5 bathroom accessories harbouring the most bacteria – use white vinegar hack on bath mats – Express
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.
Bath mats
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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Toilet brushes
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.”
Bath toys
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.”