Summer’s heat and humidity can make it extra challenging to keep your bathroom clean and fresh. Add dirt and grime from outdoor activities, and you have more reasons to help protect your tile and other high-touch surfaces. Use these summer bathroom cleaning tips to help keep the space sparking this season.

Focus on cleaning high-touch bathroom surfaces

If you have to clean anything in the bathroom more often, it’s going to be the areas that get the most contact: handles, levers, and faucets. This is where many germs can linger, especially in hot and humid environments. Prioritize these areas on a regular basis to help reduce the spread of bacteria. Limit use by adding accessories such as a touchless soap dispenser. From a quick wipe of a disinfecting cloth to a gentle spritz of a non-abrasive cleanser, you can keep your countertop and fixtures fresh.

How proper ventilation can beat summer heat and humidity

Steamy showers already add excess moisture to the bathroom. Add seasonal humidity and you have a recipe for even more mold and mildew growth. Airflow helps to dry out the room so moisture doesn’t linger on grout, ceilings, and cabinetry. Here’s how you can ventilate the space:

• Before you turn on the shower, turn on the exhaust fan.
• Consider cracking the window or door.
• Keep the fan running after your shower.
• Use a dehumidifier.

When cleaning, target drains, mirror edges, behind toilets, and the corners of tiled walls where moisture can linger and mold and mildew can hide. If you’re looking to renovate, consider using water-resistant paint, vinyl wall panels, and resealing grout lines to minimize mold and mildew growth.

Why bathroom linens shouldn’t be overlooked

From washcloths to hand towels, these items can soak up a lot of moisture. But if they’re not dried properly, they can also harbor musty mold. Install hooks or bars where you can easily access it to hang any towel size and allow for better airflow between uses. Clean towels often, whether they’re being used in the bathroom, pool, or beach.

With these simple cleaning habits, specially formulated products, and smart bathroom design, you can help make cleaning more manageable and prevent mold and mildew from becoming a problem this summer.