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Tip Store: Cleaning: Bathrooms

​TWIST OUT THE LAST DROP

​If you buy or still have a toilet duck disc cleaner then try this: when you get to the last hole you still have that bit left in the tube; I turn the core so that it goes beyond the last hole and you can press out that last bit of gel onto your toilet bowl and not end up throwing that last bit away.
Contributed by Corne De Jager

​RINSE AID IN THE BATHROOM

Shower screen cleaning - so many ideas, but not all are effective! A water-repelling, soap scum-busting solution for your shower screen is to use RinseAid on the glass. Perhaps not the cheapest method, but surely the most fabulous looking result! Squirt some RinseAid on a sponge or microfibre cloth, wipe the shower screen and enjoy the view through the glass! It seems to be better when you DON'T RINSE! Perfect for showing guests your shower cleaning prowess. The water-repelling effect lasts quite a few days!
Contributed by Vanessa Reynolds

Sweet Smelling Bathroom Bins

​We have small rubbish bins in our bathrooms and I didn't like not having them lined with something as the family and visitors would throw many different things in there - used tissues, cotton buds, messy end of toothpaste tube etc. I found the most economical thing to do was use the cheapest brand of nappy disposal bags. You can get a packet of 200 for only a couple of dollars. They fit snugly into most bathroom bins, smell good & so reduce odours & have ties to secure them before placing in your outside main garbage bin.
Contributed by Jennifer Travers

How to Unblock a Toilet the Easy Way

​Give a very generous squirt with dishwashing detergent in the water bowl, this loosen things in the pipes then pour a bucket of hot water down the toilet; leave it for about 20 minutes. If it is not completely cleared, don’t flush it, just grab another bucket of hot water pour down the bowl and wait then it just flushes away, I found it on YouTube, it actually works and I’m so happy now I don’t have to call a plumber. Just thought I would let you know in case it could help someone else. Here’s the link to where I found how to unblock mine https://youtu.be/ddWHeXSxHlo
Contributed by Rosalie Baker

A Dry Shower is a Clean Shower

​When cleaning the shower, I find drying it down with the bathmat (you could use an old towel) every time I use it, I don't need to clean it as often. As I have clear glass on two sides, no soap scum buildup
Contributed by Joyce Killeen

Unclog Your Showerhead

​Lime scale and mineral build-up can clog water passages over time and decrease water pressure. This easy, nontoxic approach allows you to unclog your showerhead without scrubbing or removing it.

What You'll Need:
plastic bag 
Bicarb soda
white vinegar
rubber band

Step 1. Find a strong plastic bag that is large enough to fit around your showerhead. A grocery bag works well!

Step 2.  Mix 1/3-cup bicarb soda with one cup of white vinegar in the bag. The bicarb soda will react with the vinegar causing it to bubble, so I suggest doing this over a sink or the bath in case it overflows. 

Step 3.  Put the bag over your dirty showerhead and secure with a rubber band. Make sure the head is completely covered in the bicarb solution. The acid in the vinegar reacts with sodium bicarbonate to form carbonic acid, a strong cleaning agent.

Step 4. Leave the bag on the showerhead overnight.

Step 5. in the morning, run the water through the showerhead for a minute, and then rinse the outside of the showerhead and arm until no trace of the bicarb solution remains.

Bonus: You can also grab a pin or needle and gently poke it through the showerhead holes to clear them.

​The Bathtub Soap Scum Buster

When our children were small they had a bath every night (or almost every night, sometimes they weren't dirty enough and I was too tired!). They loved their bath and would stay in it until the water was cold if I'd let them. Of course that meant that often there was a ring of gunk around the bath when it was emptied, a ring of gunk that I had to clean off. 

Then a friend with triplets shared this tip with me and bathtime, or at least cleaning up after bathtime, became a breeze.

Rhonda suggested smearing a light coat of any type of cheap shampoo around the inside of  the bathtub and letting it dry. Don't put it on the bottom of the tub, as it will make it slippery. Doing this helps prevents that ring of scum from forming. 

