Asked on Jul 18, 2013

Bathroom Deep-Cleaning Time - Professional Cleaners vs. Homeowners?

Matthew Gingerella
by Matthew Gingerella
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I'm a typical homeowner and I know that it takes me between 1-2 hours to deep clean a bathroom. I'm pretty meticulous about cleaning so by Deep-Cleaning I mean full removal of soap scum, descaling of showers, tubs, toilets and sinks; and killing of any mold or mildew. Basically - ready for guests. To my fellow homeowners out there - am I just slow or is 1-2 hours per bathroom about normal? To the Professional Housekeepers and cleaning companies - can you clean any faster?...and if so - HOW???? I look forward to hearing as much feedback as possible so please SHARE.

bathroom deep cleaning time professional cleaners vs homeowners, BEFORE Tub was calcified and cakes with soap scum Note the lead stain at the drain too
BEFORE: Tub was calcified and cakes with soap scum. Note the lead stain at the drain too.
bathroom deep cleaning time professional cleaners vs homeowners, BEFORE This is Severe lime scale build up on the tub fixtures and it didn t want to come off
BEFORE: This is Severe lime scale build-up on the tub fixtures and it didn't want to come off.
bathroom deep cleaning time professional cleaners vs homeowners, BEFORE Toilet Tank identified as the source of bacteria mold mildew and abundant lime scale Cleaning this tank took 1 2 hour in itself
BEFORE: Toilet Tank identified as the source of bacteria, mold, mildew and abundant lime scale. Cleaning this tank took 1/2 hour in itself.
bathroom deep cleaning time professional cleaners vs homeowners, BEFORE Bowl had a moderate calcium ring and signs of bacteria growth
BEFORE: Bowl had a moderate calcium ring and signs of bacteria growth.
bathroom deep cleaning time professional cleaners vs homeowners, BEFORE Crusty mineral deposits caked in and around the water channel holes under the rim
BEFORE: Crusty mineral deposits caked in and around the water channel holes under the rim.
bathroom deep cleaning time professional cleaners vs homeowners, AFTER Tile Tub ready for guests after 1 5 hours of lots of elbow grease and harsh chemicals
AFTER: Tile & Tub ready for guests after 1.5 hours of lots of elbow grease and harsh chemicals.
bathroom deep cleaning time professional cleaners vs homeowners, AFTER Toilet ready for guests after a 1 2 hour of ring removal with pumice stone and Lime Remover
AFTER: Toilet ready for guests after a 1/2 hour of ring removal with pumice stone and Lime Remover.
bathroom deep cleaning time professional cleaners vs homeowners, AFTER All water channel holes were reamed out with sand paper and cleaned again with tile cleaner
AFTER: All water channel holes were reamed out with sand paper and cleaned again with tile cleaner.
  131 answers
  • Sharon H Sharon H on Jul 18, 2013
    It doesn't take me that long but I don't let soap scum or lime build up. I keep one of those sprays in the shower and a cleaner in my toilets at all times. I do a complete clean once a week or if company is coming prior I do it then. As far as the toilet goes as long as it is a toilet that gets flushed on a regular bases there is no need for the pumice stone. In fact at one time I had a black toilet and a maid who scratched the black toilet bowl and ruined it with the stone. When I go to clean the shower tiles I get in and spray starting at the top and aiming for the grout with a cleaner designed for soap scum and mineral build up. I continue to spray all the way down but need less as I get towards the bottom. The gel sprays stay on better. I wait about ten minutes but not long enough for the cleaner to dry. I do the toilet and sinks while waiting. I then go back to the shower, take a scrub brush (wearing gloves because of the chemicals and scrub in circles again starting at the top. I take the shower head and rinse the shower. A small bucket or large cup will rinse anything the shower head misses. Make sure to rinse any knobs thoroughly. If you have missed any soap scum or anything else it will show but I rarely miss because as I scrub with the brush I can see a foam. With the toilet I use the same product type but always add some bleach to the water. The bathroom is cleaned in less than a half hour and I never have a buildup. I no longer have them but when I used to have shower curtain liners, I purchased good ones with metal braids and washed them with my whites when they started looking dingy or had any mildew. Hope this helps.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 18, 2013
    Wow - Sharon, your are so much more organized than I and fast too. Your consistent once a week 1/2 hour cleaning schedule sounds very attractive to people like me that aren't as on top of it as you are. Do you have hard water in El Paso? We have terribly hard water in So. CA and water spots and fighting build-up is a constant struggle. Also, thanks for the warning on the pumice stone. I don't have a black colored toilet so I am not noticing any damage so far. What is your favorite spray for the shower?
  • Z Z on Jul 18, 2013
    Because of what my allergist calls hypersensitivity to chemicals, which in me causes facial pain instead of just the usual sneezing which then messes with a neck injury causing more pain so I don't use any harsh chemicals at all. We have well water that goes through a process in our basement, hubby could explain that better than I, and a water softener so if not taken care of on a regular basis we'd get build up quite fast. To keep that from happening I keep a squeegee and magic sponge in the shower to clean it every single time I take a shower. Doing this takes maybe two minutes at the most each time. Even if I took fifteen showers in a week, which I don't, that would be at the most, a half hour. Our toilets get cleaned every single time we flush since I use KaBoom Scrub Free. Depending on how much any one toilet gets used, it can last up to three months. If one of the toilets I don't use somehow goes past that time I squirt in regular bowl cleaner, let it set over night then flush. The best thing anyone can do to make their house work easier is to clean things before they look like they need it. You'll spend less time each day and your home will always look company ready.
  • Shari Shari on Jul 18, 2013
    @Sharon H mentioned if the toilet is flushed regularly, there is no need for a pumice stone. Must depend on your water. When we lived in the city, I didn't even know what a pumice stone was--didn't need one. However, a couple years ago we moved to the country and we get our water from a well. Even though we put a fancy-schmancy (and expensive) filtration and chlorination system on our pump, I find our toilets develop a slight ring right at the water line every week or two. To clean it, I just flush the toilet and before the water completely fills in the bowl, I spray Clorox Cleanup all around the inside of the toilet bowl (probably not great for our septic tank, but oh well...). I close the lid and let it sit for awhile. By the time someone comes in to use the toilet again, the ring at the water line is usually gone. Occasionally, I will need to do a couple quick swishes with the toilet brush or pumice stone but most of the time the Clorox Cleanup takes care of it without any further scrubbing. I also notice that since we replaced the toilets in the house, they require far less cleaning effort than the old, original (1978) toilets that were here when we bought the house. They were pretty nasty. I think after years of cleaning, the protective finish on bathtubs, toilets, tile etc., must get scratched, scrubbed off, or eaten away by chemicals in commercial cleaners and they become "grunge" magnets. Then, even with constant cleaning, they often don't look clean.
