I follow these 5 simple steps after every shower and my bathroom is always spotless and mold-free

I am in chronic pain and have limited mobility so instead of big cleans, I do mini but impactful chores in my bathroom every time I show to keep mold and grime away.

It’s a brilliant and low-impact way to reduce the need for big sanitation jobs whilst maintaining a good standard of cleanliness.

It helps reduce the risk of mold, especially as the weather cools and there is naturally less ventilation and more humidity in the house.

5 things I always do after every shower

My en suite shower is small, with a tiny window and a little extractor fan in play. It’s a spot that could be prone to mold or mildew, but in the four years since we bought our home, neither our en suite nor our larger family bathroom has even hinted at a mold problem.

Here’s how my husband and I always clean our bathroom after showering:

1. Squeegee tiles and shower doors

This is the most important one. Before I even step out of the shower, I use a squeegee, available affordably at Amazon, to wipe water off all the en suite shower’s tiles, and the door’s glass. I even wipe the shower seat to make sure there is no excessive water lingering after I step out.

The reason this works so well is that it reduces the reliance on ventilation systems to reduce high humidity in the bathroom. This also reduces limescale and mineral deposits, which is especially important in hard water areas.

2. Wipe floors and windowsills

Despite using a machine-washable and non-slip bath mat (available at Target), drips of water usually end up on the bathroom floor. Once I have finished with my towels, I use them to wipe the floor before putting it on a hot wash as part of our usual laundry schedule.

This stops the bathroom from being a slip hazard and also reduces water marks building up on our linoleum floors. Plus, the motion of wiping it dry reminds me to give it a mini-clean. Once a week,I usually spray a natural anti-bacterial cleaning spray and wipe the damp floors with a Mr.SIGA microfiber cloth, available from Walmart.

This stops excessive buildup of dust, hair, and the usual bathroom germs. I also do the same for the windowsill to clear it of dust and debris that often blows in through the open window, especially important as we live near farmland.

3. Remove hair from the plug

I confess that sometimes I will forget to do this one, or I’m in too much pain from my chronic conditions to bend down or clean, even with adaptive pacing, so my long-suffering husband will do it for me instead.

This helps keep the drain clear of blockages, allows water and suds to quickly move down, and avoids soap scum and other deposits building up and needing a harsh chemical cleaner to drain.

A snake drain, available at Lowe's, is a nifty, chemical-free way to clear out hair blockages with ease.

4. Hang towels to dry immediately

We’re lucky that we have an expansive banister in our hallway, which is the perfect spot to quickly dry our towels. It’s out of sight of any visitors downstairs, whilst capitalizing on the hot air that rises up the stairs in our very well-insulated, newly built home.

Towels that are washed frequently and dry quickly won’t end up with that horrible musty, mildewy smell. As a person with the nose of a hound, and unfortunately able to smell even the tiniest whiff of anything unpleasant, this is one laundry tip I will never skip.

As our wooden banister has been sealed and is shiny and smooth, I use these large beach towel holders from Amazon to keep ours secure and unlikely to drop downstairs into our open plan living room unexpectedly and scare the cats – and us!

5. Open window and run the fan

I have disautonomia, a nervous system disorder, and am very prone to overheating, so even in the middle of winter, I shower with the window slightly open. However, if you prefer the steamy-sauna-esque heat of keeping the windows shut when you shower, make sure you open them afterwards without fail.

Shock ventilation will clear the excess humidity in your bathroom with ease, meaning you’ll be able to turn off your exhaust fan and lighting more quickly. It’s economical and great for banishing that stuffy feeling of humid air.

I would advise keeping them open for at least 15 minutes. That’s usually enough to clear the steam.

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