‘I clean bathrooms for a living – here’s one method that actually works’

With cleaning hacks constantly going viral on social media it can be difficult to know which ones will be helpful and which could turn out harmful. This is especially true in the bathroom, where you may end up using a mixture of different products and chemicals.

With this in mind, Plumbworld have partnered with professional cleaner Sarah Jennings to separate the facts from fiction when it comes to cleaning your bathroom. And after a decade scrubbing everything from everyday family bathrooms to high-end hotel suites, Sarah is now sharing the one game-changing trick she swears by. She promises that will make cleaning easier, save time and leave your bathroom fresher for longer. 

Sarah says that the biggest mistake people make when cleaning their bathrooms is rushing through the job and using too many products when they should really be letting the product do the job for them.

She said: “Most people spray and wipe straight away, but bathroom grime needs time to break down. Spray your surfaces—sink, toilet, shower, tiles—then walk away for 10 minutes.

“This gives the cleaner time to dissolve soap scum, limescale, and bacteria before you even start scrubbing.”

Sarah has also warned against one cleaning hack that you’ve likely seen all over the place – mixing baking soda and vinegar.

Slamming this method, she said: “It creates a fizz, which looks like it’s doing something, but the two ingredients cancel each other out, leaving you with salty water.” Instead, they should be used separately – vinegar for limescale and baking soda for odours.

And Sarah’s tips don’t stop there, she’s shared a number of other ways you can get your bathroom looking sparkling in no time.

Expert Tips for a Spotless Bathroom

• Ditch harsh chemicals such as bleach, as they can damage surfaces and create toxic fumes. Instead, opt for a mix of white vinegar and dish soap for a powerful, non-toxic clean.
• To tackle limescale on taps, soak a cloth in white vinegar, wrap it around the affected area, and leave it for 30 minutes before wiping it away.
• Drop a dishwasher tablet into the bowl and let it sit overnight. By morning, a quick scrub will effortlessly remove stains.
• Leave your shower door open for 20 minutes after use – closing it immediately can traps moisture and lead to mould and musty smells.
• Paper towels and sponges spread dirt around, so use microfibre cloths instead, as these will trap bacteria and leave surfaces streak-free.