  • Sharon H Sharon H on Jul 18, 2013
    I agree with the toilet issue once the finish is gone. Time to start looking in the Clearance isle at Home Depot or Lowes.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 18, 2013
    Lol - Thanks Becky - I know that I - should - clean everything before it looks dirty; but 1) I'm a Guy, and 2) If it don't look dirty - don't clean it!...Yes, these are my mistakes but I don't think that I am alone....Any Guys out there to back me up?. My other problem is I can't even imagine trying to squeegee the shower after every use - I would hate my shower so much that I would probably take a sledge hammer to it. Just not that disciplined but I can see how it would work. Give Kudos to your Hubby for making an awesome Well Water Filtration System in the basement - that has got to help!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 18, 2013
    Hi Shari - I'm glad that you are my pumice stone buddy - I'm kind of lost without it. I definitely agree with you and Sharon - that if you scrub and pumice and chemically attack the toilet too long that it is a goner!..I will try to moderate those activities and use more of your frequent cleaning ideas. I think that you may want to talk to Becky about her Hubby's homemade Well Water Filtration System - it sounds like it is working great for them! Thanks
  • Z Z on Jul 18, 2013
    LOL I'm glad you didn't take that wrong Matthew. Our 30 year old son and his son lives with us. Lord knows I trained our son right but I'm sure he'd back you up anyway. Please understand that I'm not saying our home is perfectly clean. Far from it. Everytime I'm almost "there" we start working on another project and the house cleaning sits on the back burner. Because of this I'm working to get myself on the file card system I used when the kids were growing up. I plan on posting soon, though being a guy I'm sure you don't care. ;^) LOL Though my hubby has made many things, the filtration system was installed by someone else. He did the research though. ♥ He's totally awesome. ♥
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 18, 2013
    Becky, thanks for the reassurance that I don't stand alone as a man on this. And, talk about Projects - there is always a surplus - so that's why I can't get around to frequent cleaning often enough. If I did, my swimming pool would likely be shown on National Geographic! Keep up the Good Fight!
  • Z Z on Jul 18, 2013
    You too Mathew. The fact that you, as a guy, are asking is impressive. ;^)
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 18, 2013
    Any tips from the Professional Cleaning bloggers?
  • Z Z on Jul 18, 2013
    Mathew, I'm going to tag a couple lady members that might have some ideas, though for the toilet I highly recommend the Kaboom I mentioned above. You still have to clean the other parts of the toilet regularly, but the bowl stays great looking, no rings, for a long time. @Attn: Sharon @ mrs. hines class&@Anna M Do you have any ideas for this young man?
  • Melissa Gutilla Melissa Gutilla on Jul 18, 2013
    I put some bleach in our toilets once a week to keep the ring away. If you wax the shower walls and the inside of your skin the soap scum, toothpaste etc will run off and requires a lot less cleaning. The only thing I haven't found a solution for yet is keeping the grout on the floor clean! I also used to clean houses for about a year. Hope that helps ya! Go ahead and wax everything while it's clean it will save you time on the next cleaning!!
  • Melissa Gutilla Melissa Gutilla on Jul 18, 2013
    Sorry meant to say inside of your sink- not inside of your skin! lol Just use regular car wax. Also for me the Kaboom never worked and if it did it required a lot more work. There also was the clorox drop in's for your toilet tanks they work and I've used them before but not now because I'm worried my dogs may drink it. With all boys in the house u never know when it will be left up.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 19, 2013
    You are very kind - Becky, thanks for your great ideas and for contacting your friends for me! Enjoyed the chat.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 19, 2013
    Too late Melissa - I was already putting it inside my skin! Lol Thanks for sharing your novel techniques - they definitely sound like they have merit - especially with your past cleaning background. I try to keep up on my Clorox drop-ins - I think they are important for sanitizing. Regarding tile grout on the floor of the shower - Ugh!!...another bane of my existence. I'm planning to have professional tile cleaners come in to try to extract that stuff from the tile and grout. Can you get yours clean?
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Jul 19, 2013
    It takes 20 minutes for a toilet bowl cleaner to work. If you are using a stone on the toilet you need to find a toilet bowl cleaner that has muriatic acid in it it will help keep the hard water build up off the toilet. I spraying down the lid and outside toilet with a gentle cleaner. My shower cleaners take 10 minutes to work, if you warm up the shower, tub, and sink first it will work better and faster. So I warm everything up first then spray the cleaner and spread it with a sponge. Dust, clean wood work.After this I scrub the toilet down, then rinse the brush in clean toilet water and place it under the lid and spray disinfectant on it let it dry. It will keep your brush from getting rusty. I don't dry the toilet until the brush is dry.I use a magic eraser, if it is tile I use a little brush with a handle to scrub the grout. Rinsing is the key to keeping it clean. If it isn't rinsed well enough it will pick up dirt and get dirty really quick.Having a window squeegee saves time. After everything is rinsed off I use my window squeegee drys all the surfaces and then I towel and get any streaks, I dry the faucet. Drying is the key to shiny. I use a mirror cleaner without ammonia, because it will cause the mirror to flake around the edges. I squeegee it off and put what I have left on the sink and counter surface. My window cleaner is safe for all surfaces. I dry everything. Then I dry the toilet. Sweep, mop and I dry the floors. It will get any left crude on the floor. If there is tile on the walls I also spray it down and squeegee it off, dry any streaks. If there is any finger prints around the light plate switch, or on the walls I do this while I am waiting for the cleaners to work. Usually while I am waiting for the cleaners to do their job I dust other rooms and clean mirrors. To also keep hard water build up place vinegar in the toilet at night while everyone is asleep. Having the right tools makes your work faster, most people don't use window squeegees because at first the are awkward. But I can clean office windows in a few minutes with one a bathroom mirror takes seconds with one, Micro fiber towels are amazing, I use flour towels they leave no lint behind when you use them on a window, or glass. I use mirror towels also but I use these to dust they are incredible because they also leave no lint on the surface. Micro fiber mops can get in anywhere. I use these to clean the trim, and I dry with them also. Drying makes everything shiny.
  • Sharon H Sharon H on Jul 19, 2013
    Once you have your grout clean you can seal it. Grout is porous which is why it holds all the mold, scum and minerals in. The sealer which is made specifically for bathroom grout works much the way polyurethane works on wood grain and makes the surface of the grout more like that of the tile. Thanks for the earlier cleaning compliments but they were born out of necessity. I raised four boys and had no girls. Keeping a clean bathing and especially toilet area became one of the most important things in my life. It was right up there with eating. I'm sure some of you Mom's have seen what little boys and big boys (and perhaps girls I wouldn't know) can do to a bathroom. Yuck!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 19, 2013
    Whoa - Sherrie! Slow down there - I feel like I'm trying to keep up with the Energizer Bunny! Wow - you really have your system down pat - don't you. That sounds like a great process and thank you for the new cleaning tool ideas. Great tip on the Microfiber Towels - I love to use them - they are a great technology. I have both types - reusable cloth type - and for real dirty jobs I use the Disposable Microfiber towels then toss 'em. Rinsing well and drying everything makes good sense and I will do that. I had a squeegee in my shower - but I'm not disciplined enough to use it all the time. It sat there and got moldy - so I tossed it. So Sherrie, how long does it take you to complete your described process for one bathroom?