If you have a ring around your tub at the moment, use a small amount of shampoo on a fine nylon net scrubber sponge loofah thingy. Rub around the ring and it will come off easily and your bathroom won't have that strong chemical odour after cleaning, either. 
TIp of the Day

​Fragrant Bubble Bath for your Loo

​If rinsing out shampoo, detergent or body wash bottles for recycling swish the water around the bottle but don't tip it out. Instead replace the cap and put the bottle near the loo. Squirt, and swish with the brush around the bowl for a fragrant, bubbly refresher between regular cleans. It takes only a few seconds before you're ready for royalty to use the throne and you've saved both water and the last drops of detergent. For best results with septic systems and to help the earth, use environmentally friendly products.
Contributed by Caroline C.,

​Drying off the Shower

​To stop mould in the shower I cut up old towels into big squares and we dry the glass, tiles and floor each time we shower, only takes a few minutes and a dry shower creates no mold to form. Cost is nil as old towels are reused.
Contributed by Angelika Spratling

Three Simple Ingredients will keep the Shower Clean

​As it sounds like mould you would be advised to use bicarb and white vinegar to clean it. Bleach will whiten surfaces but won't remove the mould - not only is it bad for the environment but also your health. Remove the mould by putting just a 1/4 teaspoon of Oil of Cloves (from Chemist) into a litre spray pack of water. Spray mould and leave overnight then wipe down with white vinegar. 
Contributed by Jules Buxton

Kill the Mould for an always Clean Shower

​The pink colour is mould starting and must be removed to prevent it growing into the grout. Use white vinegar and a brush to get it out. Spray the shower with white vinegar every so often and make sure the bathroom is well ventilated to help it dry out. Bleach does NOT kill mould in the grout. The other thing which kills mould spores is oil of cloves. Dilute about a teaspoon in 500mls of water and spray it on the grout or anywhere else the mould is appearing.
Contributed by Louise Drummond

Rinse after every Shower to make Cleaning a Breeze

​After each shower I use hot water only and give the shower a quick wash down this helps to stop the shower scum build up, every couple of weeks I use MOO Miracle Spray just spray on, wipe with a damp cloth and rinse with hot water I find that the showers come up sparkling clean and there is no need for scrubbing or the use of harsh chemicals.
Contributed by June Jackson

​This Gentle MOO Scouring Mix Cleans Showers

​I put 50% bicarb soda and 50% washing soda into a container then to use I get a damp cloth and dip it in the mix then wipe over the area, this is a fantastic gentle scouring mix that you can use all around the house. I have used it to get sticky tape off a wall without destroying the paint and even remove scuff marks of the floor.
Contributed by Kellie Ball

​Onions in the Shower!

I have two littlies and a gazillion bath toys. No matter how often they got aired or cleaned, they still ended up moldy or green (downright gross!). So, I happened to have bought a kg bag of onions in a mesh bag - which is perfect hung over the taps! Simply push each tap through a side of the onion bag (at the top of the bag), so it hangs between the two taps and then insert toys! Now packing up the toys after the bath isn't a hassle, more a game of basketball! No more yucky bath toys! -
​Contributed by Maxine Sharpe

​Cleaning Bath Tubs

Approximate $ Savings: $8 Instead of using expensive cleaners to get the soap and other marks from bathtubs just put in the plug, run some warm water into the tub and add half a scoop of laundry powder. All marks and soap scum come off with no effort or scrubbing, just use a cloth to wipe it all down and it will be shining like new. I also do this in my shower, using a soft broom for effortless cleaning of the tiles and glass. The laundry powder gets all the marks and residue off and doesn't leave streaks either. -
​Contributed by Karen Alston

​Better than a New Shower Curtain, Sterilized, Bright and Smells Great

Time to wash the shower curtain again after all of the holiday traffic. My curtain is a fabric one, white - I know! Bought many years ago...maybe 6 years ago. Usually I wash it in our 'washing gloop' which I swear by, then rinse with a bit of vinegar in that water. This time I used approximately 1 teaspoon+ of Listerne in the soaking water, skipped the washing, just hung it on the line. WOW! it is the whitest it has been in a while, smells fresh as a daisy and not a hint of anything but bright white even around the seams - sterilized anything that might be lurking there. 
​Contributed by Carol Ryan

