3 Must-Know Bathroom Hacks That Will Make It Look Absolutely Brand New

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If you’re equally as tired of harsh chemical cleaning products as you are of your dirty bathroom, then these three easy hacks could revolutionize your bathroom cleaning routine.

1. Use vinegar for a spotless sink

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Many chemical-based cleaning products do a great job at eradicating grimy bathroom residue. However, they could be bad for your health. A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine even claims that regularly using house cleaning products could be as bad as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.

So, what’s the alternative? You needn’t look further than your kitchen cupboards.

Illustration - Pixabay | evita-ochel

Distilled white vinegar does a fantastic job at banishing the hard water marks and soap stains in your bathroom sink because of its acidic content. You can make a handy DIY spray by repurposing an old spray bottle and making a mixture of white vinegar and lemon juice; the lemon juice will neutralize the intensely acidic smell of the vinegar.

For optimal cleaning, spray the mixture into the sink bowl and scrub with a bristled brush. Rinse the vinegar mixture away and enjoy a sink that looks almost as good as new.

For those of you who prefer not to use vinegar, there are alternatives. Baking soda is capable of melting trapped debris in the sink drain; simply pour a small amount into the drain, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then rinse it away with hot water.

Borax mineral compound is excellent at wiping away accumulated rust and stains on metal faucets and handles; simply make a paste by mixing the powder with a little water and scrub until clean. And for a slightly more accessible option, toothpaste can be used as a spot-cleaner for stubborn sink stains.

2. Use dish soap for a sparkling bathtub

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There’s no need to buy expensive, chemical-laden tub-cleaning products anymore because mild dish soap and a clean broom will do the trick. Squirt some dish soap onto the bottom and sides of your bathtub, then use the broom to scrub the soap around.

Vigorous scrubbing will shift the layers of grease, soap scum, and mildew that have built up in your bathtub. Dish soap works well here because it’s tough enough for the task at hand but also safe for your skin (also, you won’t be breathing in any noxious fumes).

Use the tub’s own faucet or a detachable showerhead to rinse the dish soap away. The longer the broom handle, the easier this technique will be, so consider recommending this dish-soap-and-broom approach to your elderly or mobility-impaired relatives.

3. Get streak-free mirrors with rubbing alcohol

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Your grandparents were right to clean their mirrors using crumpled up newspaper, says HuffPost; however, this method is prone to leaving the occasional inky streak or tiny paper fibers on the glass.

Instead, for an irresistible shine, use rubbing alcohol, watered-down vinegar, and a microfiber cloth. The alcohol is an excellent precleaner that will eradicate stubborn greasy fingerprints and toothpaste splashes before you move on to the fun task of shining to perfection.

Use a little rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad to treat the most obvious stains. Next, lightly spray the mirror with your watered-down vinegar and wipe with a microfiber cloth; these cloths, readily available in homeware stores, are specifically designed not to leave lint behind on the glass.

Illustration - Shutterstock | Dusan Petkovic

One Good Thing suggests a crafty last-minute check by looking at the mirror from a 45-degree angle. Any hidden streaks will make themselves visible from this angle, and you'll stand the best chance of catching every last one.

Three tricks, and three ways to get your bathroom sparkling and shining to perfection; no harsh chemicals included.