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 19, 2013
    Hi again Sharon, Oh can my Mom relate to you. See had 8 boys - 0 girls! And, yes us boys and men are probably a bathrooms worst nightmare; however, I have a daughter who is 19 now and I can tell you that daughters destroy a bathroom too - but in a totally different manner than boys. Their impact is more related to the sink area with all the make-up, specialty beauty products, and clutter. The Shower also takes a big hit with a tougher soap scum, hair strands, shaving products, moisturizers, shampoos, detanglers,drain clogging, and stuff that I don't have a clue what it is. Thanks for mentioning sealing the grout. I'm a big proponent for sealing the grout and tile and caulking to prevent mold and mildew issues. In fact, the tub, tile, grout, and caulking in the picture I included above are completely sealed and protected by Self-Cleen ST3 - see www.selfcleen.com for more info. That's why it looks shiny and brand new. And that is the original vintage tub and tile that came with my older home. I have to PROTECT everything in the bathroom from my daughter's wrath! Thanks again.
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Jul 19, 2013
    Mattew I have a cleaning business. I am in demand because I know surfaces and I am detail oriented. I know that most shower cleaners take 10 minutes to work, that is why you can't spray it in and wipe it and expect it to clean. And Sharon is absolutely right about sealers. You need to be sure how long it lasts, they last anywhere from 6 months to a 1 year. But taking a couple of hours to clean is a very long time! But at least anyone who uses your bathrooms know their clean! On a bathroom your size it would take me no longer than 20 minutes. That is wiping all wood work, tile, dusting, cleaning a tub, shower and 2 sinks, mirrors including full length, drying it and making it shine. The squeegee I use you can buy at Lowe's and it is for windows. They work better than the one you had and it more water off because they are stronger and longer than the shower ones. A micro fiber mop is amazing I clean more than the floor with it and even dry use it will pick up a tons of hair and stuff on the floor. Great Luck! I had girls and know how they leave the bathrooms. And your mother must be a saint!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 19, 2013
    Thanks Sherrie, I think my Mom is a Saint too! I can't believe that you can do all that in just 20 minutes - so I was right you are the Energizer Bunny! But, since you are a Cleaning Professional than I expected you to be much faster than me. The 2-hours I spent on the bathroom was because I didn't usually go into my daughter's bathroom - and when I finally did - Whoa Shock! I had strong build-ups of Lime Scale and Soap Scum, along with stains to deal with. That's what I call Deep-Cleaning. What you described is a very organized process to help keep from getting to the need for my Deep-Cleaning problem. Your tactics are obviously much better than mine! Thanks for the additional info.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 19, 2013
    Yay - Connie, Picky People Unite! It sounds like Hotel Cleaning and Professional Home & Commercial cleaners use a similar approach. You describe an organized System and Sherrie provided an organized Process. That type of information is invaluable to try to get an unorganized cleaner - like me - to have a chance to reduce long cleaning bouts because we wait too long to get to the cleaning. And, that is the type of info that I share with other people that are of the same ilk as I. I claim part of this problem is Guy DNA related - but I still want my bathrooms very CLEAN - for myself and guests. And you guessed it, I have terribly hard water and I also get lead staining - so it has to be dealt with. Oh- And Thanks for the compliments on my tub cleaning - not bad for divorced guy. Take Care
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Jul 19, 2013
    Matthew just noticed your last name my maiden name is Ginger and I keep it hyphenated because I haven't met very many people with my last name. Unless their related. But in case of 18 year old daughters who are a mess....hand her the cleaner and tell her to get with it. But of course at that age it is your house and your problem or it is until they move out and live with someone who does it to them. I remember my daughter coming home and telling me about how horrible and messy her friend was that come to visit and how she left her bathroom messy and ate all her food and how inconsiderate and horrible she was. : ) I just smiled.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 19, 2013
    Lol - Ya got to love 'em! It's my fault - I brought her up as a Princess - and she is going to take ever benefit that comes with her royal position! Dad does the cleaning - but she helps sometimes. Thank you
  • Melissa Gutilla Melissa Gutilla on Jul 19, 2013
    We bought this house in November and I've been doing alot of fix it stuff. Painting ceiling, wall etc. I'm working on my main bathroom now. I think I'm going to get the stuff to paint and seal all the grout on the floor--if it works well I'm gonna do it in the shower in my bathroom also. Once I get the bathroom done I'm going to post the before and after pics and I will let you know if it works.--fingers crossed! lol
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Hi Melissa - great idea! And, it sounds like you will be making great progress on your new place. I can't wait to see before and after pics. I think all of us love to see real results from testing the great ideas that this creative and talented community comes up with. I know i do. Thanks for your support and have a good weekend!
  • Cynthia Cynthia on Jul 20, 2013
    Are you going to eat off the toilet. LOL! You are an amazing cleaner! :)
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Lol - Hmmm....I hadn't thought of it - but now that you mention it... Thanks for the compliment Cynthia. Some times I can go a little overboard, but I don't think I would want to compete with this group of experienced cleaners! Enjoy your weekend
  • Sandra Cook Sandra Cook on Jul 20, 2013
    You can apply RainX to your shower walls and the water and soap scum won't stick. Just not on show or tub floor as it will be slippery
  • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Jul 20, 2013
    The best shower scum cleaner I've EVER used has been a spray bottle with half vinegar and half concentrated Blue Dawn dish soap. Shake it up well --- spray on and then with a good brush you can easily and quickly clean the shower tiles. I actually use it in the toilet as well. Everything is sparkling clean in no time at all. You can check out Pinterest for other great uses of Dawn and vinegar.
  • Ann Marie Kaza Ann Marie Kaza on Jul 20, 2013
    I have TERRIBLE black mold/mildew in my shower grout lines and caulk. I cant get any of it while nothing seems to take it off. Also, I have a white shower floor- resin or plastic I guess? And I cant get it white anyemore.... Can ANYONE reccomend something?? Bleach alone doesnt do it. HELP!!
  • Cindy Tucker Cindy Tucker on Jul 20, 2013
    I use white vinegar to kill mold and break down hard water around faucet handles etc; it also works great on grout. Then I take a product called Iron Out (the powder) and sprinkle it into the wet toilet bowl. Leave the bathroom, put the fan on, and close the door. After an hour return to wipe everything down with a non-abrasive scrubby (you should only have to flush the toilet. I have been cleaning homes and rentals for years and this is my routine; I never spend more then a half hour in the worst bathroom.
  • Andrea Reed Andrea Reed on Jul 20, 2013
    Cynthia, thanks....Iam going to try and find the Iron Out...do you know where to get it...my toilet Iam having a problem getting light tan marks off the bowl, scrub and scrub...won't come off, they say its from the water.....and ideas. Thanks
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Jul 20, 2013
    My mother started to teach me the basics of house cleaningwhen I was eight years old. That wasbefore all the appliances were automatic and/or electric. Sometimes I resented her; but most of thetimes, I thought it was fun doing things with her. Now that I am approaching 60, I feel I have agood grasp of what it takes make a good home that is clean, cost-effective andwell organized. But I am still learningnew things on this forum, especially from the ladies that had/have cleaningbusinesses.
