Cleaning the Bathroom

Bathrooms are warm, moist environments and so become prime targets for mould, mildew, and bacterial growth. The following natural antimicrobial cleaning treatments will help you keep your bathroom fresh and clean.

Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner
A natural antibacterial cleanser that helps you clean your home without hurting the planet. The aroma of the essential oils makes the cleaning experience a pleasure.

Ingredients:
1 cup  baking soda
2 tablespoons (or more) liquid soap
2 teaspoons tea tree essential oil
1 teaspoon peppermint essential oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar (optional)

Measure the baking soda into a bowl with a tight fitting lid.

Add approximately 2 tablespoons of liquid soap (either regular dish washing soap or a natural brand of liquid soap such as liquid Castile soap). Mix well to create a paste-like consistency. If you need more liquid soap to do this, add it a little at a time until the mixture is like a paste -- pliable but not soggy.

Once you have a consistency you feel like you can work with, add the essential oils and mix well again. The addition of vinegar last helps to boost the cleaning power.

To use, scoop out a little of the cleanser and use a sponge or other cleaning tool to gently scrub your tub, shower and sink surfaces. A little goes a long way and the antibacterial effect of tea tree gives you extra peace of mind.

All-purpose spray
Lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon essential oils make an all-purpose spray that leaves your bathroom clean and pleasantly scented.

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon borax
500ml (16fl oz) hot water
1/2 teaspoon natural liquid dishwashing soap
3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
15 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops lemon essential oil
Mix the borax and hot water and let it cool to room temperature. Pour into a spray bottle and add remaining ingredients. Shake well.

Sink and tub cleanser
A gentle polishing with baking soda, borax, and liquid soap cleans enamel porcelain, and fibreglass surfaces
without damaging the finish. Lavender and eucalyptus essential oils help to disinfect and add a fresh scent

Ingredients:
40g (1.3oz) baking soda
40g (1.3oz) borax
1 teaspoon natural liquid dishwashing soap
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Mix the ingredients together in a small plastic container Dampen the sink or tub and apply the scrub with a sponge or rag. Rinse well.

Natural bleaching cleanser
Hydrogen peroxide helps to bleach out stains that affect porcelain and fibreglass fixtures.

Ingredients:
60g (2oz) baking soda
1/2 teaspoon natural liquid dishwashing soap
1 teaspoon hydrogen peroxide
Mix the ingredients in a small plastic container. Dampen the sink or tub and apply the scrub with a sponge or rag. Rinse well with clean water

Floor disinfectant
Dissolve 30g (I oz) borax in 5 litres (I gallon) of hot water. Add five drops of patchouli essential oil and stir well. Use a mop, sponge, or rag to clean the floors.

Mould and mildew spray cleaner
This spray cleaner makes use of the antimicrobial properties of lavender and eucalyptus essential oils, and will help you prevent mould and mildew from growing in your bathroom.

Ingredients:
400ml (14fl oz) hot water
2 tablespoons borax
60ml (2fl oz) distilled white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
1/2 teaspoon lavender essential oil
Dissolve the borax in the hot water. Let it cool to room temperature, and pour into a 500ml (16fl oz) spray bottle. Add the vinegar and essential oils and shake well.

Preventing mould and mildew
Mould and mildew are far easier to prevent than to remove. Both thrive in a dark moist environment so make sure your bathroom is well-ventilated. Open the window after you bathe or shower and, if you have one, use the exhaust fan. Regular cleaning (at least once a week) also keeps fungi from gaining a foothold. Scrub the tiles and grout with a soft bristle brush and use an old toothbrush to clean smaller areas, such as the caulking around the tub or sink.

Heavy-duty mould and mildew cleaner
A strong solution of borax and tea tree oil helps to eliminate heavy concentrations of mould or mildew.

Ingredients:
120g (4oz) borax
500ml(16fl oz) hot water
1/2 teaspoon tea tree essential oil
Dissolve the borax in hot water, let it cool to lukewarm, and add the tea tree oil. Apply to the mildewed area with a sponge or brush. Let it sit for a few hours, and rinse well with water.

Grout cleaner
The grout between tiles is a favourite target for mildew and grime.

Ingredients:
60g (2oz) baking soda
60g (2oz) borax
80ml (3fl oz) distilled white vinegar
Mix the ingredients into a smooth paste. Scrub into the grout with a toothbrush and rinse well.

Gentle cleanser
This cleanser helps to disinfect surfaces and to stop mildew growing.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon borax
500ml (16fl oz) hot water
125ml (4fl oz) natural liquid dishwashing soap
20 drops juniper essential oil
20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Dissolve the borax in the hot water and let it cool to room temperature. Combine the solution with the soap and oils in a plastic squeeze bottle and shake well. Dampen the sink or tub and apply the cleaner with a sponge or rag. Rinse with clean wate

Shower head cleaner
When a shower nozzle becomes clogged with mineral deposits, soak the shower head in a mixture of equal parts of distilled white vinegar and hot water. Leave for one hour, and then scrub with a toothbrush.

Removing rust stains
Rub a paste of cream of tartar and lemon juice into the rust stains on porcelain sinks and bathtubs and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse well. Repeat if necessary.

Cleaning toilet bowls
Borax and lemon juice clean and deodorize toilet bowls and help to remove mineral deposits. Pour 120g (4oz) of borax and 60ml (2fl oz) of lemon juice into the bowl. Let it sit overnight. Scrub with a toilet brush, and flush to rinse. If the bowl is stained from mineral deposits, scoop water out of the toilet to lower the water level. Make a borax and lemon juice paste and rub it on to the inside of the bowl. Let it stand overnight then scrub and rinse.

Removing stubborn toilet rings
Mineral deposits that aren't removed with borax and lemon juice can be buffed off with a pumice stick or fine steel wool. Scoop water out of the toilet to lower the water level and expose the stains. Dampen the porcelain, and buff gently with the pumice stick or steel wool.

Polishing chrome fixtures
Remove water spots from chrome bathroom fixtures with a mixture of equal parts baking soda and distilled white vinegar. Apply to the fixtures, let dry, and polish with a soft cloth.

Shower curtain cleaner
Mix 60g (2fl oz) of borax, 125ml (4fl oz) of distilled white vinegar, and three drops of eucalyptus essential oil. With a soft-bristled scrub brush, scrub the mixture on to vinyl shower curtains and shower curtain liners once a month. Rinse well with warm water

Cleaning fabric shower curtains
Wash your fabric shower curtains with a mixture of 60g (2oz) of borax, 125ml (4fl oz) of distilled white vinegar, a mild natural laundry detergent, and warm water