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Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
6 Things That Are Actually Making Your Bathroom Look Grosser Than It Is, Cleaners Say
Key Points Bathrooms that appear dirty may need replacements or repairs more than a deep clean. Replacing old lighting fixtures and foggy mirrors can help your bathroom appear clean. If your bathroom looks gross, it may be time to fix the caulking or is somewhat ironic that bathrooms, a space meant for cleaning, are a challenge to keep tidy. As many times as we wipe down the bathroom sink and squeegee the shower doors, sometimes bathrooms can seem constantly dirty. However, in many cases, the areas of our bathrooms that need a little attention are the ones we are quick to overlook. We spoke with two cleaning professionals to discover common things that make bathrooms appear dirtier than they actually are, as well as solutions to help you finally make your bathroom look the Expert Sofia Martinez is the founder and CEO at Sparkly Maid Austin. Farook Member is the director at QS Lighting It's common knowledge that lighting has a massive impact on the design of a room, but our experts say it can also make or break the appearance of cleanliness. "Outdated or dirty fixtures can cast mottled light that warps shadows and emphasizes imperfections, even on clean surfaces," says Farook Member, a bathroom design expert and the director at QS Supplies. If your budget allows, replace your outdated bathroom lighting with modern fixtures. If you're looking for a more affordable way to spruce up the space, Member says swapping out your current bulbs with a warmer LED option (specifically around 2700K) will help your bathroom feel like a spa. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more! Discolored or Cracked Caulking Even after a deep clean, sometimes bathtubs still appear dirty. According to Sofia Martinez, the founder and CEO at Sparkly Maid Austin, one of the most common explanations for this issue isn't actually the tub itself, but the caulking around it. "Once the caulking starts to yellow or crack, it can give the impression of dirt and negligence," she says. Fortunately, repairing old caulking is easier than you might expect. Martinez suggests using a plastic scraping tool to remove the old caulking, then wiping the area with rubbing alcohol to get rid of residue. Once the surface has dried, apply a new bead of mold-resistant silicone caulk, smoothing it to finish with a wet finger or the caulk tool. Don't forget to let the caulk cure for at least 24 hours before using the area. Grimy Light Switch Plates and Door Handles When it's time to clean the bathroom, we're quick to check off tasks like wiping down countertops and cleaning the toilet bowl. However, many of us forget to clean high-touch areas like light switches and door handles. Unfortunately, even the cleanest bathroom will still appear dirty if these areas are neglected. "High-touch areas like these accumulate fingerprints, makeup, and soap scum, and since they don't fall into a regular cleaning routine, they have a tendency to get overlooked," says Member. "Replacing old switch plates or even just wiping them down with a magic eraser takes under a minute and makes the room look newer and better maintained." Hard Water Buildup Cloudy hard water stains on your faucets and fixtures are a direct result of high mineral content in the water. While that explanation may not sound gross, mineral deposits can make your bathroom appear unclean. If you're struggling to get rid of pesky hard water buildup, Martinez has a easy, natural solution. "Soak a couple of paper towels or cotton rounds in white vinegar and place them directly onto the deposits," says Martinez. "Leave them for around 30 minutes, then, using a soft toothbrush, scrub away the deposits with some baking soda." Don't forget to rinse away the remaining vinegar and residue and dry thoroughly to prevent more mineral deposits from accumulating. Stained or Uneven Grout Like caulking, grout is another material that can become stained or cracked over time. It's not technically "dirty," but it certainly spoils the clean aesthetic. "Grout is one of those stealthy saboteurs," says Member. "It can be immaculately clean and yet make tile appear dirty if the lines are uneven, cracked, or patchy in color." For renters, Member says a simple grout pen is a cheap solution for whitening faded spots, but for homeowners, he recommends regrouting areas that get a lot of traffic, such as the shower floor, every few years. Old, Foggy Mirrors While you can certainly clean fingerprints and toothpaste splatter off of your bathroom mirror, older mirrors may become distorted, chipped, or splotchy as they age. As a result, the whole room may appear dim and foggy. A DIY glass cleaner can help, but if you're still struggling to achieve the level of cleanliness you want, you can frame out the mirror with stick-on molding or replace the mirror entirely. Minor improvements made to a mirror reflect across the whole bathroom, making the space feel lighter and larger. Read the original article on The Spruce
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Two Days Down The Drain: Americans Spend 49 Hours A Year Using Phones In The Bathroom
Americans spend an average of 49 hours annually using their phones on the toilet, equivalent to over two full days. A study by QS Supplies, a bathroom supplies company, has prompted doctors to warn of both hygiene and physical health concerns relating to cellphone usage while in the restroom. Gen Z spends 54 hours per year on social media, with 66% scrolling, 40% streaming videos, 37% responding to messages, and 2% taking video calls from the bathroom. Over 61% admitted to lingering on the toilet to finish a task, while 42% use it as a deliberate escape from others, and 51% seek alone time. 'The data shows just how far social media, especially apps like TikTok, have pervaded even our most personal moments,' Farook Member, director of QS Supplies, told the New York Post. Only 25% of people clean their phones after using the bathroom, with Baby Boomers being the least likely to do so. Doctors warn that phones can harbor over 20 times more bacteria than toilet seats, potentially causing colds, flu, and gastrointestinal illnesses. Prolonged sitting, dubbed 'toilet scrolling,' also increases the risk of hemorrhoids—swollen veins in the anus and rectum causing pain, itching, and bleeding—due to extended time on the toilet. Gastroenterologists recommend limiting bathroom phone use to 10-15 minutes and wiping phones daily with disinfectant or alcohol-based solutions to prevent health issues.
