Indianapolis Bathtub Refinishers Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis house cleaner offers bathroom cleaning tips

Laura Clark says she started cleaning houses 15 years ago, learning the trade from her mother. “She probably didn’t teach me customer service,” Clark jokes.

“You do what makes the customer happy and that’s where you learn customer service.” That attitude led to Sparkle by Laura earning the 2008 Super Service Award during only one year on Angie’s List.

What's involved with cleaning a bathroom?

I feel like that's my specialty since my pet peeve is a dirty bathroom at home. I start by using a duster to get all the dust and cobwebs on the ceiling corners and light fixtures.

You want to get rid of all the hair and dust first by bringing everything down to the floor. Then you want to sweep before you start any of the water-based work. If you don't do that, you'll get sticky gunk and dust bunnies built up over time.

For the water work, spray down the sinks, the shower and toilet with their cleaners, and get them soaking. Then you clean your sink and dry it with a towel, which prevents water spots. Then I clean the toilet bowl and use Windex to clean the mirrors and countertops.

Clark says a quick cleaning using disposal bleach wipes can help preserve a bathroom's sparkle in between deep cleanings.
Photos courtesy of Laura Clark

For the toilet bowl, a lot of people think those thicker gel cleaners do a better job because they cling to the sides. But I don't think thicker is better; I use a thinner liquid cleaner that runs down the bowl all the way the water.

Then I wipe down the outside and behind the toilet, and the baseboards behind it. I use Windex and a terry cloth towel and wipe it down from top to bottom, and then wipe all around the floor and baseboards.

Then I do the shower and shower doors. The biggest thing for a lot of my clients is getting their shower doors clear of soap scum. If you have smooth glass doors, use a solution of vinegar and water.

To keep shower walls and glass doors cleaner, use a squeegee on them every time you use the shower, it helps keep soap scum down. For the actual tub, I use Lysol or Comet liquid sprays. Tilex soap scum remover cuts through soap scum really well, too.

Now, all you have left to do is the floors. I don't mop. It gets dust or other dirt left over against the baseboards. I get down on my hands and knees and use Windex and wipe with a towel on hard floors. That way you can get your baseboards too while you're down there.

In between deep cleanings, you can run your sweeper, clean the mirrors and use bleach wipes like Clorox or Lysol make and wipe off the sinks, countertops and tub edges. You'd be surprised how well a quick wipe down can keep the bathroom up to your standards of clean.