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We admit it — It's easy to neglect deep cleaning your bathroom. But we all know better. Chores like drain cleaning, removing rust stains, and addressing biofilm buildup are important.
Proper maintenance prevents clogs, improves water flow, and extends the lifespan of fixtures. (Moreover, it can save you money on potential repairs down the line.)
To get your plumbing system back on track, we tapped Joseph Wade, VP of Operations of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. He shared some important tips to help your indoor plumbing:
1. Clean Your Showerhead (And Do it Often)
A dirty showerhead reduces efficiency and exposes you to bacteria. If you're only focused on cleaning your shower doors, shower floor, or replacing the plastic shower curtain when it gets slimy, here's where you should redirect your attention:
- Remove your showerhead to soak it, if possible. It's easier to soak in a bowl of 1:1 white vinegar and water. After soaking for an hour, use an extra toothbrush to clean out plugs and remove deposits from the small holes. (We use our electric toothbrush with an old head for this step, and it's awesome.)
- If you can't remove it, use a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste, then coat the shower head. After 15 minutes, use a cloth soaked with white vinegar to wipe it clean, and a toothbrush dipped in vinegar to treat the jets.
- Clean the filter. First, check the manual for your showerhead to see how to properly remove the fixture's filter. This will be connected to the pipe. Cleaning the filter can improve the flow of clean water and the efficiency of your fixture so it lasts longer.
2. Deep Clean Your Toilet
- Let it soak. White vinegar is good for light cleaning. If you have hard water and tough stains, opt for an acidic toilet cleaner instead. Let it soak overnight.
- Flush, then scrub. If you used an acidic cleaner, don't touch the water with your bare skin. Flush it first, then use a toilet brush to scrub around the bowl.
- Clean the toilet handle. The flushing handle is often ignored, which is a major oversight, considering it's the one thing being constantly being touched after use. Be sure to give it a good cleaning with an all-purpose disinfectant spray bottle. Remember: there's a difference between disinfecting and cleaning, and using a disinfectant wipe between deep cleanings goes a long way.
- Clean around the toilet seat. Better yet, remove the toilet seat for a deeper clean. It's easier to pay extra attention to the entire area once the seat and lid are removed.
- Nix the carpeting. Lastly, throw out old carpets that wrap around the toilet. Grandma likes them, but they could harbor germs. Clean the bathroom floors around the toilet with an all-purpose cleaner, while you're at it.
3. Treat Clogged Drains
Slow drains don't fix themselves. Hair, soap scum, toothpaste, and other residues all build up over time. And, not to mention, sometimes small objects can fall into the drain and create a blockage.
The longer you wait, the worse they get. If you're having any of these symptoms, it's time to take action:
- Water pools in the sink or shower
- Drains slowly or doesn't drain at all
- Gurgling sounds when water goes down
- Bad smells coming from the drain
Four Ways to Fix a Blocked Shower or Sink Drain
- Use a plunger. You can use your toilet plunger if you have traditional bathtub or shower drain system. For the sink, this mini drain plunger is a bit easier to wield.
- Use a drain snake. Use it to pull out hair and debris. Gross, but effective!
- Dissolve the buildup. Baking soda and vinegar is a simple option for light buildup (let it sit 30 minutes, then flush with hot water); an enzyme-based cleaner comes in handy if vinegar alone isn't strong enough.
- Remove and clean the P-trap under the sink. We consider this a last resort.
If these methods don't work, you could have a deeper blockage. Use a longer auger if you want, or call a plumber to clear stubborn clogs without damaging your pipes.
4. Remove Stubborn Rust Stains
"By this point, you may have realized that your water has a high iron content," notes Wade. "This effect can leave brown stains around your sink basin, tubs, and toilets. It can be subtle to detect, as this can happen even if the water tastes normal and appears to be clear."
Go ahead, check now. If your toilet bowl has a brownish ring around the water line, it may be rusty. This can take some serious effort to clean, but the ingredients are simple: A chemical bathroom cleaner that contains hydrochloric acid is our go-to solution (wear rubber gloves, cover all your skin, and wear eye protection to ward against splashes as your pour it into the bowl).
As a more eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaner, Wade recommends lemon juice mixed with salt. For lemon and salt to be most effective as a natural cleaner, you'll have to turn off the water to the toilet tank and drain the bowl so the lemon juice isn't immediately diluted by water.
5. Fight Biofilm
Biofilm is different than soap scum. You may have noticed some sticky goo substance on your plumbing fixtures, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your sinks and showers. Or maybe you’ve seen ooze that comes up when you clear a hairball from your shower drain. This ooze is biofilm.
Not to worry, the fix is a simple addition to your spring cleaning checklist:
- Clean surfaces by hand. Use a damp cloth and your favorite cleaning solution to wipe it away. When cleaning fixtures, always use soft microfiber cloths and sponges — nothing abrasive.
- Use a drain cleaner for biofilm that forms out of sight. To fight buildup in plumbing lines, you can get in the habit of pouring a small dose of drain cleaner into your sink and shower drain every month to cleanse the pipes.
FAQ
Can I use bleach to clean bathroom drains?
No. Bleach doesn't break down clogs and can damage pipes over time. It also creates toxic fumes when mixed with other cleaners—Repeat: Never mix bleach with other cleaners. Stick to enzyme cleaners, baking soda and vinegar, or a drain snake.
What's the difference between hard water stains and rust stains?
Hard water stains are white or chalky deposits from mineral buildup. Rust stains are brown or orange and come from iron in your water. Hard water stains need vinegar or acidic cleaners. Rust stains need stronger products with hydrochloric acid or natural alternatives like lemon juice and salt.
Why does my bathroom smell bad even after cleaning?
The smell likely comes from biofilm or dried-out drain traps. Biofilm grows inside pipes and needs enzyme cleaners to remove. P-traps can dry out if a sink or shower isn't used regularly. Run water for a minute to refill the trap and block sewer gases.