​Shower Screens Clean

To prevent scum build up on shower screens, change to liquid soap only in the shower. The fat in hard soaps causes the build-up of scum. This tip saves much cleaning energy.
​- Contributed by Jenny Maring

​Spa Bath Cleaner

After moving into our lovely new house I couldn't wait to try out the spa bath in our main bathroom. After filling it up and dousing the water with very expensive bath products I'd received for my birthday I turned on the jets only to watch the water turn green with mould and dead bugs. Not very happy I can tell you! My friend gave me the tip though of once in a while filling the bath with cold water and placing a dish washer tablet or equal amount of powder into the bath and running it for 10 minutes. This has worked a treat and I only have to do it twice a year so it's not that expensive either in water or product. It also leaves the bath lovely an clean.
​- Contributed by Lisa Jackson

​Yet Another Use for Eucalyptus Oil

Coming into winter to help ward off or get rid of any colds, just splash a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the bottom of the shower. When the hot water hits the eucalyptus oil you have an instant vaporiser. You breathe in the steam and vapours and it helps clear your airways. When you have finished in the shower, give the floor a quick wipe over with your favourite cloth and the shower is cleaned as well. We all know there are many great uses for eucalyptus oil. It is a natural cleaning product. It is a great spot stain remover and cleans and deodorises, leaving a fresh natural fragrance. So your shower is clean and you and your family can stay well all for around $8 a bottle that will last you till next winter.
​- Contributed by Maria Smeal

​Bathroom Cleaning

​Just before I change our wet towels in the bathroom to fresh new towels, I use the wet towels to clean the bathroom sink and bench - the towels are going to be washed and sometimes a quick wipe down every couple of days will make the end of week bathroom clean a lot easier.
​- Contributed by Julia Leibinger

​Exfoliating Away the Grime

When I've finished using my exfoliating gloves instead of throwing them out, I use them to clean my bathroom and shower. It now takes me half the amount of time it use to as i can use both hands. Of course you don't have to stick to the bathroom, they come in useful when dusting and I've also found my dogs like it when I use them to wash them.
​- Contributed by Rachael Harney

​Wipe Down Shower

Approximate $ Savings: $5 per month
​
Wipe down the shower with a chamois. Not only do you save money on bleach and harmful products but you also save time from scrubbing and you will have a beautifully clean shower all month long.
​- Contributed by Sally, Kaleen

​My Bathroom Has Never Looked Better

In preparation for a visit by a large family I dug out the cheap microfibre cloths and kept one in each room as per a tip of a couple of newsletters ago. Don't think my bathroom has ever looked better, left it on a hook nearby and it would appear that another person was wiping over the tub etc. worked on all levels. As per tip I used another on my face and am pleased with the smooth, freshness it gives.. can see the logic to this.
​Contributed by Carol

​Two Simple Tools and Discipline Keep Shower Clean

After many years of trying all sorts of cleaning materials etc. I have found that a $2 white scourer with a handle, an old towel and discipline is all you need to keep your shower sparkling clean. Every Monday when I am in the shower I use the scourer on the tiles, shower base and glass. When I have finished I wipe it dry with an old towel. Our house rule is, the last one to shower each day, just wipes the tiles, base and glass dry with an old towel. This prevents the soap building up and makes Mondays effort quick and easy. No chemicals or hard scrubbing needed. How easy? As I am now in my 60s I'm all for making housework effortless.
​Contributed by Sylvia, Frankston

​In-cistern Blue Blocks Cause Rot

Approximate $ Savings: $100-$200 or more

We just had the plumber leave here and thought I would pass this on as we didn`t know and I`m sure others won`t as well. We used in-cistern blue as my partner liked the blue water in the toilet bowl. This has caused the plastic in the cistern rot and consequently to leak. We first noticed blue stained water around the base of the toilet, so called the plumber and this is what he told us. So, if you don`t want the expense of a plumber, stop using in-cistern blue blocks.
​- Contributed by Fay Edwards

