
• Clean baseboards with disinfectant spray
• Go back to shower and tub and finish scrubbing, use soft scrub and a brush if necessary to remove soap scum in between tiles and other dirt, you can use rust and scum remover if needed. Rinse walls and wipe dry
• Clean shower door tracks, using brush if needed. Wipe dry
• Scrub clean faucets, sink and countertop with antibacterial sprays –keep disinfectant spray and a small cleaning towel under bathroom sink to wipe and dry counters after each use – this avoids scum build-up. Wipe dry
• Rinse rag and wipe down cabinet fronts
• Clean mirrors and shine faucets with glass cleaner

• Clean floors with a mixture of disinfectant soap and warm water, using a mop or cleaning towel – I personally like fresh smelling cleaners like Fabuloso 
• Replace towels, mats, rugs and waste baskets, lined with new liners

After cleaning your bathroom, you will be ready for a long bath or shower! It doesn't matter how big or small with bathroom is, taking a bath in a clean bathroom makes anyone feel great!   

Organizing the Bathroom

When I look at a room my first question is “What do I need in this room everyday?”

What do I need handy?

On top of the counter I keep tooth brushes, and small caddy with Q-tips, cotton balls, day and night creams, face cleaner and lipsticks, and all toiletry items under the sink.

Make your own list of things you want to have in the bathroom for your convenience: face creams, soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotions, tooth paste, tooth brush, cups, towels, toilet paper, tissues, Q-tips, etc. What’s not on your list will be clutter and should be stored somewhere else.  

I like to keep a cleaning rag, room deodorizer, spray disinfectant and mirror-cleaner under the sink, in each bathroom.

I recently found an under the sink organizer I can finally recommend: it’s a two tier, expandable organizer. The ones I had previously tried were fixed and not particularly adaptable for the space; the only inconvenience I find with this one is, I had to place a plastic cover on top of the rack to keep small items in place. But, for the versatility it offers, I really like it.

 

Organize towels next to shower and tub. Do you need a towel rack? A small bench? Step-up for children? 

We don’t have much space in our bathroom, so we build a shelf above the toilet to keep extra towels and store the rest in the linen closet.

 

Have a shower caddy with bath essentials

 

I keep a scrubbing brush and toilet bowl cleaning and disinfectant behind each toilet, and clean bowl and seat as needed. In another post we will talk about bathroom cabinet cleaning and medicine cabinet maintenance.

 

Bathroom Cleaning Tools List:

Scrubbing sponges

Cleaning rags

Roll of paper towel

Cleaning brush

Clorox

Scrubbing powder

Soft Scrub

Toilet bowl cleaner

Toilet bowl Brush – keep next to toilet

Glass Cleaner

White vinegar

Spray disinfectant

Broom

Mop

Cleaning bucket

Room deodorizer or Lysol spray

 

Next, we will go step-by-step on how to clean your bathroom, the easy way!  

 

Kitchen Drawer Organizer

I don’t pretend to know it all around the house. What I do is, thoroughly research available options when I need to buy anything and share my findings with others. However, before spending a dime, I ask myself “Do I really need this?”  and avoid wasting money needed for other things around the house. There is an old Spanish proverb I live by: “Cuida los centavos, los pesos se cuidan solos” (take care of the pennies, the dollars take care of themselves). I have found this expression to be true in all areas of life.  But once in a while, I cave-in and buy something I like, only because it looks nice. Such is the case with the cutlery organizer I recently purchased and ended been advantageous. I am sharing the before and after pictures.

The ones I had for several years, although off-white, were unmatched.
The new ones are expandable, giving me more space in the drawers, and looks better organized.

Then I used my old dividers to organize the “everything drawer” in the kitchen

Ideas for Closets

When our environment is organized, life is more comfortable and convenient, allowing us to relax and enjoy our loved ones. Organization is my hobby and it makes me feel in control; also pleases me when the setting is visually harmonious.  Some call it Feng Shui, I call it well organized and clutter free.
The master bedroom closet in our home was poorly designed, impossible to organize. The top shelf on one side was 9’ long by 10. 5” deep, the other side was 6’ long by 10.5” deep; both too narrow for storage of large items on top. There is a tall set of shelves on the far wall, not enough for two people. We looked around for solutions, finding great big budget ideas; but spending much money was out of the question and the mess drove me crazy. My husband and I set out to redo our closet spending no more than $100.00.
We found different cube organizers, all 10” wide, with great potential. We decided to widen the 6’ long shelf using a 3” wide wood plank, designating it for storage of suitcases and large items without any dividers.
We purchased 3 three-tier cube organizers to use as dividers, and attached them sideways to the 9’ long shelf to store folded clothing, handbags and other items; at a price of $21.00 each.

