Showers should be thoroughly cleaned weekly. There is a build up of dirt, mould, dead skin cells and soap scum. Like Weet Bix on a bowl – the longer you leave it the harder it is to clean!

I monthly get the scrubbing brush out and give the floor a huge scrub to lift any stains from hair dyes, rust, dirt etc. Walls are cleaned weekly as well to remove soap scum and hair product residue. Make sure the grout is cleaned well to prevent mould growth and soap scum build up.

If you have a shower curtain make sure you give it a flick or two to remove the excess water that is on it. Don’t leave the curtain open, because that slows down drying time and encourages mould and mildew growth.

The build up of mold can be prevented with thorough regular cleaning and keeping the bathroom aired out. The use of exhaust fans and open windows helps clear away moisture in the air as well as prevent bacteria growth and reproduction. If you are really struggling with mold then spray 100% vinegar on your shower walls daily. This keeps the mould production at bay and saves your respiratory system from melting from the mould spray.

GREEN CLEAN

It is possible to give your shower a good clean with vinegar and bicarb. Simply apply a teaspoon of bicarbonate soda to a damp cloth and begin to rub in a circular motion. This will act as an abrasive and take off that stubborn soap scum. Then spray with vinegar. Rinse when you are next in the shower.

I like to scrub over the drain hole with an old tooth brush making sure bristles lift some of that mold that grows down the drain. Lemon juice is an excellent, natural alternative to bleach, that is easier on the lungs and has no nasty side effects as commercial cleaners do. Lemon will remove rust stains from your shower as well as leave it smelling fresh and clean.

Another favorite method of green shower cleaning is with my steam cleaner hich shoots out steam at a high pressure. It blasts out mold from under seals in the shower as well as in little cracks and gaps that are part of the shower. It gets into little nooks and crannies, blasting out mould, mildew and dirt. It’s wonderful, and pretty much effortless. I find it very satisfying seeing brown, grey and black stuff being forced from areas that I can’t get to!

To clean the shower curtain: take the curtain down once every 4 weeks and give it a good thorough clean. Vinegar usually kills and gets rid of most mold. Spray generously and leave for a while. Wipe.

Shower squeeges are excellent and helping keep the shower clean and aids in drying it out somewhat. I bought mine in BigW for next to nothing. You just wipe the doors and walls down with the squeege and all the excess water falls to the ground. It also helps lessen the scum build up as well.

If you aren’t into vinegar and bicarb, then there are other greener alternatives. Check you local supermarket for shower cleaning sprays that are endorsed by Planet Ark such as Orange Power.

Toilets need to be cleaned at least weekly – more often if you have little boys who haven’t quite got the handle on directing their wee into the bowl. When you are cleaning the toilet, spray the light switch and the door handle with vinegar (or disinfectant) and give that a wipe over. Dirty hands have touched them after being to the toilet, so it’s good to bust the germs everywhere.

Twice a year, unscrew the toilet seat from the porcelain and clean the areas that are not easily accessible. You may want to do this more often if you have little boys. Urine and dirt get caught underneath and can answer for the smell you may be battling with. Beware, the first time you do this could make you feel sick. I’ve known the cast iron stomach to turn at the sight of under the toilet seat!

GREEN CLEAN

There are greener choices of toilet cleaner on the market and you don’t have to pay big bucks for them. I personally use Earth Choice toilet cleaner that is made from plant derived ingredients. It cleans really well and smells fantastic. Or if you are happy to use vinegar and bicarb, then sprinkle the bicarb over the toilet bowl and spray with vinegar. Let it sit for a bit, then scrub with your toilet brush. Spray the toilet brush with vinegar when finished with it.

Spray the toilet seats, porelain (the whole entire thing – even the outside) and the floor with vinegar and leave for a few minutes. Wipe thoroughly.

Basins can get so grotty, and it’s no wonder. It’s the place the whole family wash their hands after eating, playing, toileting, and dirty work. How often you clean depends on the use they receive. If you have a family of 9, you may find a daily wipe over necessary. When you see the sludge starting to form around the taps and it’s starting to look grotty is a good sign that it’s time for a clean.

GREEN CLEAN

Get some Vinegar Cleaning Spray and spray all over the taps, sink, tiles and surrounds then wipe it all up.

It depends on how often you use it. My Mum never thoroughly cleans her bath, because no one uses it. It gets a dust and that’s it. I have 3 kids and they bath most days, so my bath gets a good scrub every 2 weeks, but a wipe over weekly.

GREEN CLEAN

For a wipe over job, spray with Vinegar Cleaning Spray and then rinse. For a more thorough clean, scrub with bicarb so the soap scum and dirt comes off, then spray with vinegar. Rinse and it’s sparkling.

Another method to remove those stubborn bath rings is to sprinkle rock salt or coarsely ground salt onto a half lemon piece and rub the bath with it.

These need to be changed frequently. I usually change mine twice a week. If you live in the tropics you may need to change more often because damp towels tend to smell sooner. Smelly towels = smelly body. If it doesn’t smell you don’t need to change it, but I wouldn’t leave it any longer than a week.

I change these daily for my kids. They smell musty and I think that must be so unpleasant for them to have their face washed with a smelly flannel.

Hand towels need to be changed frequently, depending on how many people are using it. A good way to check if your hand towel needs changing is to smell your hands after wiping them. If they smell funky, time for a change!

Preferably store the toilet paper away from the toilet. I have seen those little storage units which is like a stick on a plate, and the roll goes onto the stick. BAD invention. Especially if the male visitors to the toilet tend to miss and when the toilet is flushed without the lid down, you get a splashback. It’s best to have them covered and protected from toilet splashes and dirty hands.

I guess you now get what I am talking about. It’s not pleasant thinking about cleaning yourself with dirty toilet paper.

GREEN CLEAN

Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the inside of the cardboard toilet paper roll. Every time you use the toilet paper, the room will fill with your favourite fragrance. You can get rid of the aerosol air freshener, as the oil will keep your toilet smelling pleasant. Also have your toilet window open to allow “recent” unpleasant odours to dissipate.