​DIY Shower Sparkle

I have a hint to share for keeping the shower and bathroom tiles clean and shiny. It works the same way as Shower Sparkle in that after a shower, whilst the walls are still moist, you spray the shower and tiles and leave it. It takes a couple of times to work but it you do it daily, you never have to clean the shower again. The mix I use in a large spray bottle is slightly less than 1/4 cup of metho, 1 x tablespoon dishwashing detergent and the rest water. Adjust to the size of the bottle. I generally don't measure but have noted that when sprayed it should have a slight metho smell which goes after about 5 mins.
​-Contributed by Ruth, Pendle Hill

​Medicine Cabinet Inventory Saves Hundreds of Dollars

Last night, I could feel the inklings of a headache coming on, so I decided to reach for the Panadol before it took hold. When I pulled down the medicine box out of the cupboard, I decided I should check out the expiry date of the things in there and declutter all the old unused items whilst I was at it. To my horror, there were medicines in there which had expired as far back as 2007! There were unfinished prescription medicines that had been there for so long I didn't even know what they had been taken for in the first place. There were even quite a few medications which I had duplicates of, and they were all past their expiry date. As I started tossing these medicines into the bin, I thought about how much money had been wasted, buying unnecessary medicines, some of which had cost over $40! There was literally hundreds of dollars worth of now useless medicines clogging up my cupboard. I decided to write up a list of all the medications which we were left with and their expiry dates. I wrote this list into the notebook which I carry around with me in the nappy bag. This way, whenever we go to the doctors and are told to buy 'such and such', I can check the list before I head to the chemist and hand over my cash, and see whether we already have that medication at home. This list will also ensure that I can keep track of which staple medications (such as Nurofen, Panadol, Infant Panadol etc) are about to go out of date and need to be replaced. There is nothing worse than having a sick child in need of Panadol at 10pm on a Sunday night when there is no chemist open! So as you can see, taking 10 minutes to check the medicine cupboard at home will not only benefit your health, but also your bank balance!
​- Contributed by Kelly, Hoppers Crossing

​Shower Cleaning Trick

My shower cleaning trick works well. Dry the shower each time you use it with the bathmat. Every few times, polish the glass/tiles with an old nappy and there IS NO BUILD UP OF GRIME.I keep a flat topped scrubbing brush on the floor of the shower and start my day with some leg exercise by scrubbing the floor of the shower with the brush and avoid bending over. Shower may need the odd bit of bicarb/vinegar in the corners but not any major hassles!
​-Contributed by Jan Krzyston

​Clear Out Your Bathroom Clutter and Save

Approximate $ Savings: $15 - $30 or more per year
​ Is your bathroom cupboard overflowing with all those soaps, hand creams, and bottles of bubble bath you were given as Christmas presents, or all those cute little bottles you brought back from your holiday hotel? Save yourself some money and just start using them instead of "saving them up" for some special time. I haven't had to buy soap, hand cream or body wash (bubble bath works just the same) for the last three years - and just when it looks like I am getting low Christmas or my birthday rolls around again. If you are worried about how well they work for your skin then just alternate with your usual product.
​- Contributed by Karen, Punchbowl

​Same Cleaning Power for a Fraction of the Price

Approximate $ Savings: $25+

We all know that cleaning products blow out the weekly/monthly shopping budget. As a cheap alternative to the $5-$6 500ml bathroom spray bottles that remove mould and bathroom gunk, I buy a 2.5 litre bottle of White King (or other bleach) for about $3. I pour some into a reusable spray bottle, following the dilution instructions on the bottle, and then dilute with water. I use this for all bathroom cleaning. This saves a fortune on bathroom cleaning products, but still gives that clean, germ free sparkle that you can only get from bleach! I just keep refilling until I'm out of White King, which seemingly lasts for ever!
​- Contributed by Sam, Parkville

​Use Paint Brush to Clean Shower

Use a cheap paint brush, with a long handle, to save your back, to clean crevices around shower doors and corners. Keep near shower so you can clean at the end of your shower.
​-Contributed by Robyn, Swan Hill

​Coke Is a Real Stain Lifter

When I moved into my home the toilet had a really horrible dark brown stain in the bottom which I think an atomic bomb would not move. I tried everything, then read somewhere that a bottle of Coke poured into the toilet bowl and left to sit for a while would do the trick. It did, the stain came off without any problem. Imagine what Coke is doing to one's insides lol.
​- Contributed by Hazel K

