How To: De-Gross Your Bathroom

When I think of my bathroom I usually think of it as a place where I scrub up, primp, and occasionally examine my pores.  What I don’t think about is all the gross stuff that goes on in there.  Let me fill you in.

How many of you close the lid when you flush (don’t blush) the toilet?  If you’re not doing it, you might want to start now.  Every time you flush, an invisible cloud of water droplets forms and travels six to eight feet in the air, spreading bacteria on your walls, counters, sinks, etc.  Yeah, gross (it might be a good idea to throw out that toothbrush).  It gets worse, stick with me.  Not only does this cloud contaminate your bathroom, it sticks around for two whole hours…if you’re sticking around too, then you’re breathing in the germs.  Y-U-C-K.

What else should you be doing?  Read on to find out.

Loofah:  Whether it’s a natural sponge or one of those plastic mesh sponges, you need to be washing it at least once a week in the dishwasher or washing machine (natural loofahs should only be washed in a dishwasher).  Loofahs and mesh sponges both carry bacteria, which can easily infect you via an open cut or even acne!  Natural loofahs should be thrown out every few weeks; mesh sponges are more resistant to bacteria and can last up to eight weeks.

Disposable Razor:  Toss after three uses.  Not only will the blade likely nick you, but razors get clogged up with dead skin cells that will can then grow bacteria which can cause skin irritations and infections. 

 Mascara:  Did you know that you should not use your mascara past three months?  Mascara is a breeding ground for bacteria and can cause Pink Eye and styes, not the look you’re probably going for.  Also, forget about buying mascara in bulk.  The shelf life for mascara is only three months.

Towels:  You might think you have a handle on this one if you wash your towels once a week, but you’d be wrong.  The average person sloughs off 1 million skin cells an hour and bath towels harbor those cells and their bacteria.  Add a damp towel folded and flung over a towel bar and you’ve just created your very own petri dish.  Towels should be changed and washed every 3 days and when in use should be hung and unfolded to air dry.  And when it comes to towels, get your own…it’s gross to share.

Shower Head:  Yes, your shower head and this one is extra gross.  New studies are showing that potentially disease-causing germs can get trapped inside shower heads causing biofilm to grow…biofilm is basically slime which gets blasted over your head while you’re taking your morning shower.  While gross, most of these germs won’t harm people with strong immune systems.  If you’re like me, you might be grossed out by the thought of slimy bacteria hitting the top of your head and the air around you.  One change you can make is to switch your shower head to a metal or stainless steel version if you currently have a plastic shower head; they are less likely to grow bacteria.  You finally have an excuse to buy that rainshower shower head.

Hopefully this post hasn’t grossed you out or depressed you too much.  Just remember to keep your primp pad in tip top shape by doing simple things like washing your hands often, cleaning the sink/shower/toilet regularly, washing makeup brushes, tossing old makeup and staying on top of things I mentioned up top.  And if you have a man in your life, double sinks are good…separate bathrooms are better.