You can see the results

A Great Kitchen: The heart of the home

This kitchen is a testimony of thrifty planning with limited budget. We didn’t like the kitchen, low ceilings, Formica countertops with an awkward island in the middle, and cabinets stained almost black, making the room feel tight and dark and floor tiles different from adjacent family room.

Since we couldn’t make the ceiling higher, we decided to get white cabinets with marble counter tops and a modern backsplash, to bring light in. We were shocked by the estimates for a kitchen remake, ranging from $20,000 to $40,000.00. After reviewing the cost of changing cabinets, we started to like what we had and began focusing on the positives: they were wood cabinets already installed and could be painted. The kitchen island, could be moved to make a breakfast counter, and the remodel could be made the thrifty way, saving money by finding a handiman and lower prices for each task:

• Rearranging the cabinets and installing the island $625.00.
• Painting cabinets $1,800. Two discounted marble slabs $900.00.
• Marble cut and installed $600.00.
• Recessed kitchen lights and three hanging lights $300.00 plus $457.00 installation.
• Travertine tiles at $1.20 square foot, plus installation at $3.30, comes to about $405.00 for entire kitchen floor.

Being thrifty (looking for the lowest possible price) and snobbish (not budging on quality and style), we got a brand new kitchen for $4,787.00. We are very happy with a highly functional and inviting space, where everyone ends up gathering.    


I appreciate your suggestions, comments and questions.
  

Drawer Organization

I just found a great drawer divider for organizing socks and underwear. It’s a honey comb shape organizer, better than ones I had, because it doesn’t collapse and can be extended for larger drawers. The price is about $9.00 for two, 18 slots. I highly recommend it.

Great Findings

Every so often, one finds a product so practical and convenient that it needs to be shared: The Empanada Maker Machine.  I just used it for the first time, its a little contraption that helps seal empanadas or turnovers without braking the dough. In our family, we make empanadas for every imaginable occasion. Everyone loves it and its easy to make; the tricky part for me has been folding the dough. I bought The Empanada Maker Machine at Ross, but founded on the internet; it comes with three different size folders, and the empanadas look great. Although I hate to have unnecessary gadgets cluttering drawers, this one is a must have, if you like to make empanadas!

Organizing the Pantry

When it comes to home organizing, every family has different needs and solutions; I share what works for me, encouraging to try different methods until finding what really works within your lifestyle. Warning! Organizing can become a fun hobby, that saves money.

When raising my children, I kept the pantry and refrigerator overstocked because I didn’t have time for grocery-shopping during the week. Now, with only my husband and I at home, less is more. Buying big quantities to save money we ended-up wasting food; so we decided to keep both pantry and refrigerator understocked, keeping track of expiration dates and buying what we really need for the week.

I organize the pantry from left to right, placing newer items to the left and consuming what is to the right (many find easier, placing older items in front and newer in back). Place items frequently used at eye level, within easy reach and open boxes (pasta, cereals, flours, rice, etc.) in plastic containers.

 

 

Top shelf: cereals and dry goods such as tortillas, potatoes chips and other salty snacks.	Flours, Crackers, nuts
Second shelf: canned goods such as evaporated milk, fruits, peanut butter, Nutella and other sweet snacks	Chocolate, sweet preserves, sugar, honey, teas and coffee, dry fruits, Baking goods
Third shelf: canned soups and vegetables, oils, vinegar, canned tuna and other canned goods	Miscellaneous cooking goods: Rice, beans, Pastas, etc.
Bottom shelf: Paper good and heavy items	Big bottles and heavy bags

 

One can spend hundreds of dollars on fancy containers, there are innumerable ideas for storage in the internet, but what is really needed is see-though plastic containers that keep bugs out and prolong shelf life of goods. I use zip locks and recycle big containers with tight lids. For labeling keep a roll of masking tape and sharpie in the pantry.

Organizing all areas of the home can be a creative and fun hobby, much like keeping a scrap book, while saving money.

 

Organizing the Kitchen

The only way to avoid house cleaning is by keeping it clean! 