  • Tamara Tamara on Jul 20, 2013
    Matthew - I love the color of your bathroom!!! May we see what other colors you're added? Curtains, rugs, etc.? Thanks!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Ahhhh! - Sandra - SAFETY is #1 with me for protecting my daughter! The slippery aspect of RAIN-X is why it is meant for Cars and NOT Showers. Get the right tool for the job - Self-Cleen ST3 Self-Cleaning Protective Coating keeps soap scum and scale away for up to 6-months and it is SAFE - it gets less slippery when wet and can be used on all shower and tub surfaces! It costs more - but how much value do you put on SAFETY? I don't skimp when it comes to that. Go to www.selfcleen.com for the application specific solution. Thanks for your comment though.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Thank you Elizabeth - I have keep hearing about using the Vinegar & Dawn combination - so this must be a good mixture. I personally have only used straight White Vinegar - but I certainly going to share this recommendation of hitting the scum with the Dawn & Vinegar Combo!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Hi Anna Marie, those are some tough problems that I have too - so I look forward to more recommendations from our community on them. I had a big mold & mildew problem in my daughters bathroom because she won't open the window - for privacy reasons and its an old house so I don't have a ventilation fan. I did quite a bit of internet research on the problem and this is what i found out: 1) Bleach only affects the mildew at the very surface of the grout - it does not penetrate to kill it within the grout - so it is OK for the 1st Step 2) Vinegar will penetrate into the grout and can help kill more of the mildew. Use plenty of straight white vinegar and try a couple of applications as the 2nd Step 3) Hydrogen Peroxide also penetrates into the grout - so I used it as the 3rd Step to killing the mildew and removing the stains. I got good results with this 3-Step Approach; however, there can be some stubborn areas that still have some remnant sign of mildew stain. For those limited spots - you either choose to live with it - try the Process more times - or grind out some of the grout and regrout. Regarding the Floor of the shower - I have admitted defeat and I am calling in the Professional Tile Cleaners who have the RIGHT Tools to quickly Extract the dirt from shower floors. I think it will work the same on Resin Floors as on Tile Floors, but if our friends have an easier solution then I look forward to hearing about it. Good luck!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Hi Cindy Tucker - thanks for your tips. I have not heard about "Iron Out" powder before. And it sounds like some of our other contributors are interested in where to get it also. It's great to have lots of tools available in your arsenal for fighting all these bathroom cleaning problems. Can you tell us more about the Iron Out?
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Nice comment Liliana - I too have to give Kudos to all the knowledgeable ladies for sharing their hard earned experience with us! Big THANKS to ALL!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Thanks so much Tamara - I will be glad to take a couple pics of my remodel of my daughter's bathroom to share with you. The Tub, Tile, Toilet and Sink are all ORIGINAL for my older Ranch Style Home and they are in great condition (knock on wood); so I can't take credit for those colors - I inherited them. Thanks again!
  • Rosalie M Rosalie M on Jul 20, 2013
    I feel that time frame is about right to deeply clean and sanitize the bathroom. I do try to find new cleaners to make this faster and easier. Most recent was Mr. Clean bathroom cleaner (tub & tile) spray. No elbow grease required. Spray on, wipe off. Never saw anything remove soap and bath scum so easy and fast. I love to spread praise for products that I find to help the job go quickly and easier. (Great smell too)
  • Heather Scott Heather Scott on Jul 20, 2013
    I use my steam mop - gets rid of everything and no chemicals
  • Cathy W Cathy W on Jul 20, 2013
    Amazing! If I had known all this 30 years ago.... But now I do! My tiled tub is finally clean. Once a week, I spray some Vinegar/Dawn Combo so the build up can't start again. BIG SMILE! But it took The WORKS (available at the Dollar Store) to get it cleaned first! WARNING: This stuff is potent! Contains sulfuric acid, etc, and should only be used in a WELL VENTILATED (windows open, fan going) space. Do NOT stand in tub when using ( I know this because I tried it and couldn't breath or swallow for several hours) I didn't know what it contained 'cause the print was too small to read... And yes, I'm a blonde.... awwww shuudup! But we blondes know better now! So it's edible i.e. can eat off it if so desired and talented. Thanks to all the Vinegar users!
  • Z Z on Jul 20, 2013
    @Heather, I also use steam to clean with. I have both a steam mop and hand held steam cleaner that I love using. Perfect for use when you have severe allergies.
  • Angel S Angel S on Jul 20, 2013
    To Heather Scott...I have a steam mop as well. I was thinking about how the steam lifts up the dirt but there are little molecules of it vaporizing the air. Does anyone know if you inhale this steam...could it do damage in your lungs or does the heat of the steamer kill ALL of the germs?
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Jul 20, 2013
    @Matthew Gingerella Are you looking for ideas to enhance your cleaning business? LOL!!!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    OK - my Friends, in my own defense as why it took me over 2-hours to clean my daughter's bathroom. Please review the newly added BEFORE pictures at the top of this forum. The BEFORE Photos show a bathroom that needs DEEP-CLEANING. See what I was up against and then tell me if you still think that you could DEEP-CLEAN that bathroom in 20-30minutes!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Thanks you Rosalie - I like your compassionate assessment of the problem and the time frame. I recognize that light cleaning a maintained bathroom may take 20-30 minutes, but I'm talking about a bathroom that hasn't been maintained - because many of us find ourselves in this predicament at one time or another.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Hi Heather, I love my SHARK Steam Mop. I use it on the kitchen and batrhoom floors. Do you find additional uses for it in the bathroom?
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Great Advice Cathy W - I had to use commercial grade pool-tile acid to get the calcium off the fixtures in the above pictures....and it is the same Warnings - you have to be extremely careful when using the big guns. I agree good ventilation, a fan, anything it takes not to be breathing in those harmful fumes. Thank you.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Hi Angel, One of the big advantages of the Steam Mop is that the Steam reaches a level to kill the germs - so that it is sanitizing while it cleans. However, I would not recommend snorting the the steam vapors for any reason. : )
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 20, 2013
    Hi SIa, I really like your Big Smile - you look like a very happy person. Thanks for your question, but No - I am obviously not a Cleaner and I do not have a Cleaning business. If I did - it is clear that I would go out of business quickly because I take way too long to get the job done. But, I do a pretty meticulous job - time aside. I am just taking in all of your great suggestions to help myself and provide good tips to my friends and customers that are trying to get their bathrooms really clean. Keep smiling!