​Use Shower Gel and Avoid Soap Scum on Showerscreens

If you use either shower gel or your favourite liquid soap in the shower instead of soap, you do not get soap scum on the tiles or shower floor/glass door, which means the shower doesn't need to be scrubbed as much if at all. Just a wipe over each day and it is clean.
​- Contributed by Patricia, Rockhampton

Brilliant Clean

My best combination for toilet cleaning (though not completely chemical free) is:
Half a scoop of Napisan,
Half a scoop of bicarb soda,
Half a scoop of vinegar.
I try to shake the powders around the bowl a little too, and then spray with water vinegar mix. The plain vinegar goes straight in the bottom of the loo though. I put some in the other day and then forgot (:o)) only to come back later and think someone had scrubbed for me, but they hadn't. If the toilet has old stains, it may take a while, but they seem to come off a little better each time. If the toilet is in fairly good nic, then I just do bicarb and vinegar.
​Contributed by Cathi P.

​Simple Shower Scrub

Approximate $ Savings: 22cents to start with, $5.22 there after

Being a self-confessed lazy cleaner I'm always thinking outside the square when trying to cut corners to get the cleaning done. During a recent shower I was looking down at the loofah thinking about using it to give my body a bit of a scrub- but I instead I had a revelation- why not use it to scrub the tiles and the shower door? After spraying the tiles with my trusty vinegar and Eucalyptus oil solution, I gave the tiles a gentle scrub with the loofah- hey presto- the soap-scum came off without any real dramas. In the recent past I've been buying Chux Magic Erasers for cleaning the bathroom, because they do work like magic- but they tend to be break away in your hands when you're scrubbing bathroom tiles. So instead of forking out $5.22 for a 2pk of Magic Erasers, I think I will stick with my loofah from now on which from memory cost only $5. As a bonus the loofah also cut my cleaning time down in half and is fairly durable so can be used time after time- so that's where my real savings will come from.
​- Contributed by Natasha, Broadmeadows

​Shiny Bathroom Tiles

Put a few drops of Earth Choice pure eucalyptus clean for Wool & Delicates in the bathroom basin or kitchen sink, in warm water. Squeeze out a sponge and wipe over all the tiles on the walls. They will be so shiny, you won't believe it. Also the basin will look like new as well.
​-Contributed by Anthea, Bentley

​Squash the Roll

In a house full of girls (or little children) who use too much toilet paper, squash the roll before putting it on the holder - just enough so that the cardboard gets caught on the way around. This avoids having half the roll all over the floor or wasted if someone is over enthusiastic with pulling the roll.
​- Contributed by Casey, Bendigo

​Bore Water Stains Be Gone!

We use bore water in our house and always get a lovely green stain. To remove it quite easily, I use straight bicarb soda. I sprinkle it onto the green stain (usually in the shower or basin), wet it a little and then rub it with a scrubbing brush or a cheap shower body scrubber (the ones you can buy in the cheapy shops for $2 for 3). It does take a little effort, but if you do it regularly before it goes too green it is easier. Another good product I use is Gumption. It is great on any stains and takes little effort.
​- Contributed by Sue, Bundaberg

​Septic Food

There was a hint for septics. The one we use gives the bugs a good feed and we have no problems with ours. Add 1 kilo of raw sugar to two litres boiling water and stir until dissolved. Allow to cool and add 1 pkt yeast (about 1 tablespoon full) and mix in the yeast till bubbly, tip down the toilet and flush. We do this twice a year and have never had any problems with it.
​- Contributed by Robyne, Goolwa

​Easy Action Mould Cleaner

I have found the mould removes from shower tiles and grouting easily and effortlessly and quickly when you use a damp cloth and ENZYME washing powder, or additive such as Oxyaction Vanish or Napisan. No harsh smells and the grouting is left white again. Just rinse off with clean water.
​- Contributed by Rita, Bentleigh East

