Seven bathroom cleaning hacks using two natural ingredients

You probably know that white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda have long been used as domestic cleaning products, but you might not realise just how useful they are - in fact, there's almost no bathroom cleaning task that can't be accomplished with these two cheap store cupboard staples!

And with eco-conscious consumers looking to cut down on harsh chemicals in favour of more natural products in the home, more and more of us are embracing the traditional tricks for making your bathroom shine.

The experts at bathroom specialist Drench.co.uk have shared their tips for how to clean your whole bathroom using white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda (also known as baking soda). You can even use it to clean bath toys!

So if you fancy giving your bathroom a deep clean this weekend, but don't fancy splashing out on a dozen different bathroom cleaner sprays, read on for a seven-point plan of action!

Clean the toilet

A grimy toilet bowl is probably the most unwelcome sight for any visitor in your bathroom - and it's not exactly lovely for you, either! Luckily, you can shift any lingering stains with our magic combo.

• Pour around 250ml of white vinegar into the bowl and swish it around with a toilet brush, before letting it sit for one minute.
• Next add, around 120g of bicarbonate of soda to the toilet bowl, before 250ml of white vinegar. This will create a fizzing action. Let the solution sit for about 10 minutes.
• Use a toilet brush to swish the solution around the bowl, before leaving it for a further 30 minutes.
• Keep swishing until the stain is removed and then flush the toilet

Get rid of black mould in the shower

Mould commonly thrives in the shower because of the humidity and excess water but, thankfully, it is easy to get rid of with a few basic cleaning supplies.

• Mix white vinegar straight into a spray bottle. It doesn’t need to be diluted as it is the most effective when it isn’t watered down.
• Next, open a window as, unfortunately, this job will leave an unpleasant smell, but it will clear within 1-2 hours if you leave the window open.
• Then spray the vinegar all over the area you wish to clean, coating it completely.
• Next, fold a cleaning cloth into quarters and wipe the area; the mould should wipe easily onto the cloth. Keep repeating, and potentially switch cloths if the one you are using gets too dirty.
• If you have a really stubborn stain, scrub vigorously or use an old toothbrush.
• After you have removed the mould, dry the cleaned area with a cleaning cloth.

Clean your shower glass

As well as looking unsightly, did you know that excess water on your shower glass can cause bacteria, mould and mildew to flourish? But once again, a simple water-vinegar mixture can sort the problem in a moment. You can also use this mixture as a general solution to clean your bathroom tiles and get your taps shining.

• Start by mixing one part white vinegar to one part hot water as your cleaning ‘product’ and spray onto the glass
• If the solution doesn’t shift the marks and stains after the first application, increase the amount of vinegar mixed with the water, and this should do the trick.
• Rinse in fresh water and then dry with a microfibre cloth
• To minimise excess water in the future, pick up a squeegee, an invaluable tool for the fight against scum and stains on your shower doors

Unblock the shower drain

Hair and bathing products that build up around the plughole can block your shower drain. A serious blockage can result in a costly visit from the plumber, so nip any clogs in the bud with a simple homemade remedy you can prepare in seconds.

• To unblock, simply boil some water and pour it down the hole alongside some baking soda, and further hot water. Repeat if necessary

Clean your bathtub

There’s nothing like a long, leisurely soak in a bubble bath to soothe away the stresses of your day. However, a leisurely bath quickly loses its charm if the tub is developing soap scum, mildew or grime.

When cleaning your bathtub, you can forgo any fancy bathroom products and, instead, opt for full strength white vinegar for a cheaper (but still clean) alternative.

• First, fill a spray bottle with one part white vinegar and one part warm water.
• Spray the bathtub all over and leave the solution for 15 minutes.
• Next, wipe with a microfibre cloth or sponge.
• Finally, rinse it with clean water and wipe one final time.
• For stubborn stains, sprinkle the bathtub with baking soda before spraying the vinegar solution discussed previously.
• Leave the mixture to bubble for several minutes, before scrubbing with a soft cloth until a paste forms.
• Leave the paste to sit for 15 minutes, then wipe and rinse.

Clean any bath toys

If you've got kids who love to play with toys in the bath, it's easy to forget about cleaning them - they get dunked in the water, after all! But to prevent them becoming grimy or mildewed, it's best to freshen them up every so often with this simple solution.

• To clean, start by squeezing out all of the excess water.
• Then place the toys in a solution of three parts hot water and one part white vinegar in the bathroom sink or a large bowl.
• Leave them to soak for at least ten minutes, then rinse thoroughly with plain water and leave to completely dry

Bonus points: Clean out your bathroom extractor fan

You don't even need baking soda or vinegar for this one! A tub of soapy water and a couple of cloths is all it takes - but what a difference it makes to get a sticky, dusty extractor fan looking as good as new.

Plus, a dirt-clogged bathroom extractor fan is less efficient, leaving you at a higher risk of ending up with damp walls and floors.

• To clean, turn off the power before removing the fan cover.
• Next fill a container with soapy water and leave it to soak.
• Now that you have removed the cover, dust inside your extractor fan, ensuring that you clean behind the back of the fan blades so that you are moving the dust forwards and not onto the place s you have already cleaned.
• Next, scrub inside the unit with a cloth and soapy water. Be sure to wring out your cloth between uses so that you’re not scrubbing with dirty water.
• Allow everything to completely dry before putting the cover back on the extractor fan.

All done? You've definitely earned a rest, but if you feel like taking your clean-up a step further, check out our guide to cleaning a painted wall. Or even give your whole house a proper spring clean, whatever the weathe!