This article will show you how to clean bathroom fixtures, including faucets, shower heads, drains, faucet aerators, and shower caddies.
There’s no one “supreme” method for cleaning all your bathroom fixtures. The approach will vary depending on the type of fixture you want to clean. For some fixtures, a simple wash with soap and warm water will be enough. And for others, you’ll need to gear up, do some chemistry, and use some (or a whole lot of) elbow grease.
But don’t worry; I’ve tested out each of these methods to ensure they are as quick and stress-free as bathroom fixture cleaning could possibly be—so let’s get started!
Things You’ll Need
Before you begin your quest to clean your bathroom fixtures, you’ll need to secure a couple of items.
- Rubber gloves (Keep them on at all times)
- Dish soap
- Microfiber cloth
- Screwdriver
- Plastic bag
- Rubber band, clip, rope, or duct tape
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- All-purpose surface cleaner
- Aluminium foil
- Lime & calcium remover
- Disinfecting wipes
- Drain snake (at least 12 inches)
- Tube brush (at least 12 inches)
Keep in mind: You won’t need every single one of these items. The specific fixture you want to clean, as well as the approach you intend to use, is what will determine what items you’ll require.
How to Clean a Bathroom Faucet
No matter how often you use your faucet, it’s all but impossible to keep dirt, grime, and lime away from it. Here are three methods I use to keep my faucet spout shiny and clean.
Wipe With a Damp Cloth
The first method is to simply wipe the faucet with a damp cloth. To do this, get dish soap, a soft cloth, and a bowl. Pour 2 – 3 cups of warm water into the bowl and add 3 teaspoons of dish soap.
Dip the cloth into the mixture and gently move it across the faucet’s surface in a circular motion. As you do this, give equal attention to the faucet’s base, handle, and neck.
To finish the process, I usually rinse the tap with cold water and wipe the whole faucet with a clean, dry cloth. A microfiber cloth is my go-to, but it’s fine if you don’t have one.
Use a Disinfecting Wipe
This one’s similar to the method before it. Like that one, this approach requires you just to wipe the faucet’s surface; the difference is that you’ll need more specific cleaning items.
For this method, you’ll need a lime or calcium remover and a disinfecting wipe. Just apply the remover to the body of the faucet, leave it for about 10 minutes, and clean it off with a disinfecting wipe.
Clean With Vinegar and Water
When you try the other methods and the dirt, lime, or calcium buildup still won’t budge, this method is your go-to.
Here’s the process:
- Wear your rubber gloves.
- Mix one cup of vinegar with one cup of water inside a bowl. This creates a safe, eco-friendly, and, most of all, powerful DIY cleaning solution.
- Submerge a cleaning cloth in the mixture.
- Use the cloth to thoroughly clean the body of the faucet.
- Rinse with cold water.
- Wipe off the water with a dry microfiber cloth.
| Quick Tip: There may be areas where you won’t be able to reach with the cloth, like under the base of the faucet or the areas behind the faucet. For such parts, you can look for an old toothbrush, apply baking soda to the bristles, and scrub those lime buildups. |
How to Clean Your Shower Head
A dirty shower head reduces the water pressure, ruins the shower experience, and is just plain unhygienic.
To clean your shower head, you’ll need to prepare the following items:
- A plastic bag
- White vinegar (preferably one with 5% acidity)
- Cloth
- Brush
- Rubber band, clip, tape, or hair tie.
- Patience
Begin by pouring some white vinegar into a plastic bag. Afterward, cover your shower head with a plastic bag and secure it with a rubber band or similar fastener.
Leave it that way for 1 – 6 hours, depending on how severe the condition of your shower head is. Remove the plastic bag and use a brush to scrub the surface of the shower head to remove any residue.
To conclude, run your water and let it wash out any vinegar residue.
I use this method for shower heads that are fixed in place and cannot be detached. If you can detach your shower head, though, here’s how the cleaning goes:
- Pour vinegar into a large bowl.
- Detach your shower head, put it inside the bowl, and wait 1 – 6 hours.
- Clean the point of detachment with a brush to get rid of any remaining dirt.
- Once the wait is over, use your brush to scrub off any residue.
- Reattach the shower head.
- Run the water.
While these methods are great for removing surface buildup, you may need a deeper clean if your shower head is clogged with dirt or mineral deposits. Check out “How to Unclog a Shower Head” to learn how. If you prefer to take baths, you may need a deeper clean for your tub. Read “How to Clean Your Bathtub” for more tips and tricks.
Cleaning a Shower Drain
Shower drains are so good at keeping secrets. Until you open them up, you wouldn’t even know how much muck and debris they’re concealing. The worst part is that you need to clean them, regardless.
To begin this often-unpleasant task, you’ll need:
- Drain snake (at least 12 inches long)
- Tube brush (at least 12 inches long)
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Screwdriver
To begin, use the screwdriver to unscrew the bolts and remove the drain covering. That’s the easy part.
Next up, you’ll have to unclog the drain. Use the drain snake to remove all debris inside the drain. Afterward, use the tube brush to clean and scrub the insides of the drain, and then pour boiling water into it. Repeat this process until you’ve cleaned off all the visible scum and grime.
Next, pour baking soda into the drain, wait three minutes, and follow up with vinegar.
| Did You Know? Many DIY “experts” say that mixing vinegar with baking soda creates a foolproof cleaning solution. Unfortunately, the sizzling and bubbling that happens when you mix the two is just a visual effect. It looks cool, but it doesn’t clean any better than vinegar alone. |
After the vinegar, pour boiling water in once more. Then, conclude the shower drain cleaning process by screwing the drain cover back in.
How to Clean a Faucet Aerator
The faucet aerator, like the faucet itself, can become dirty and clogged over time. This can contaminate the water and also reduce its pressure. It’s easy to clean, though.
Here’s how to clean your faucet aerator:
- Pour some white vinegar into a small bowl
- Twist off the aerator from the faucet
- Put the aerator inside the bowl of vinegar
- Leave it for 30 minutes
- Take the aerator out of the bowl and scrub out any residue with a brush
- Rinse it with water
- Twist it back into the faucet
How to Clean a Shower Caddy
Your shower caddy has several compartments or shelves that hold your soap, shampoo, toothbrush, razor, and other items. Daily use of this tool and the items it holds (especially soap!) causes dirt, grim, and muck to accumulate.
After trying several things, I found two methods that actually helped me clean my shower caddy.
First, you’ll need a non-adhesive (streak-free) surface cleaner and a cloth. Spray the cleaner on the shower caddy, leave it for a few minutes, and wipe it clean with the cloth.
Alternatively, you can use aluminum foil. Squeeze the aluminum foil into a ball, add some water to it, and use it to scrub the shower caddy. Then rinse it off and wipe with a dry cloth.
Read More: How to Clean a Bathroom Fan
Main Photo Credit: IvanSemenovych / Adobe Stock Free / License
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