​It's Not Just for Pools and Spas

For mould use a diluted mix of liquid pool chlorine and water. One part chlorine to ten of water. Also if you clean your walls with it using a large flat mop, (commercial style) it will keep spiders from building webs. Great for spring cleaning inside and out. It also works on bathroom tiles. No need to rinse. Don't use rubber gloves, they will melt. For the few minutes you have your hands in the mix, if they feel irritated, rinse your hands with lots and lots of water and try some white vinegar on your hands to neutralize the chemical effect. Also to stop windows fogging up you could try using shaving cream on the glass, then wipe off.
​- Contributed by Carl & Sue

​Paint for a New Look

We had old looking tiles in kitchen so we painted them. Because we wanted them all white, we just painted over the grout as well. Everyone has been commenting on our 'new' tiles. Easier to clean as well because the grout is painted, the grout can't get yukky or crack and fall out. It did not cost much to get the tile paint from the hardware store but we've saved in cleaning products but it's easier and cheaper to clean.
​- Contributed by Rachel, Rivervale

​An Old Fashioned Method Works a Treat

Old fashioned Borax works a treat for brightening old, dull tiles. Only just discovered it myself. I won't use potent chemicals in my house, but Borax isn't too bad. Just use an old toothbrush to scrub a paste of Borax and water onto the grout and onto the tiles after the last shower for the day. Leave overnight and give a bit of a scrub and a rinse the next day. When the grout has dried you won't believe how much cleaner it will look.
​- Contributed by Susan, Monthrose

​It's Not Just for Hair

Use some cheap shampoo to clean scum off shower and bathroom tiles. It will take a couple of scrubs but shampoo is the best tile cleaner!!! And at $2 for a large bottle (Reject Shop, Aldi, The Warehouse) it is a bargain!
​- Contributed by Miki, West Pennant Hills

​An Old Fashioned Fizzy Cleaner Makes Shower Cleaning Easy

To clean shower tiles easily you sprinkle bi-carb on the tiles, then spray some vinegar. For bad stains, leave it to soak for a while. Then you will possibly need to scrub, then wipe away. Sometimes it takes a couple of applications to be the most effective. For vertical tiles, make a paste of bi-carb and water, leave for a while then spray with vinegar and scrub/wipe down. As the water is an issue, for rinsing or washing them, buy the demineralised water available in the cleaning aisle from the supermarket (very cheap). If they're white, there's a product called Chlordet you can buy from a bulk cleaning outlet, which works like magic on grease and grime - but you must wear gloves, and follow the dilution instructions carefully. If you don't like chemicals, lemon juice is a natural bleach. Hope this helps.
​- Contributed by Marita, Carrum Downs

​Bam and the Jobs Done

The best way to clean tiles is with a commercial product called Bam. We shifted to our current house which had been occupied by a bachelor for years, and to say the tiles were dirty would be an understatement. Bam cleaned years of accumulated filth in one go. Another option is to paint the tiles. There is a product you can use to prepare the tiles, then you can paint them any colour you like, or use tile paint.
​- Contributed by Beverley, Clunes

​Bi-Carb, Vinegar and Car Polish

​Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda onto surface and spray with vinegar. On upright surfaces, I found that making a solution of bicarbonate of soda with vinegar (use a large tub as the bubbles may cause a flood!) and rubbing it on the tiles and grouting works just as well. Once the tiles and grouting are clean - rub all the tiles and grouting with car polish. Leave it on as per the instructions on the bottle, then rub off to a beautiful shine! You will not need to clean your shower or tiled areas for a good while after!
​- Contributed by Trish, Donvale

Kinder Cleaning Ingredients

Try making a paste up using bi-carb and white vinegar. It will fizz and bubble, but a paste will form. Wipe it over the tiles, leave it to dry, then polish it off. It may need a few attempts if the tiles are badly stained and you may even need to engage the use of a scrubbing brush. Using bi-carb and white vinegar as a general cleaner in the bathroom, laundry and kitchen is much cheaper than commercial cleaners, every bit as effective and much kinder to the environment.
​- Contributed by Trudy, Blackwood

​Getting Back to Simple Cleaning Solutions

I'm trying to eliminate chemical based cleaning products in my house, to protect my health and the environment, and also my wallet. I have found that bicarb soda cleans EVERYTHING. I used it on a badly stained tea cup last week, just rubbed it into the stains with my fingers, and it came up as clean as new, not a stain in sight. If your tiles are ceramic or a similar material I think bicarb would probably work as well. And you don't need much, and it's pretty cheap and lasts ages, and has plenty of other uses.
​- Contributed by Robyn, Ballarat

