Which room do you think you use the most in your home? It’s the bathroom, and chances are, you need to defunk your overused toothbrush and other personal hygiene items.
Most people — who won’t admit this — let their hygiene products sit overused for far too long. You should switch out the hand towels you use only for decoration as much as the regular ones you use to wipe your mouth and hands. Your toothbrush contains over 10 million bacteria, and the bathroom floor and that too-squishy bath mat contain a plethora of Staph, E. coli and other fun nasties you can’t fix with a “Namaste” and lengthy dip in the tub by candlelight — unless you plan on burning it all afterward.
Most people also pretend these facts aren’t true and prefer the nice, tooth-shaped indent in the toothbrush — but that’s not the way it’s supposed to look or function. You might end up better off scrubbing your teeth with the toilet brush. Here’s how to properly care for your bathroom and personal hygiene items.
Bath Towels
Do you hang your towels up individually on a bar or hook? Use them three or four times, and then wash. Do you toss your bath towel in a pile after showers? Wash the towels sooner than that.
Wash hand towels every two days if used multiple times in a day, depending on the griminess.
If you frequently rotate your towels, they last longer. Replace towels when they become damaged with tears, frays and holes or lose absorbency.
Bath Mat
Bath mats need hanging after use to dry more thoroughly. Family members usually take turns showering in short timeframes and leave the mat on the floor to funkify. You know you’re guilty.
Put your bath mat on your weekly washing list for proper defunkifcation. Lighter fabrics are easier to maintain, whereas padded mats take centuries to wash and dry.
Toothbrush
This one is easier to remember — each time you go to a routine dental cleaning, come back with a new toothbrush. Toss the old one out. Switch toothbrushes every six months.
If you’re a heavy-duty user and the bristles splay outward, get a new toothbrush when you go out. In addition, always, replace your toothbrush after you get over a cold.
You can extend the life of your toothbrush by properly caring for it in the first place. Give it a thoughtful rinse after brushing so that it’s debris-free. Air dry the toothbrush upright, and don’t enclose it in a container — you’ll promote mold growth. Don’t share your toothbrush.
Bathroom Cleaning Sponges
Bathroom cleaning sponges are essentially clean after you let them soak, right? Soak your sponges after every cleaning session for five minutes in three tablespoons of bleach diluted with a quart of water.
Replace your sponges when they start smelling or falling apart.
Loofah
Replace your loofah when it smells or you see a buildup of mold, body oils or product. That may mean replacing one every month. To maintain a clean loofah, rinse with clear water after every use to remove residue — unless you want mold growth. Bacterium grows best in moist environments, so rinse your loofah or poof well. These shower tools work great for exfoliation of the skin, but you don’t want to exfoliate with a grungy loofah with dead skin on it.
Let them soak in the same process as the bathroom sponges — put them in diluted bleach for five minutes and rinse thoroughly.
Bathroom Floor
Sweep and vacuum your bathroom floor every few days. Wash the floor at least once a week.
Make a no-rinse, natural floor cleaning solution by mixing a bucket of hot water, a quart of white vinegar and fifteen drops of an antibacterial and antimicrobial essential oil, like lavender. Pour a little in a spray bottle to use on off days. It works on multiple surfaces.
If you have small ones, teenagers or pets, scrub more frequently and harder. Rugrats of all ages and species make for a bacteria-filled funfest of a floor.
Hairbrush
Don’t let your hairbrush fill up with hair, dead skin and product so much that you can’t even brush your hair.
Your hair deserves better.
Pull out the hair clump from the brush. Use a pencil to pry the stubborn strand from the bristles by slipping the pencil between the rows and pulling upward. You’re not done yet though.
To clean the brush, hold the handle and swirl the brush in warm water. Shampoo the bristle tips with a few drops, and massage. Rinse until the product is out. Yes, you basically shampoo your brush the way you would your hair.
Cosmetics and Other Products
Use a permanent marker to write the purchase date on the product, such as on foundation. In general, many cosmetics last up to three years, similar to soap and deodorant. However, seek the advice of the salesperson or brand. Face creams tend to last a year. Keep products away from heat, moisture and light.
Make a frequent habit of checking expiration dates every month, such as on the last Sunday of the month when you wake up. Make your first sweep, and toss out years-old makeup, shampoo and bars of soap.
It’s past time to defunk your bathroom, which should be a sanctuary of beauty, relaxation and rejuvenation. A dirty bathroom isn’t the kind of funky town you want when you get dressed up to go out on a date. Use these tips to take care of your personal hygiene items and feel more fresh and clean. Now, go toss that gross, tree-splayed toothbrush!
