When you are moving in to a new house or apartment, it is very important to make sure that your new living space is thoroughly cleaned, prior to moving in any of your things. It is especially important to clean the bathroom, as this is a prime location for mould and other disease-causing bacteria.
Start with the basics
The first thing you should do is clean all the surfaces in your new bathroom. This includes the counter tops, any shelving, all tile surfaces, as well as the bathtub, sink, and toilet. The best cleaning product to use is going to be one that has anti-bacterial cleansers. Also, for the porcelain surfaces, make sure you use a non-abrasive cleaning product, so you don’t scratch or mar the surfaces.
Bathtub and the sink
When you are ready to start cleaning your tub and sink basin, use a soft, non-scratch sponge. Spray or pour your cleaner on the porcelain, and let it sit for a minute or two, then simply wipe away the dirt and grime. Rinse the sponge out under warm running water, and continue in this manner until the entire area has been cleaned. Use a soft bristle toilet brush for cleaning your toilet, and again, leave the cleaner on the inner surface of the bowl for a few minutes before scrubbing it off. Make sure you work the bristles of your brush into all the hard to reach areas that you might otherwise miss – germs and bacteria love dark, wet corners!
Buy a new toilet seat
It is probably a good idea to replace the toilet seat when you move in to a new apartment. Toilet seats are a breeding ground for bacteria. A new toilet seat attachment, and will make it much easier to maintain a clean bathroom. You can also explore the possibility of replacing any shelving and cabinets there might be in your bathroom. If there is a cabinet directly under the sink, it would be a really good idea to go ahead and replace it, or at least repaint the surfaces, so you can block out future bacteria infestations.
Clean the tiles
When it is time to clean the tiles, make sure to use a cleaner that will get deep between the tiles, into the grout work. Mould, fungus, and other bacteria can get a firm hold on grout, especially in the bathtub area, because of how much time they are in humid conditions or actually underwater. If it looks like the previous occupant didn’t clean the grout often enough, or left it lying for too long, then you should probably replace the grout. This can be done by yourself fairly easy, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
Clogged pipes and rusty water
Another thing that people often forget to check when they move into a new home or apartment is the plumbing. If the plumbing has been neglected by the previous occupants, you might have clogged pipes or dirty, rusty water in your tub, toilet or sink. Pouring a small amount of liquid pipe cleaner into your drains will take care of any clogs, and rusty or dirty water can usually be fixed by letting the water run for an extended period, or by using a water treatment of some kind.
Don’t forget the bath mat and shower curtain!
Finally, it is also a good idea to replace the bath mat and shower curtain. This way, you can be sure that there is no dirt or bacteria from the previous occupant. Shower curtains collect mould easily, when not properly washed, and bath mats are usually infested with germs. Following these easy steps will have your new bathroom sparkling in no time!
John is an expert of bathroom renovations and he runs a Sydney based company, Complete Bathroom Renovations, which has been operating in the market for the last 40 years.