​Easy to Make Spray Cleaner

Sugar soap concentrate,2 tablespoons in an old empty spay bottle (cleaned and rinsed of any other chemicals)add water to fill bottle attach sprayer. Use on all your kitchen, laundry, bath, shower tiles splashbacks, stainless steel sinks and basins come up very shiny and new looking without using any abrasives and chalky residues. Always write on the spray bottle the contents and what it can be used for, in the kitchen areas, don't use while preparing any open food, as sugar soap is alkaline and will cause food to taste funny. Great for cleaning toilets, bathrooms, showers and baths, laundry tubs, washing machines, dishwashers, fridges, rangehoods etc. Always trial on a small area first. Do not mix up any stronger as it may remove some of your skin as well, use with rubber gloves if you like.
​- Contributed by Peter, Stafford

​Easy Scrub for Shower Tiles

I've found over the years the easiest and cheapest way to keep bathroom/shower tiles clean is to use a generic brand of soap filled steel wool pads without water. Plus elbow grease -- then rinse off. It always works for me.
- Contributed by SereneBee, East Victoria Park

​$2 Glove is a Great Grime Buster

Don't use shop bought cleansers in your bathroom any more. Just a loofah mitt or glove from a $2 shop will do the trick and in half the time! Using a hose that attaches to the bath tap (also from the $2 shop) wet the bath and then rub the loofah glove over the bath rinsing with hose as you go, the grime will come off with the greatest of ease and the bath will be spotless in less than one minute. Use in the shower or hand basin too. Then just chuck the glove in the washing machine along with your dirty washing to clean.
​- Contributed by Sharene, Blackburn North

​Sparkly, Shiny Bath

​Approximate $ Savings: $10 a week

Having an odd shaped bathroom, the only bath that would fit in there is a corner bath. But cleaning it is a royal pain. A bathroom renovation company employee told me to go buy the cheapest car polish I could find and use that. It brings the bath up a treat, and is so easy to use. Not only that but it leaves a thin coating on the bath itself that stops grime build-up and makes it easier to clean next time.
​- Contributed by Lisa, Wheelers Hill

NOTE: Please be very careful with the polish and make sure you don't get it on the base of the bath: it will be very, very slippery and could lead to falls and serious injury if you do!

​Forget About Expensive Shower Cleanersd

Approximate $ Savings: $100+ per year

Just buy a $2 blade scraper from your nearest discount or hardware store and simply scrape the goo off your tiles. You won't believe the amount of gunk that simply and easily drops off (even if you have recently 'cleaned' your shower with these so called cleaners). The results are amazing and will save you loads on dangerous chemicals as well as helping the environment. You can even do it while you shower it's so easy.
​- Contributed by Sonia, Bass Hill

​Another Use for Steradent

Approximate $ Savings: Potentially hundreds of dollars

​ After reading that denture cleaner products are a great toilet cleaners in the Cheapskates book I decided to pop a couple of Polident tablets down the shower drain which had been blocked for some time. I figured it was worth giving a go since it made the toilet sparkle and I didn't fancy getting a plumber to come out and take a look. I had already tried to unblock the drain with bi carb, vinegar and hot water, which was unsuccessful. I allowed the tablets approx. 1hr to do their thing in the drain before I gave it a flush with hot water. I haven't had a problem with the shower drain backing up since.
- Contributed by Natasha, Broadmeadows

​Toilet Duck on the Job

I have one of those liquid Duck toilet cleaners I bought reduced for quick sale. When the liquid ran out I just kept on refilling it with the toilet cleaner I bought on special. It may not smell as strong to deodorise the toilet but it helps keep the stains from occurring at a cheaper cost. For a lasting fragrance in the toilet a broken or decorative terracotta pot with an el cheapo fragrant oil will keep it smelling how you like it. Just add a couple of drips when needed.
​- Contributed by Narelle, Berserker

