Today I’m going to tell you about a free way to clean your bathroom and get rid of some clutter. Open up your linen closet, the under the bathroom sink cabinet or wherever you store your lotions and potions. Take a good look around. Chances are you have a valuable bathroom cleaning source right there, for free.
You see, I have been on a mission to keep my bath-and-a-half absolutely spotless. This is far from easy with a husband and three kids, but the effort is worth it, I think. I have found that spending a few minutes every day cleaning the bathrooms is actually less work than waiting until the dirt builds up. Especially with a five-year-old boy. The downside of all of this daily quick cleaning is that I am going through cleaner the same way my kids go through whole milk. Bathroom cleaner is very expensive–more expensive by the gallon than gas.
The expense was weighing on my mind the other night while I gave my daughter her bath. Suddenly it occurred to me! I have plenty of inexpensive cleaner practically at my fingertips.
I’m talking about all of those half-empty bottles of shampoo just sitting around. Are you like me? Maybe that shampoo was on sale, maybe you brands that worked great for a friend but then found out they just weren’t what you wanted. You can’t throw them away, because that would be waste, right?
Well, here is a sneaky way to use them up, saving money and clearing some valuable space. Use them to clean the bathroom! That is right. Shampoos are specially formulated to remove the oil and grease from your hair, and they do a great job on tub and tile. Don’t believe me? Go ahead, pour a dime-sized bit inside the toilet and use your brush to swirl it around. It cleans the bowl right up. Try filling the sink with warm water and another dime-sized drop of shampoo. Dip a sponge in the solution, and you will be amazed at how it cleans all of the tub, tile and shower surfaces in your bathroom. Baby shampoo works especially well.
Another benefit to using your old shampoos instead of those caustic chemical cleaners is smell. Fill your bathroom with the scents of lavender, roses, vanilla, spring breezes or whatever scents you have. They are gentle on your hands, too, so there is no need for gloves. I was shocked the other day when I read the label on my standard bathroom cleaner and learned that it was toxic and shouldn’t come in contact with skin. To be honest with you, i had been using that cleaner without wearing gloves for years!
I’ll tell you another secret. I actually prefer cleaning with shampoo, and it costs much less, too, especially if you buy it in bulk or at the dollar stores. Happy cleaning.
And for more great ideas about shampoo, check out: Stockpiled Shampoo? Here’s What To Do With It!