Keeping the shower clean is better than waiting until you can no longer ignore the clutter, but that doesn’t make it any easier to stick to a regular cleaning schedule. Whether you like to clean on the go or just want to scrub the walls more easily, leave a dish rod – you know, the way you fill the handle with soap – in the shower so you have no choice but to use it it.
Any dish rod will do, but the stiff plastic bristle type of brush has some advantages over the sponge type. Sponges never completely dry out in a damp bathroom environment, which can produce powdery mildew and mold. Also, bristles can scrub better. For the cleaning solution itself, plain old detergent is the way to go. For a little extra cleaner, TikTok user (and professional house cleaner) Vanesa Amaro recommends mixing in some plain white vinegar. Plus, the foam is easier to rinse off, so you no longer have to worry about streaks on your freshly cleaned glass shower door.
If you can’t handle the smell of vinegar at all, try adding a small amount of bleach instead – a teaspoon or two in a handle full of soap will do. Just don’t use both: Bleach and vinegar react to form chlorine gaswhich is extremely irritating to the mucous membranes.
This hack makes cleaning the bathroom much easier. If you notice any discoloration of the grout or a ring stain on the tub from a can of shaving cream, you can clean it off right away. Regular light cleaning also prevents serious mold growth and saves you a lot of trouble in the future. Best of all, if you’re already using one of these brushes in the kitchen, you don’t have to spend a penny: when it’s time for a new brush, just drop the old one in the shower. Even if you need to buy one just for the shower, they’re worth the $ 5 or $ 10 you’ll spend and should take years.
This article was originally published July 2012 and was updated with updated links on April 28, 2021 to comply with Lifehacker style guidelines.
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