Why Fall Is The Best Time Of Year To Deep Clean Your Bathroom

Deep cleaning is often associated with spring; however, the truth is that fall is just as crucial for house deep cleaning, or even more so when it comes to bathrooms. After the long, humid summer months filled with extra showers, your bathroom might have accumulated hidden grime, soap residue, and even mildew. The extra moisture also allows condensation to build on mirrors, tiles, and inside cupboards, creating ideal conditions for mold growth and pests that prefer humid environments. When fall arrives, these issues can become even more serious, making it a critical time of year to deep clean your bathroom.

The problem with mold and mildew is that once they settle into grout lines, bathroom ceilings, or tile edges, they release spores that circulate through your ventilation system and reappear on other surfaces. The air quality is lower during the fall due to allergens like ragweed, airborne pollutants, and heating systems circulating the same air. Those airborne mold spores worsen the indoor air quality further. What's more is that as temperatures drop and more windows stay closed, the warmth creates the perfect shelter for small critters and pests. This is all the more reason why a thorough bathroom clean at this stage can help protect your health.

The most essential parts of fall bathroom cleaning are clearing air vents, washing shower curtains, and disinfecting hidden areas like behind the toilet or under the sink to remove dust and prevent microbial buildup. Luckily, fall offers the perfect weather for cleaning those areas because cooler, drier air means you can air out the bathroom for a short time without humidity interfering, and surfaces will dry much faster. It is also a good time to declutter bathroom cabinets to prevent trapped moisture and expired products from releasing odors or chemicals into your indoor air or becoming food for insects.

That's why you might also want to give grout lines and tiles extra attention. Begin your fall cleaning at the top by dusting light fixtures, vents, and shelving before tackling counters and floors. This ensures that loose dust doesn't fall on freshly cleaned areas. Focus next on high-touch and moisture-prone areas: faucets, door handles, and around the base of the toilet. These can harbor more bacteria than other spots. 

One of the worst bathroom cleaning mistakes you can make is ignoring obvious areas that might seem clean, like tiles or grout in less-visible areas. Be sure to give grout lines and tiles some extra attention. Clean sinks and bathtubs with non-abrasive cleaners that won't damage the finish, then rinse and dry thoroughly to prevent new water stains. Finally, place packets containing moisture-absorbent materials like silica gel or activated charcoal inside cabinets and drawers. These help maintain dryness throughout the season.

It's not news that the toughest parts to tackle during your fall bathroom cleaning process are the toilet, tiles, tub, and grout lines. A tip to make cleaning your bathroom easier is to start cleaning with your toilet lid closed and spray the top, tank, handle, and base with a general bathroom cleaner. Then, lift the lid and clean the seat, underside, and outside of the bowl to remove any hard water residue. Wipe everything down with paper towels, replacing them as they get saturated. To properly disinfect your toilet, pour toilet bowl cleaner under the rim and scrub thoroughly with a toilet brush. For odors or buildup at the base, use an enzyme cleaner and an old toothbrush to reach tight spots. Wipe everything down with paper towels, replacing them as they get saturated.

For tiles, the tub, grout lines, and all surfaces that can trap mildew and dirt, you can make a simple DIY cleaner using natural ingredients that will leave your bathroom dazzling clean. One cleaner that works well for tackling stains and removing grime is a paste made from ¼ cup of dish soap, ¼ cup of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, and about 10 drops of tea tree oil, or any essential oil of your preference (you can skip the essential oils if you have allergies). Rub this mixture on problem areas with a sponge or toothbrush, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub it off and rinse with water.