  • Angel S Angel S on Jul 21, 2013
    lol @ Matthew. :) Have you ever heard of, or tried, CLR? It's a calcium, lime and rust remover. They advertise like it's something sort of new but my father had it in our home at least 45 years ago. I'm sorry you had to go to so much trouble but the bathroom looks amazing...and yes...you could probably eat in there! :)
  • Heather Scott Heather Scott on Jul 21, 2013
    To Angel - I am thinking that the steam would kill anything . I got mine to clean faster and to cut back on chemicals - use the hand held in the shower and put it back together to do nearly everything else - I have a girlfriend who used hers to clean her oven and it worked but haven't tried that yet
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Jul 21, 2013
    @Matthew Gingerella You are awesome!!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 21, 2013
    Thank you Sia, and you are very sweet to say so - and very fun - so keep in touch.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 21, 2013
    Thanks for the Compliment Angel ! Yes, I have performed a step by step scientific method test on removing toilet ring scale from toilets and CLR (R) was the least effective. Lime-Away (R) removed some but not all of the ring. Swimming Pool Tile-Cleaner was the best but still did not remove all of the ring and scale on the side-walls; hence, why I used a soft Pool-Tile Pumice Stone to get all of the scale out of the bowl and out from under the rim. Many people will remind you that using a pumice stone causes some abrasion to the toilet bowl surface that can catch more lime scale in the future - and I know that to be true. But since I apply my permanent transparent Self-Cleaning Coating over the surface after using the pumice stone - that is no longer an issue. See www.selfcleen.com for details on protecting bathroom surfaces AFTER you finally get them clean. I don't recommend CLR (R).
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 21, 2013
    For any of you that would like to try my Spray-on Transparent Self-Cleaning Protective Coating at www.selfcleen.com, please use the 20% Discount Code: ( hometalk) at check out. Thanks.
  • Kim Armstrong Kim Armstrong on Jul 21, 2013
    Matthew, your bathroom looks fantastic! I have an eco-friendly cleaning company and we are hiring. Can you move to Virginia and work for us? Now that you have given your bathroom a deep cleaning, the next time won't be so hard. If you can find the time to clean once a week or every other week, it shouldn't take more than 30 minutes. Having the tools at your fingertips cuts down on time. My favorite soap scum remover is a Mr. Clean Sponge. Great job, you're awesome!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 21, 2013
    Thanks for the compliments Kim! - It is an attractive job proposal...but I'm a Cali Guy. Yes - your right - my maintenance cleaning takes a fraction of the time. I do have an idea for an additional service that you can provide to your existing and new clients if you want to discuss it off-line.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 21, 2013
    OK Tamara, these pictures of the bathroom are for you per your request. Just remember that I didn't tell anyone that I am a decorator. The first picture is the old color scheme prior to repainting.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 21, 2013
    More pictures Tamara.
  • Pamela Fassero Pamela Fassero on Jul 25, 2013
    If you put iron out in the top of the toilet, let stand overnight, you can just wipe out most of the rust build up, mild dew, etc. You can buy iron out, at any hardware store, homedepot has it. I use iron out in my washer too.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 25, 2013
    Thank you for getting back to me Pamela, and for providing the additional information on Iron Out for removing rust stains. I will look for it on my next money deposit at Home Depot. Take care
  • Jan 3 Boll Jan 3 Boll on Jul 26, 2013
    I tried CLR when I first cleaned the large buckets my friend uses to water her horses - it did't work as well as I had hoped. Then I tried The Works and fell in love with it (but not its smell), Her water is very hard and irony and the water turned the white buckets brown. I even tried it on my glass coffee pot - in seconds it was cleaned - just wash anything like that before use. I also use it in the toilet tank, shower heads, even my cpap water-holder when I didn't have distilled water.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 26, 2013
    Thank you for the useful tip Jan'c! I keep hearing about "The Works" for cleaning lime scale - so I am going to have to look into that one. Take care
  • Melissa Gutilla Melissa Gutilla on Jul 26, 2013
    Looks nice! I hope you resolved the mold issue on the ceiling. We just got this house in Nov and discovered that 2 of the bathroom vents are not vented outside they are vented into the space between the upstairs floor and the ceiling. So until further notice no one is allowed to use the vent and the bathroom door is cracked to let the moisture out during a shower.
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Jul 26, 2013
    The Works is toilet bowl cleaner it has muratic acid which is Why It Works! Pun is free!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 26, 2013
    Thank you Melissa - it's good to hear from you again! And - yes, as you can see in the 2nd photo of the new painted beige ceiling - there is no mold after almost 6-months because I also coated the painted surfaces with my Self-Cleen ST3 - resists mold and mildew. If I hadn't coated the walls and ceiling, then the mold would have come right back because my daughter still doesn't open the window and the high humidity conditions are still the same. I protect everything in her bathroom - especially her white cabinets that you see in the photos! She came to me last month and said - Dad, I spilled my foundation down my cabinets...but it wiped off - she said with a smile. The white cabinets and tile grout have also survived some hair-dye accidents too. I worked too hard on her bathroom to let it get ruined. Thanks again
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 26, 2013
    Lol...Oh- just quit it Sherrie! A Talented - Smart Business Woman - Beautiful - AND Funny?!!! You are too much!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 29, 2013
    Hi Everybody, there have been LOTS of great cleaning recommendations from all of you. And some people may have missed some of them because it is hard to go back through so many responses. So for your benefit, I have reviewed the responses to be able to provide summary lists for you. Here is the first summary list for Shower/Tub Cleaning Products and Tips (in no specific order): - Keep an After-Shower Cleaning Spray in the shower and use it every time - Use a WINDOW Squeegee after each shower - It's important to Rinse thoroughly and Dry the surfaces - Magic Sponge, Mr. Clean Sponge, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser - Mr. Clean Tub & Tile Cleaner - Warm up Shower & Sink before cleaning to make Cleaners work better - Home made Shower Scum Cleaning in spray bottle: 1/2 Vinegar and 1/2 Dawn - White Vinegar to kill mold - The WORKS (Toilet Bowl Cleaner) used on Shower and Tub - Steam Cleaner Machine Great Tips from Great People!
  • Z Z on Jul 29, 2013
    That's an awesome idea Matthew. Makes it so nice for the late commers to the show, so to speak.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 29, 2013
    Thank you Becky, it's also nice for people like me that don't have the best memory! lol
  • Z Z on Jul 29, 2013
    Oh gosh, tell me about it Matthew. I used to have such an amazing memory, but years of migraines and neck pain have kicked that wonderful trait to the wind.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 29, 2013
    Oh- Becky, I'm sorry.....but I forgot what we were talking about! lol Sorry to hear that - its not fun.
  • Z Z on Jul 29, 2013
    Yes it is funny Matthew. That's one thing I haven't forgotten. How to laugh. And especially at myself.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 30, 2013
    Hi all! Here is the 2nd Summary - it is the great recommendations received for Cleaning Toilets: - Kaboom Scrub Free mounted in Toilet - Clorox Clean-up - A pumice stone when it gets too bad - Periodically pour bleach in the toilet - Use Clorox Drop-Ins in the Tank - Pour Vinegar in the Toilets at night - Iron-Out Powder in the Toilet for Stains - The WORKS Toilet Cleaner Did I miss anything for the toilets?
