It’s a strange thought that the process of cleaning yourself essentially makes a place dirty, usually this is reserved for places like your dishwasher or washer and dryer.

Since the bathroom is something you see and use every day it's easy to start looking past the soap scum and dirt that's been accumulating over time. Use these rental living tips and tricks to bring your bathroom back to its former glory.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve done a thorough cleaning of your bathtub you should probably schedule a few hours to tackle the task of getting all the soap scum, mildew, rust stains, and any other build-up that has occurred since the last time you cleaned your tub. There are a variety of cleaners you can choose from when it comes to cleaning out your tub.

Option #1: If you feel the need to get on your hands and knees and clean the tub, you can purchase an all-purpose cleaner from your local store that will tackle the soap scum.

If you don’t feel like using an all-purpose cleaner you can make your own by creating a mixture of vinegar and water to spray over baking soda. Once you've sprinkled the baking soda around the tub, sprayed your mixture, and let it set for awhile, then you can get to scrubbing away.

For your bathtub you can also use this cleaner that allows you to keep your walls and tub cleaner longer.

#1 of Rental Living Tips: This option of scrubbing on your hands and knees is not only a killer of all soap scum and other deposits it’s also a killer of stress. If you're having a really stressful day or need to get some anger out we suggest you use this option as it will kill two birds with one (squeaky clean) stone.

Option #2: If the idea of being on your hands and knees doesn’t appeal to you then this is the next best way to clean your bathtub. The power of Dawn dish soap and a broom with plastic bristles will work wonders. Not only will the dish soap get rid of all the grease in and around your tub, the broom will allow you to scrub while standing.

Cleaning the Toilet

This may be the most neglected, but very necessary task. Just like with cleaning your tub, you have options when it comes to getting rid of all the nasty build-up on your toilet. 

Option #1: You can use the Comet and scrub sponge technique with a classic pair of yellow rubber gloves. This option requires you to use quite a bit of elbow grease to get underneath the lip of the toilet bowl. Just sprinkle the Comet all around the bowl and get to scrubbing.

Option #2: Purchase a toilet brush and some toilet bowl cleaner from your local store. Spray on the cleaner and let it sit for awhile so that it has time to break down all the gunk. Then use your brush to scrub away and flush. 

If you discover that your cleaner isn’t cleaning the rust ring at the bottom of your toilet you can take a pumice stone and scrub it until it goes away. Best to do this task while wearing rubber gloves as a pumice stone is also a recommended way to get rid of the nasty dry/cracked skin on the heels of your feet (you don't want to ruin your baby smooth hands). 

#2 of Rental Living Tips: Want to do a cool science experiment while you clean? Purchase a bottle or can of Coca-Cola and pour it into your toilet bowl until it is completely full then let it sit for about an hour. The acid in the soda will eat away at the stains in your toilet bowl. Afterwards all you need to do is scrub the excess away with a toilet brush and flush! 

For the outside of the toilet you can find an all-purpose cleaner that will help clean up all those fluids that didn’t make it into the bowl, and wipe away the hair and dust that coats the top, rim, and bottom after awhile.

Maintaining Your Bathtub and Toilet

When it comes to cleaning it's always best to do a little bit all the time then letting everything build up for a year just to spend a few days scrubbing.  

#3 of Rental Living Tips: The trick is to use the cleaner when you're finished with your shower or after a bath. Since you’re already there, why not clean up a little when you’re done?

While there isn’t a specific cleaner that will keep your toilet cleaner longer we suggest cleaning it once a week. This allows the process to go quicker because there isn’t as much build up.

If you don't want to spend days on end cleaning your rental, it's best to complete a deep clean around every 3 or 4 months (the end of each season). The bathroom is only one of the places that requires a good clean on a regular basis. To help you out with the other places that need a good clean each season we have this handy-dandy Seasonal Deep Cleaning Checklist. Download now and keep your rental looking good as new in time for the new season!