How To Clean Bathroom Cabinets And Shelves

Greetings, are you ready to learn how to clean your bathroom cabinets and shelves?

Well, we at MEIDE definitely are!

First up, good job on being here. It is definitely important for one to be ready mentally and physically before embarking on a cleaning journey.

The lavatory shelves, in particular, can be daunting to clean for first time helpers. However, if you are relatively new to toilet cleaning, why not check out all our bathroom cleaning guides here?

How To Clean:

1. The Toilet Bowl
2. The Shower Area
3. Toilet Sink Area
4. Toilet Windows, Ledges, Blinds
5. Bathroom Floor Tiles
6. Shower Glass
7. Shower Curtains
8. The Bathtub
9. Shower Drain + Unclog It
10. Bathroom Walls
11. Bathroom Light Fixtures and Doors
12. Bathroom Cabinets, Shelves and Fixtures
13. Bathroom Mirror and Vanity Area
14. Bathroom Faucets and Taps
15. Sink Traps / Bottle Traps

With all these different tips and hacks on cleaning the toilet, you would become a pro in no time.

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So, let’s get back to topic. Did you know that cleaning the cabinets and shelves in the washroom is much more straightforward, as compared to the other toilet items?

Well, generally yes. Nonetheless, certain vanity areas may comprise of large and multiple shelves. This is where things get tricky. Thus, MEIDE always strongly encourages helpers and home owners to allocate sufficient time for this! A top error made, even by experienced housewives, is underestimating the time and effort required for cleaning the toilet shelves and cabinets.

Read on to find out why exactly cleaning the shelves and cabinets take a long time.

TOOLS TO CLEAN BATHROOM CABINETS

Before you start cleaning the lavatory shelves, cabinets, or fixtures, use this list to gather all your tools / “barang barang”!

Cleaning Tools

• Gloves
• Pail or Bucket To Contain Water/Solution
• Toothbrush
• Scouring Pad or Sponge
• Soft Scrub
• Drying Rags

Cleaning Supplies

• Dishwashing Soap / Detergent
• Baking Soda Powder
• Toothpaste
• Alcohol Wipes / Disinfectant Spray
• Dedicated Material Polish (Eg. Wood Polish Solution)
• Microfibre Cloth

5 STEPS TO CLEAN BATHROOM CABINETS

Are you ready to start wiping? Hold on. Follow our 5 step guide to clean the toilet shelves to avoid any mistakes. Estimated duration: 5 minutes PER compartment of a cabinet (sized approximately 1.5 square meters), or 2 shelves each 75cm long.

Step 1 – Pack and Prepare

Before we begin cleaning the cabinet or shelves, it is vital to pack them up. Referring back to how to clean the vanity area of the toilet, always clear up your toiletries and items from the cabinets and shelves first. Get a basket so that items removed can be replaced back to the shelves readily after your cleaning is done.

Now, put on your gloves, and prepare a pail of clean water and cleaning solution. This solution can be made with either 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid/soap, or 1 teaspoon of toothpaste + 2 teaspoons of baking soda powder. Some home owners use a cup of vinegar. However, MEIDE discourages this as vinegar may cause stains and lingering odors, which might not be desirable for you or your visitors!

Step 2 – Choose Cleaning Tool

Next, select your suitable cleaning tool. Find a tool that is able to reach the surfaces easily and not too rough that may cause scratches on the surface. Helpful tools include a simple clean rag, soft sponges, or non-abrasive scouring pads. Alternatively, use an alcohol wipe. 

So, if you chose a scouring pad, simply dip it into the cleaning solution, and squeeze it till the cleaning tool is damp, but not dripping. Avoid using too much water. Upon wiping the surface, it should leave the surface slightly wet, but not form droplets or puddles.

Step 3 – Wipe Away

Now, you can start wiping. Be sure to wipe down every surface. Without being too technical, there are more surfaces to wipe than you think. But for the fun of it, let’s do the math. Remember that a cube or cuboid has 6 sides. Multiply that by 2 to factor for the interior plus exterior sides. Do not forget the sides facing directly towards or away from you too – these count for another 4 surfaces. In other words, cleaning one single shelf means wiping down approximately 16 sides!

Wipe in a systemic fashion. Professional cleaners do it from top to bottom, and right to left (if you are right-handed), for maximum strength and efficiency. Nonetheless, you could choose it in a radial, circular motion, or even diagonally across. Regardless, just ensure you wipe it entirely!

Step 4 – Dry Completely

Congratulations, you are almost there! Upon completing the wet wiping of bathroom cabinets and shelves, use a new drying rag to repeat the wiping process. Use the same method, whether horizontal, circular or diagonal, to wipe the surface to dry up any moisture.

This is because wood and metal are common materials in cabinets and shelves. Wood tends to soak up moisture and over time, it alters the shape and size. Metal is prone to rust with too much exposure to moisture. 

Step 5 – Touch Up With Special Solutions

Lastly, to touch up wood, marble or metal surfaces, consider using a special polishing agent and microfiber cloth, both of which you could easily purchase from hardware stores or the supermarket. This is a bonus step, but would certainly leave your wooden cabinets or metal shelves shiny and praiseworthy for your home visitors!

DO CLEAN THE TOILET HOLDERS AND WALL-MOUNTED FIXTURES TOO

In essence, cleaning the bathroom cabinets, shelves and fixtures can be done simply. All it takes is some elbow grease and tips from our guide here.

Moving on to the toilet accessory fixtures, such as the toothbrush holder, soap dispenser, and toilet roll holders, follow the same steps above mentioned!

Yes, not much needs to be said about these items. Clean it exactly the same way you would clean the toilet shelves and cabinets.

However, we are specially mentioning it here, because holders and fixtures particularly are oft-forgotten items! So, unless you have a photographic memory, get some “Post-it” notes and jot it down.

Include the toilet roll holders, towel holders, soap dispensers, hooks, hand dryers, and any other decorative or random fixtures that might be in your bathroom. We are pretty sure there would be plenty of them!

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