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jul 31, 2013
    Hello! Here is the 3rd Summary - It covers suggestions to Reduce or Prevent bathroom Cleaning Problems: TO PREVENT TOILET RINGS: - Use Kaboom (R) in bowl cleaner TO REDUCE HARD WATER DEPOSITS IN BATHROOM & HOUSE: - Install a Water Softener or Water Treatment System so the water is no longer hard TO PREVENT SOAP SCUM & SCALE FROM STICKING TO SHOWER GLASS AND WALLS: - Spray Glass & Walls with Rain-X (R); POSSIBLE SAFETY CONCERN: Rain-X can make the Shower/Tub floor slippery - Rub Glass & Walls with Car Wax; POSSIBLE SAFETY CONCERN: Car Wax can make the Shower/Tub floor slippery TO PREVENT SOAP SCUM & SCALE FROM STICKING TO THE SHOWER FLOOR, GLASS AND WALLS FOR UP TO 6-MONTHS: - Spray with Self-Cleen ST3 Coating for Showers, Toilets, Tub & Tile (No Safety Concern) TO RESIST BACTERIA, MOLD & MILDEW GROWTH ON BATHROOM SURFACES: - Spray with Self-Cleen ST3 Coating for Showers, Toilets, Tub & Tile (No Safety Concern)
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Aug 05, 2013
    #1. OK - my Friends, just to prove that I am listening and willing to try the great tips that you provided, I decided to Carefully prepare my old white tile shower for a Worst Case Cleaning Test - by not cleaning it for a while :). Per the suggestion of Kim Armstrong and a couple other friends, I picked up a 2-pack Mr. Clean Magic Erasers (50% stronger) at the grocery store and decided to Test them against a Guy Shower. The first photo shows the tile with embedded dirt BEFORE scrubbing it with the Magic Erasers. The second photo shows the area that I scrubbed, and Scrubbed, and SCRUBBED with the two Magic Erasers. At first I was impressed that the Magic Erasers removed the surface dirt and some of the embedded dirt too. But after too much scrubbing on a total of (9) tiles - the two Magic Erasers were in fragments (as shown). It would take a case of Magic Erasers to scrub this old tile clean - not cost effective. In all fairness, I'm not sure that the Magic Erasers are intended for this type of heavy duty scrubbing - they are probably great for many other cleaning applications. But I read the box carefully and took note to the Warning about not using the Magic Eraser on your skin as it could cause Scratches. Hmmm....scratches. From this tid bit of info I concluded that at least part of the Magic Eraser cleaning mechanism is scratching - or abrasion. A-ha, so what other abrasive product could I use to try to get the rest of the shower floor clean and remove the embedded dirt spots?
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Aug 09, 2013
    #2. Well, since so many friends suggested "Bar Keepers Friend" as a good abrasive powder for cleaning tubs and showers, I decided to try that next to the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers for comparison. See photo. The Bar Keepers Friend powder removed the surface dirt and some of the embedded dirt in the tiles. The big advantage with Bar Keepers Friend is that I had a can of it and could clean the entire shower with it; while I was out of the Magic Erasers in 9 tiles. That said, I think the Mr. Clean magic erasers did a little better job at getting some of the embedded dirt out of the tile pores. I still have to give this ROUND to Bar Keeper's Friend. But I still have the patches of dirt in the tile pores that I want to get rid of. So what next to try?
  • No1in91 No1in91 on Aug 09, 2013
    Were there supposed to be suggestions and products or directions of how you do your deep cleaning on here, or just the photos? Sorry for the question but I can never find the directions for anything on here.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Aug 09, 2013
    Hi No1in91, I can see how you can get confused by the truncating of the posts. There are actually 84 comments in this post stream, but they are not showing sometimes. At the top of the list, above your post, it says "84 Comments"..........Displaying 1 of 84 comments , "See All Comments". Click on "See All Comments" and it will expand to show the comments and suggestions. Thanks for your questions.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Aug 10, 2013
    #3 How about trying the Mucho Abrasion Power of my pool tile pumice stone?! Yes - I did. It abraded the surface dirt away much like the Bar Keepers Friend but it was no help with the embedded dark patches. Oh Well - it's helped before on tubs. At this point I can get the surface clean with Bar Keepers Friend, but I need to find something to get into the pores and get some of that dark junk out of there. What to do??????
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Aug 14, 2013
    #4 Alright, it was time to try a professional product - so I applied an Acidic Tile Cleaner to the area that I had previously cleaned with the pumice stone. Good News: It did help remove some of the embedded dirt in the tile where I had previously cleaned. Bad News 1: It did not do so well on an uncleaned tile by itself - go figure?!. Bad News 2: I still haven't found a way to get the embedded dirt out of the tile pores. :(
  • Rosemary Gualtiere Rosemary Gualtiere on Aug 14, 2013
    Matthew hi there how your having a good! Now some years ago I used ZUD. it worked wonders believe me if you can't found it where comment is I will give you another
  • Rosemary Gualtiere Rosemary Gualtiere on Aug 14, 2013
    my what mistakes lol souls read I hope your have in a good day. and that Zud where comet is sold lol some times I word things and some time it looks different lol
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Aug 14, 2013
    Hi Rosemary - it is nice to hear from you. I like the name - ZUD - what type of cleaning problem does it help to solve? What did you use it on before? I look forward to hearing from you.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Aug 14, 2013
    Oh - OK Rosemary, then Zud is a powder product like Comet?
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Aug 16, 2013
    #5. The saga continues. At this point I need to get very creative to try to find something that will get the embedded dirt out of the pores of my semi-white shower floor tile. But, first I needed to cover all my bases....What if the stuff in the pores is hard water deposits, I thought? I grabbed the old standby lime remover - Lime-Away....then thought about its fumes. So I opened the window wide and placed a fan in the door way to blow the fumes out. So as I was saying, I grabbed the Lime-Away and sprayed it on the shower tile....gagged...then sprayed some more...coughed repeatedly...then sprayed the rest and ran out of the bathroom. I figured that if the stuff in the tile pores is hard water deposits then I needed to let the Lime-Away soak in Good - and dissolve it. So, I sat patiently at the door for 3, 4 - 5 whole minutes. Then I felt like I had to do something! Then, something that my friend @Sherrie had suggested popped into my mind. She said to warm up the shower (or whatever you are working on ) to make the cleaners work better. Makes sense to me - but you supposed to do that before you spray the cleaner on. Still, heat sounded like something worth trying. So I hurried off to grab my Steam Mop. I figured that I would heat it up just fine! I warmed up the Steam Mop and steamed the bajeebers out of the lime-away soaked tile. Even if it didn't work - it felt like I was accomplishing something. But Hah!...It actually did help a little more. I could swear that there was less dark spots than before. So, that is 2 Extra Points for Sherrie because she also recommends Steam Mops! Partial victory - but there is still more junk that needs to be removed from the tile pores.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Aug 21, 2013
    #6. OK - so I was grasping at straws! I tried professional floor stripper to see if it would dissolve the gunk in the tile pores - but no luck. It works great at getting the dirty wax off of my linoleum kitchen floor though. :)
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Aug 27, 2013
    #7. Here we go again... Since I had previously performed an Acid Cleaning (#4), I figured that I had better try a Caustic (Base) Cleaning Step. The best caustic cleaner that I had in the house was Easy Off Oven Cleaner. SAFETY PROTECTION: So, I put on protective gloves - made sure there was plenty of ventilation and air circulation from a fan; then sprayed the Easy Off on the shower tile floor. After the fumes died down, I steam mopped the caustic cleaner to try to drive the chemicals down into the pores of the tile. I was pleasantly surprised that it did remove some more of the gunk from within the pores of the tile. Not perfect, but getting better - Yay!
