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Jun 03, 2023

5 bathroom accessories harbouring the most bacteria

Due to being warm and damp, bathrooms are hotspots for harbouring a host of unwanted germs and smells. This means in addition to cleaning walls, floors and surfaces, it is also important to clean

Due to being warm and damp, bathrooms are hotspots for harbouring a host of unwanted germs and smells. This means in addition to cleaning walls, floors and surfaces, it is also important to clean bathroom accessories. CEO of Laundryheap, Deyan Dimitrov, has shared how to clean five bathroom accessories which could be full of bacteria.

Deyan explained: “Bath mats are designed to absorb a lot of water, but it’s important to wash them regularly to maintain appropriate hygiene standards.

“Ideally, your bath mat should be washed weekly - most mats can be washed by professional cleaning services, or in your washing machine.

“Make sure to double check their label’s washing requirements before doing so.

“For bath mats with rubber backings, try to avoid the washing machine. To prevent bacteria build-up without damaging the rubber, it’s best to spray them with white vinegar weekly, and to wash them in cold water every three to four weeks.”

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Deyan also recommended replacing bath mats every two years if possible to keep them fresh and clean.

White vinegar is a great household cleaning product, containing acetic acid, a compound which can dissolve dirt, debris and grime.

It can be purchased in a bottle already diluted or concentrated which must be diluted before using.

White vinegar is often used for a number of cleaning jobs and if used in the washing machine, can make laundry feel softer.

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Shower curtains can hold a lot of moisture, which can turn into mould if not careful. To avoid this, the expert recommended leaving the shower curtain open after using it to reduce mould and mildew.

Deyan added: “Your shower curtain liner should be cleaned every month. The best way to do this, without damaging its materials, is to pop it in the washing machine on a gentle wash.

“I would recommend adding a bath towel into the wash with it, as it will help to scrub the shower liner. Alternatively, if your shower curtain liner isn’t machine washable, add a few drops of bleach to a dampened cloth or sponge and scrub before rinsing thoroughly.”

Hanging the liner to dry naturally is the best option and Deyan said it “should look brand new”.

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The cleaning expert explained: “They might be great for exfoliating skin, but loofahs can easily get clogged with dead skin cells and bacteria, so they should be cleaned after every use, to avoid transferring old bacteria to your skin every time you use it.

“Synthetic loofahs can be cleaned by soaking them in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water for five to 10 minutes.

“For loofahs made from natural fibres, quickly soak them in a solution of four tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda to every litre of water.”

Flannels should also be washed after every use to avoid spreading bacteria and skin cells that could irritate the skin. They can be placed in the wash with other items of similar colour.

Toilet brushes can often be one of the dirtiest areas of the home, and are often forgotten about when it comes to cleaning.

Deyan said: “Every week, I would advise filling the toilet brush container with hot, soapy water and a few drops of bleach. Swirl the brush around in the water and let it soak for 10 minutes, before emptying the water down the toilet.

“Then, flush clean water over the brush, and spray both the container and brush with a disinfectant spray.

“If you have time, let the brush air dry before placing it back in the container, by balancing it across the toilet seat and letting it drip into the toilet bowl for ten minutes.

“If the brush bristles ever become discoloured or bent out of shape, it’s time to replace it.”

According to the cleaning expert, bath toys are hotspots for mould, mildew and germs and need to be cleaned regularly.

Once a week is sufficient, and they need to be cleaned properly with white vinegar and warm water.

Deyan explained: “Submerge the bath toys and let them soak for an hour, before rinsing them with tap water and allowing them to air dry.

“Vinegar dissolves soap scum and gets rid of stains, making it perfect for cleaning bath toys.

“However, if there’s scummy or bad-smelling water trapped inside a toy, it’s best to bin it, as their inner surfaces won’t be sterile and suitable for play.”