5 Steps to Maintain your New Bathroom Design

5 Steps to maintaining your new bathroom

You spent so much time dreaming about your new bathroom, saving photos of design ideas, discussing the plan with your bathroom design expert, and then watching the transformation take place. Finally, your dream bathroom is finished and you can enjoy your new space! Now you need to properly maintain this room to keep it looking good as new.

Here are a few tips for cleaning and maintaining your new bathroom.

• Use new storage space to stay clutter free.
  • Your bathroom renovation probably included a new vanity cabinet or recessed medicine cabinet with plenty of specialized storage. Use it!  Keeping the countertops and floor clutter free is the first step toward properly maintaining and cleaning your bathroom. A clear space will be more enjoyable and also make it easier to clean.
• Maintain new surfaces rather than waiting to do a deep clean.
  • Daily cleaning habits only take a few minutes and are the best way to make sure your bathroom maintains that new appearance. Bathrooms attract a lot of dirt, hair, soap scum, and moisture. Allowing this to build up not only leaves your bathroom looking grimy, but it can also cause damage to the new fixtures you carefully chose for your bathroom.

A prime example would be a glass shower enclosure, which looks sparkling and clear when it is installed. Every shower you take after that leaves soap residue on the glass that can build up and become difficult to clean.  It also leaves water spots, but water is harmless, right? No! Water spots can etch the glass causing irreparable damage over time. The simple solution is daily maintenance using a squeegee or m microfiber cloth to wipe down the shower. It may seem tedious, but this step only takes a minute and can extend the life of your glass shower.

Daily cleaning also benefits the sink and faucets, where soap residue builds up and evaporating water can leave mineral deposits. A daily routine of rinsing away soap residue and wiping down the sink and faucets with a microfiber cloth saves time and effort later.

• Regular or occasional cleaning will be a breeze once you follow a brief daily care routine.
  • Here are a few tips for keeping that new bathroom sparkling:
    • Scrub showerheads regularly with an all-purpose cleaner, or depending on the finish you may want to opt for a softer cloth. Several times a year clean your showerhead by securing a plastic bag filled with undiluted white vinegar over the showerhead. Leave it overnight, and in the morning scrub the showerhead and run hot water through it.
    • Spray the glass shower enclosure with a cleaner and wipe it down using a microfiber cloth or old t-shirt. For built-up dirt, you could occasionally use a “magic eraser” or even wipe the glass with a dryer sheet.
    • For a tub, tile walls, and floor, run hot water with the bathroom door closed before cleaning. Steam and heat help to loosen dirt and make cleaning easier. You can use a standard or disinfectant cleaner unless otherwise instructed.
  • There are many effective natural alternatives to harsh cleaning products.
    • If you are concerned about the effect of harsh cleaning products on the environment, as well as your product finishes and skin, consider using more natural cleaners. Everyday household products like vinegar and baking soda can be very effective in keeping your new bathroom clean.
      • Let vinegar sit in metal tracks around a shower door to loosen dirt and then wipe clean.
      • Baking soda can be an effective alternative when cleaning grout lines.
      • Combat moisture by allowing light and air to circulate, by making use of fans and natural light sources.
    • Some products or finishes may require particular cleaning products or special care.
      • Your bathroom design expert should advise you if there are any special cleaning requirements or restrictions for your products. Most products used in a bathroom wear well and are designed to withstand moisture and dirt.  Some products or finishes are more susceptible to wear and tear.  Get informed before finalizing product selections if your chosen faucets, countertop, or floor need a special care routine.

BONUS TIP!  If you are still thinking about a bathroom remodeling project, then consider picking a design that is easier to maintain.  A frameless shower, for example, is much easier to clean than one with a metal frame or tracks.  Better yet, go for an open shower design that gives your bathroom a spa-like feel, is accessible, and is much easier to keep clean!