Real Simple's Answer To.....

If you're anything like me you despise cleaning the bathroom as much as I do.  If they ever invent a self-cleaning one, I'll be as close to first in line as finances allow!  Since they haven't invented it, yet, and finances probably won't allow, I look for every short cut I can find (I really, really hate cleaning the bathroom!). 

In line with that, I was recently perusing the magazine, Real Simple, and they had an article explaining how to clean your bathroom in five minutes.  I will now share that article with you:

SPEED CLEANING YOUR BATHROOM: Ten Times Better In Five Minutes Or Less

written by: Allegra Muzzillo

SECRET WEAPONS

Real Simple's top picks for the job at hand:

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Disposable and bleach-free, they kill most germs and don't leave streaks on chrome. Can be found in the cleaning-products section of any Rite-Aide, Wal-Mart or Walgreens.

Method Window & Glass Microfiber Cloth. Reusable and lint-free. $5 at methodhome.com

Alka-Seltzer Plus Orange Zest cold formula. (Yes, you read that right.)  The surprising alter ego of these effervescent citrus tablets? Bowl freshener.  You can find them in the cold & flu section of any drug store, Wal-Mart or Walgreens (not to mention most grocery stores)

START HERE:

> Mintue 1 ~  Drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into the toilet bowl and let the bubbles do their magic.  Toss used towels in a pile outside the door; stash odds and ends (brushes, hair dryer) in drawers or a pretty basket.  Get rid of melty soap bars and lingering chips.

> Minute 2 ~ With a damp microfiber cloth, swipe cobwebs from ceiling corners (stick the cloth on the end of a broom to reach) and dust door frames, tile ledges, moldings, shelves, framed art and sills.  Rinse and wring.  Do the light switch and the soap dish with a disinfecting wipe.

> Minute 3 ~ Spray mirrors with glass cleaner and rub in circles with the cloth (or newspaper if you can't locate the microfiber cloths).  Then run a wipe over the vanity and the sink to pick up rogue hairs, powder and toothpaste.  (Clorox brand is safe for most hard surfaces, including marble.)  Grab a new wipe for the faucet handles, the wall behind the faucet and any light fixtures.

> Minute 4 ~ With a fresh wipe, clean the top of the toilet tank, the flusher handle and the lid.  Use a new wipe for the top and the bottom of the seat and the lip of the bowl - in that order.  Take one more wipe and do the base of the toilet and the floor around it.  Next, swish water around the inside of the bowl with a toilet brush and flush.  Using (you guessed it) another wipe, clean the vents and the baseboards.

> Minute 5 ~ Move the wastebasket to just outside the door. Set out clean hand towels and a roll of toilet paper.  With a couple of wipes, tackle the floor.  Clean dust and hair from every corner, starting with the corner farthest from the door and backing out.  Empty the trash and you're done.

This really does work, but only if you already do a fair job of cleaning your bathroom thoroughly on a regular basis.  This is the Mom's-coming-for-a-visit-panic-cleaning method.  I tried it, but I forgot that, yes, even a bathroom needs to be dusted once in awhile, so it took me somewhat longer than five minutes.  Still, it was the fastest I've ever gotten through the job.  Whether that's due to the "Attack Plan" Ms. Muzzillo has laid out for me, or the motivation to try and get through it in five minutes, I'm not sure.  But it worked.

Now, my fellow Donna Quixotes, let us attack the enemy! Disinfecting Wipes at the ready!!!!