Cleaning is a habit; once we get used to it, is not that difficult. Its easier to cook in a clean kitchen and meals are more enjoyable if a mess is not waiting in the kitchen:

• Aim at having clutter-free counters returning items to designated storage place (pantry, cabinets, refrigerator, etc.) after use.
• Designating a place for everything makes life easier, and knowing where everything is saves time and money; people buy things they already have just because they can’t find.
• Don’t let dirty dishes sit in transit on counter, placed them in dishwasher or sink.
• Wipe clean all spills from floors, counters and appliances the moment you see it, don’t let it sit; spills harden and/or stain and someone –meaning you, will have to clean it later
• If you involve children in cooking process cover floor, so they can truly enjoy the experience without adding work to your routine
• As a matter of hygiene, keep pets away from food preparation area

I like to work smart, not hard; so I place a great deal of effort organizing each room once, and doing regular maintenance as needed, keeping it tidy. Each week I deep-clean one area (bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms, living room, etc.).
I reduce work load by keeping things in its place, tidying and cleaning the moment I notice it, placing trash in containers, laundry in basket, etc.
I cook with a scrubbing sponge and cleaning rag handy, to clean the splatter from the stove while cooking, It saves me from having to scrub baked-in grime after cooking.  I only spend about ninety minutes per day cleaning the entire house.

Organizing the kitchen:

There is a logical way of organizing kitchen items according to need, frequency of use and availability/use of space. Ask yourself: What items do I really need in the kitchen? How often do I use it? What do I need on hand?

A dynamic work triangle

The stove, sink/dishwasher and the refrigerator, form a dynamic work triangle in the kitchen; organizing the kitchen within this dynamic space, makes activities flow easier. That’s why some kitchens invite while others deter, for example: refrigerator located away from drinking glasses, stove without adjacent counter for food preparation, dishwasher or sink separate from dish cabinets.

I like to have: 

• Spices stored on counter above or next to stove, in between stove and sink, to facilitate meal preparation and washing
• Baking and cooking spices separate –although in the same cabinet, to find faster
• Cutlery, cooking spoons, can opener and other utensils, in an open container next to stove, for easy access or in drawer next to stove

• Baking utensils (measuring spoons and cups, mixers, spatulas, brush, etc.) in a drawer, close to oven
• Dishes stored in cabinet above dishwasher
• Cups and coffee mugs in cabinet above coffee maker or next to serving dishes

• Glasses in cabinet next to refrigerator

• Serving dishes, between refrigerator and stove, for easy reach both ways
• Silverware, in drawer closest to dinning area
• Kitchen towels and apron in drawer close to sink
• Plastic wraps, aluminum foil, plastic storage bags, in drawer close to refrigerator
• Serving tools and serving mats, drawer close to dinning area
• Wine opener and gadgets, drawer close to refrigerator
• All small appliances can be stored in cabinets below counter
• Cooking pots and pans, in cabinets below counter, next to stove
• Baking pans in cabinets below counter, preferably separate from pots and pans
• Cleaning products for daily use, under sink

You get the idea… the closer to the area where item will be logically used, the easier to find

Please share your thoughts, suggestions, questions and ideas to come up with the best solutions together 

Living Room

There are no rules about the furniture in your home; choosing furniture is a matter of personal taste and comfort. We are going to concentrate on how to keep our space clean and organized for ease and convenience.  

The key to easy maintenance in any room is simplicity: AVOID CLUTTER

I like family pictures so I keep framed photos of children and grandchildren on the coffee and end tables. I also like interior design magazines and decorative knickknacks within reach. Publications with articles of interest go into a binder after a few weeks, and get discarded every six months if not used. 

 

Daily routine: Pick up trash and tidy-up entire area, straightening throw pillows and table ornaments.

 

Weekly tasks:

• Wipe clean door frames and steps, window sills and baseboards, using a soapy mixture. I personally like lavender scent disinfectant soap.
• Dust and wipe tables, lamps, pictures and decorative items using a microfiber dust cloth. I like to use a soft brush to get dust out of intricate details in furniture and decorative finishes
• Vacuum upholstery furniture
• Clean wood furniture using a dusting cloth and furniture cleaner such as Orange Glo – I like to use a mixture of Olive oil and Apple cider vinegar, wet the cloth and spread over surface, then dry and shine with clean dusting cloth.
• Clean glass surfaces with white vinegar or Windex Glass Cleaner, wipe with paper towel or crumpled newspaper sheets. I recently discovered a glass cleaning product that is truly amazing, ammonia-free Spray Away.
• Vacuum carpets and floors and under furniture, using hose extension.
• Clean floors with appropriate cleaner such as Murphy Oil Soap for wooden floors and Genie Floor Polish for ceramic and other hard floors following manufacture’s instructions.

 

We will discuss deeper cleaning in future postings