  • Sandy Logan Sandy Logan on Sep 01, 2013
    I have had excellent results using Soft Scrub with bleach in it. I have white tile all over my house. It removed hair color from white grout! I have a rotary scrubber that has changeable heads and I use them for cleaning my tiles. The bleach helps to brighten the white and the rotary scrubber helps it get deep down enough to remove the deep crud. I honestly couldn't live without it and Scrubbing Bubbles.
    • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 01, 2013
      @Sandy Logan Thank you very much for sharing your successful technique for fighting the white tile crud problem. For some reason, I think I would have liked this info earlier! Take care, Matthew
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Sep 01, 2013
    I use a commercial steamer when I am cleaning and re-sealing grout. I rent it for a day do my floors and showers. It melts the dirt.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 01, 2013
    Hi @Sherrie, I should have known that you would have a straight forward Smart Solution to my problem. However, I am a guy - so you can see what happens when we think we are smart enough to fix something - lol! I actually tried to Rent a professional steamer at Home Depot and they didn't offer them. Where do you rent your Professional Steamers from?
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 01, 2013
    To all readers, if you have a tile cleaning problem like mine - then please follow the advice of @Sherrie and @Sandy Logan, above. For entertainment value - you can follow the remaining posts of my cleaning Saga.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 01, 2013
    #7 Final Touch on removing the remnant gunk from the pores in my old white shower tile. I steam mopped it with bleach. At this point it was evening, and I don't know if I really removed all of the gunk - but it looked pretty darn acceptable to me - as I was ready to collapse to the floor!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 01, 2013
    #8 Now - If anyone doesn't recognize why it takes me 2+ Hours to clean things, then you were not paying attention to my Sage #1 - #8. : )
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Sep 01, 2013
    General Rental. I have also used a grinder and ground out the grout when I first moved into this house. They had painted it with a poxy paint and it was black and even stripping it I couldn't get all of it out. So a grinder would work. But because I never used one before I had a couple of scuff marks on the tile. You need a really steady hand but it would also work. But I am betting using the muratic acid did the trick! Great idea!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 01, 2013
    Thanks @Sherrie , I will have to find a better Rental Place around town for doing special projects. I must say though, I would love to buy one of the near professional grade Steam Cleaning Machines - there's just so much you can do with one that has the real steam power and temperature! We can all dream - right?
  • Total Home Tile & Grout Repair and Remodels Total Home Tile & Grout Repair and Remodels on Sep 03, 2013
    Matthew, is your shower tile grout non-sanded or sanded? Non-sanded is smooth to the touch and sanded grout is rough. When non-sanded grout gets dirty the best way to clean is to remove it and re-grout it! Most of the time when you see black specs in the grout it is due to water seeping through small pin holes in the grout and mold starts growing behind the tiles and the tile eventually pops off! The reason too why grout gets pin holes in it is because the person uses bleach products like Tilex for instance. These products eat away at the grout and removes the top surface of the grout and creates pin holes in the grout. For sanded grout you can use mild acids to deep clean the grout.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 03, 2013
    Hi @Diana P , thanks for responding, My shower grout is smooth so then it is non-sanded. I will take your advice and remove the grout and redo it because it has a lot more than pin holes in it and it will just be a continued problem, otherwise. Good advice, Matthew
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 06, 2013
    #9 You didn't really think I was done - did you?...Now for the best part: There is only 1-Reason that I spend so many HOURS cleaning something REALLY GOOD - and that Reason is to Coat-it with Self-Cleen ST3 - so that I NEVER have to go through ANY of the STEPS 1-8 again! My clean white floor tile and grout are now protected and sealed with a transparent permanent barrier, so they will never be touched by the elements again. The new surface is Stain-Proof, Water-Proof and Scale-Proof; as well as Resistant to bacteria, mold and mildew and soap scum. The Self-Cleen ST3 surface is unique in that it gets LESS slippery when wet - so it is safer than uncoated shower or tub floors.You can find it on-line at www.selfcleen.com After a job well done - the Spoils Go to the Victors, so now I can just relax and enjoy my white shower tile floor without worries. I will simply spray on another coat of Self-Cleen ST3 in 6-months to maintain its full self-cleaning properties. One more Problem DOWN. Of course, if I didn't coat my tile with Self-Cleen ST3 - then I would already be seeing the tile getting dingy and I would be dreading the day when I finally couldn't stand looking at it anymore, because I would have to deep clean it all over AGAIN! Now, that would just be silly - wouldn't it? Take care, Matthew
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 22, 2013
    Hi all, Many of you seemed to like the job I did on originally cleaning up my daughter's bathtub, then coating it with Self-Cleen ST3 to protect it. Picture below for your convenience. Well then, you will love the fact that I intentionally did not clean that tub and tile for 6-months so that I could show you what it would look like. If you want to see, then go to the YouTube link below and watch the video. I think you will be surprised! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjltQ15wH5U Thanks, Matthew
  • Bonnie Lewenza Bonnie Lewenza on Sep 23, 2013
    You sound like me when I tackle the bathroom it is an easy two hours. As I get into every nook and cranny and don't stop until it is done from ceiling to floor. My bathroom is all ceramic as well, for that I pull out the big guns as my arms can't take get down on hands and knees with a scrub brush anymore. I have a steamer with every possible nozzle made, very good machine it gets rid of all the crud in between tiles and the best part I am able to get up underneath of the toilet to kill any trapped bacteria. It is the Euro steam machine worth every penny.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 23, 2013
    You got it @Bonnie Lewenza - manic cleaning! But, the good thing is that I only do it ONCE, then coat it with Self-Cleen ST3 so that I never have to go through that hassle ever again. Did you watch the YouTube Video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjltQ15wH5U
  • Bonnie Lewenza Bonnie Lewenza on Sep 23, 2013
    Very impressive especially for the shower, but I can't even go a day without cleaning. Never mind six months I would be insane.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 23, 2013
    Well - an insane @Bonnie Lewenza would not be a Good Thing!
  • Angela Buckley Angela Buckley on Sep 23, 2013
    What did you use to clean the toilet tank?
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 23, 2013
    Hi @Angela - I personally used a strong Pool-Tile Scale Remover - Bio-dex 300; but you may be able to get by with emptying the tank and using Lime-Away or CLR because the Biodex is expensive. You can get more details on that application by seeing my Post: Toilets - Why Clean the Tank? Take care, Matthew
  • Angela Buckley Angela Buckley on Sep 23, 2013
    Thank you Matthew!
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Sep 23, 2013
    My pleasure @Angela Buckley - if you have any questions when working on your toilet, do not hesitate to contact me.