​Keeping the Basin Clean

Approximate $ Savings: $5.00 I have children who spit toothpaste in the sink and leave it here to harden or squeeze out too much and leave it somewhere on the sink. So each morning I quickly run a face washer spreading the toothpaste which acts like a substitute for Jif and has the basin clean in no time. Works for us, keeps our sink brilliantly clean and is a useful tip for wasted toothpaste.
​- Contributed by Mary, Riverhills

​Hold the Shower

Install a hand held shower head. It makes cleaning/rinsing down the shower base and walls much quicker and easier. Also you'll use less water compared to when using a bucket or similar. If possible, make sure that the shower hose is connected at the same hight as the taps (approximately 90cm off the ground) and not above your head - this way even a short hose will reach into every corner of the shower.
​- Contributed by Elisa, Butler

​Newspaper - More Than Just the Morning News

To get rid of soap scum on the shower screen/door use newspaper to rub jiff on the surface then use another piece of newspaper that has been dampened to clean off the cleaner. The newspaper is hard enough to scrub off the soap scum but not so hard that it scratches the screen. This method keeps the shower free of scum and even saves water as you only need to use a little water .
​- Contributed by Angela, Burpengary

​Half and Half Cleans the Shower

Put 1/2 water and 1/2 white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it on the shower doors - comes up beautifully, cuts through soap residue and leaves a nice shine and no chemicals !!
​- Contributed by Kellie, Maroubra

​To Clean Tiles and Grout

Try sprinkling them with Bicarb soda and then white vinegar. Do a section at a time and give it a good scrub, then follow up with a mop. The soda and vinegar bubble when they are put together creating a great active cleaner. Good luck with it.
​- Contributed by Jane, West End

​Shiny Bathroom Sinks

​To keep your bathroom sink clean and tidy clean it every time you wash your hands. When you notice a little build up of dirt simply wipe it down with the soap you all ready have on your hands. Rinse it while you are rinsing your hands and dry it off with a towel when you dry your hands. Don't worry about the towel because you know the area you wiped it with is clean, you just cleaned it!

​Refilling Toilet Bowl Cleaners

This tip is about the toilet bowl cleaner/fresheners that hook inside of the toilet bowl. Once the liquid is all used up, just refill it with toilet bowl cleaner. You can use it over and over again, and it cleans and deodorizes the bowl each time you flush.

​The Pro's Advice on Cleaning

​I have a very dear friend who is in the professional cleaning business and years ago she gave me a tip that is tried and true. For cleaning bathtubs, basins and showers, use shampoo! I tried this and it works wonders. Those rings around the tub are "gone instantly." Think about it. If it cuts oil and dirt from your hair, why wouldn't it cut the body oils that are left in your tub? I buy the large 1 litre size ‘no frills bottle of shampoo from Not Quite Right to use in the bathrooms it s only $1.99 and lasts for months. A bonus is the sweet smelling bathroom.

​Take Those Used Dryer Sheets to the Bathroom

​Instead of taking a pickaxe to the shower doors, trying to get soap scum off the glass, simply use "used" dryer sheets! They work perfectly with almost no effort

​Toilet Bowls

​For a sparkling clean loo add 1-cup vinegar and let sit overnight. Scrub and flush! Or: add 1 Tbsp of household ammonia. Let it sit overnight. Scrub and flush!

​Clean Drains

​To help dissolve scum and hair in sluggish bathroom basin and bath drains, pour a mixture of 1-cup salt, 1-cup bicarb soda and ½ cup white vinegar into the drain. Then let stand for 15 minutes and flush with 4 litres boiling water followed by flushing hot tap water down the drain for 1 minute. You can repeat this process if necessary. Hint: Salt will keep small roots from taking up residence in your pipes.

​A Clean Bathtub

​Clean the bathtub right after using it, before body oil has a chance to harden. You can even start the cleaning while you are in the tub. Don t use slippery cleanser while you are in the tub, though. A small amount of bubble bath in the water helps to keep the tub clean, too.

Polished Tiles

​You can use a wax like Turtle Wax to polish and wax bathrooms fixtures and tiles (not the inside of the tub or the shower base or the floor area, please). Just be sure that the wax does not make any area in the bathroom slippery. The wax will make your daily cleaning much easier and your tiles and fixtures will always look good.