15 minutes to Clean: Bathroom

The key to a spotless and sanitary bathroom is maintenance.  Your first go at a clean bathroom will probably take a little longer but, to maintain 15 minutes is all you need.  For a bathroom deep cleaning and seasonal chores, stay tuned to the blog.  

If you have children, the quick cleans are a great chore to assign them.  They are easy and most importantly, fast.

1. Spray the tub, shower and toilet with their respective cleaners. I like Method and Seventh Generation brand products best.  While the cleaners are working away...
2. Pick up and put away.  Don't reorganize your drawers and medicine cabinets, don't sort the laundry.  Pick up things that do not belong and take them out.  The things that do belong, put them away.  I also like to change out all of the dirty towels.
3. Take out the trash, give it a spray with air freshener if needed.
4.  Give a quick scrub to obvious dirt in the tub and shower and rinse it with hot water.
5. Swirl the toilet brush around the toilet an flush.
6. With a disinfectant wipe (or cloth dampened with all purpose cleaner) wipe down in this order, counter and sink, tub, then toilet (don't forget the base).
7. Windex and wipe the mirror(s) and faucet(s).
8. I like to alternate larger tasks or tasks that don't require weekly maintenance here.  My bathroom schedule alternates one or two of the following: dusting the shelves, a good scrub of the tub and shower, wiping down the baseboards, washing out the trash can, cleaning out a drawer (or two), cleaning my make-up brushes and hand washing the floor.  You can add whatever steps fit your needs here.
9. Straighten the items on your counter.
10. Last but not least,run a hand vac across the floor. We have the Dirt Devil Kurv and I am convinced that it is the best money I have ever spent.  This hand vac is a godsend for the quick clean. 

Voila! 3 or 4 iPod tunes later and the bathroom is done.

Extras  

• If you're a real keener you could keep a cloth in your bathroom cabinet and wipe down the counter and sink on a daily basis.  I also like to run the toilet brush through the toilet once a day.
• For even more convenience and  efficiency, keep all your bathroom cleaning items in one bucket that you can bring in with you or under the sink.  This saves precious minutes when your goal is a quick clean.