  • Patricia Terry Patricia Terry on Oct 23, 2013
    what is the best product on market or rememdy you could use for the black growth that gets in your toilet bowl. it leaves a black ring and you have to clean it everyday but still cant get it all gone.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Oct 23, 2013
    Hi @Patricia Terry , I will be glad to provide some input for you. If you have black stuff growing in the toilet bowl, then it is likely one of the following - or a combination thereof: bacteria, mold or mildew. All of them are very unattractive and unsanitary. First of all, the black stuff is coming into the bowl from your Tank - which is contaminated, and through the water channels from the Tank to the Bowl - which are the optimum breeding ground for all that is unsanitary. Please review my separate Post called "Toilets - Why Clean the Tank?" http://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/bathroom/toilets-why-clean-the-tank-1836913 to deal with your Tank and Water Channels prior to focusing on the bowl - I will help you with the bowl afterwards. I look forward to hearing about your findings in your Toilet Tank. Good luck, Matthew
    toilets why clean the tank, Luckily it is possible to remove the crud and decontaminate the tank
    Toilets - Why Clean the Tank?
  • Polly Zieper Polly Zieper on Aug 25, 2014
    It takes me about an hour, but it sounds like you are more thorough. I don't have to do mold and lime every time.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Aug 25, 2014
    Thanks for your input @Polly Zieper - that sounds about average. Now I have some tips to cut that in half though . Read them at http://www.selfcleen.com/pages/cleaning-tips
  • Patricia Cates Patricia Cates on Nov 09, 2014
    I am a professional house keeper and this is easy....you must deep clean first....the easiest is Comet Bathroom Cleaner....spray heavy on your wet shower and leave. The next day it will be sticky....dampen and scrub lightly....do this for 3 days. Then after this mix the comet with half water and spray very lightly every other day on a wet shower....do not scrub just spray and leave and you shower is self cleaning....depending on you area, you may only spray every 3 to 4 days. Remember this will work in a couple of hours of you want it done today..let the cleaner do the work. Comet will NOT burn your faucets like costics and acids. Make sure to get comet BATHROOM NOT the BLEACH!!!!! also rubbing alcohol is a great window cleaner.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Nov 09, 2014
    Dear @Patricia Cates , thank you very much for the professional tips. I definitely appreciate your idea for not burning chrome faucets by using Comet Bathroom instead of caustics. Since you are a Professional Housekeeper, you may appreciate a few of my tips for keeping bathrooms cleaner for months - post deep cleaning at SelfCleen.com , Thanks again, Matthew
  • Betsy Betsy on Dec 18, 2014
    I've found that Bar Keepers Friend foam and lots of elbow grease work very well. Initially, it takes about 2 hours, but if kept up, 10 seconds. Just spray, walk away, come back and rinse! Maybe a little scrub but that's it.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Dec 18, 2014
    Thank you @Betsy , I really like Bar Keepers friend too - I use it on all sorts of stuff. I did the 2-hour thing that - one time - and not since because I applied a self-cleaning protective coating (Self-Cleen ST3 on Amazon) to repel soap scum and limescale. No more scrubbing for me - thank goodness. Happy holidays, Matthew
  • Kristi Kristi on Dec 18, 2014
    Personally I like scrubbing bubbles and do it twice a week so it doesn't have time to get bad. Always rinse the tub after using. Wipe out the sink after using. A little goes a long way.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Dec 18, 2014
    Thank you for your tip @Kristi, I can tell you have lots of patience since frequent cleaning doesn't bother you. For me, I HATE cleaning - which is why I took high-tech action to reduce the needed cleaning frequency down to around once every two weeks. And I can just wipe the shower/bath down with inexpensive Distilled White Vinegar - I don't need to buy any other cleaners (sorry SJ Johnson and Scrubbing Bubbles). Thanks again, Matthew
    • See 2 previous
    • Kristi Kristi on Dec 19, 2014
      Well then you are doing better than I thought. Keep it up. Yay.
  • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Dec 18, 2014
    BTW all - I haven't deep-cleaned my shower/tub since that one time about 1-1/2 years ago. No need and it looks awesome with infrequent wipe-downs with vinegar and water. That's what high-tech Anti-Cleaning products are for. I love it, Matthew
  • Cathy Pellum Pierson Cathy Pellum Pierson on Feb 19, 2015
    Dawn or Walgreens brand,which I think is better and vinegar equal amounts of each...
  • Wendy Miles Wendy Miles on Jun 08, 2015
    If you get rid of the bar soap you get rid of the soap scum. The wax in the soap causes the scum. I use liquid body soap.
    • See 1 previous
    • Iliana Iliana on Feb 09, 2017
      I will try this. My bathtub is old .When I bought my place the bathtub was shiny (probably it had the Slelf Cleen)Well I thought it was new. Now I am having a strong problem to get rid of the scum.

  • Debbi Morrow-Carlson Debbi Morrow-Carlson on Jan 15, 2016
    I keep the lime scale and mildew away on a weekly basis, so it never becomes a huge chore. And I wipe down the sink and toilet everyday. It takes about two or three minutes. Once a week, I use any of the foaming bath products. Probably takes 15 minutes to clean the whole thing, including mirrors. If you hate house work it makes a lot of sense to a few minutes each day when it is easy rather than hours of hard work sometime down the line. Furniture polish works wonders in the bathroom!!! I use it on my shower doors. They really look great and the water just slicks right of the surface, preventing the lime to build up at all.
    • Matthew Gingerella Matthew Gingerella on Jan 15, 2016
      @Debbi Morrow-Carlson - Thank you for your great ideas on bathroom maintenance. I agree that if you can be disciplined and clean as you go - then it can prevent the bathroom from becoming the huge burden that I faced in this post. Take care, Matthew
  • Ginny Ginny on Oct 19, 2016
    Bathrooms should be cleaned at least once a week. If you keep on top of it with a good spray cleaner that is harmless to you and your family, you won't have to spent 1-2 hrs. I think 20-30 min. once a week is sufficient; l and, if you hate to clean and can afford it, hire someone but make sure they are good. Get rid of them if they're not. What you called "rust" may be chlorine if your city/town chlorinates their water. Chlorine is pink when it dries in the bottom of a drinking cup or other container that has water accumulation. Also, clean out the small, round water thingy in your toilet with a screwdriver now and then. This hole collects calcium, and eventually can make your toilet difficult to flush, causing backups. Also remember that some new tubs are made of Fiberglass and you should not use regular scouring powder on them. Try Bon Ami...gentle yet cleans well.
  • Momentumjanitorial Momentumjanitorial on Feb 01, 2017
    Good tips for bathroom cleaning.Whether you have own or commercial bathroom, clean and neat restroom will always attract more customers and they will be satisfied and they will again come back with new customer as well rather than unclean restrooms at the workplace spread germs and illnesses to your customers. It is imperative to Regular bathroom cleaning heads off serious mold and mildew outbreaks.
  • Michael Michael on Jan 12, 2022

    Two ways that I know of toilet bowl cleaner out non iodosied salt with rubbing alcohol 91% not less
  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Aug 01, 2022

    I have several cleaning tutorials that might help you https://chascrazycreations.com/diys/how-tos/cleaning/
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