Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Works-For-Me-Wednesday-- Scrub-a-Scrub-Scrub...

I get absolutely annoyed at my shower and bathtub when it doesn't SHINE after I just finished cleaning it. I like my tub and faucets to be not only dirt free, but also smooth to the touch and shiny enough to see my reflection. My bathroom cleaner spray may remove the dirt just fine, but doesn't make it completely smooth and shiny because the soap scum and build up has dulled and roughened the surface.

The best solution I have found for this problem is a lovely product called Barkeeper's Friend. The version I like is in powder form like Ajax or Comet. In addition to cleaning tubs and showers, I also use it on my stainless steel sinks and faucets. The only thing I don't care for is having to rinse it. I have yet to figure out an easy way to rinse the walls in our stand alone shower.

READ the label to make sure it is safe for your bathroom then hop to it.

Here are the steps:


  1. Wet the tub/shower down


  2. Sprinkle a generous amount around-- shake, shake, shake


  3. Put on rubber gloves. It's doable with bare hands but I use rubbergloves if I have them.


  4. Spread BKF around with a wet rag to make a paste that covers all the area


  5. Let it sit or set for however long you get distracted


  6. Go find your child who is screaming "Mommmeeee".


  7. Tell big brother to put her down-- NOW


  8. Tell little sister to quit taking big brother's Legos and hiding them


  9. Remember that you were cleaning the tub


  10. Take rag or any scrubby thing and SCRUB 'til that tub is slick as ice so if Bambi fell in your tub his little legs would just go every which way


  11. Throw gloves down and RUN because it is TOO QUIET


  12. Send children to separate corners with threats of "if I have to come out here one more time, I am putting Webkinz in timeout-- until tomorrow!"


  13. Rinse tub and fixtures with lots of water until shiny


  14. Dream of the time you will use the tub, alone and without interruption, like in about 18 years


  15. Put supplies away


  16. Go get a Diet Coke and while you drink it


  17. Return to the bathroom


  18. Admire your hard work


  19. Leave the quiet of the bathroom and go play LEGOS


For other more helpful tips, head on over to Rocks In My Dryer.

11 comments:

Mandy said...

I have heard SO many good things about this stuff. I need to go get some. And I'll come be OCD at your house anytime!

Thia said...

I think I have heard about hoses that attach to your sink, so it would act as a shower head spray...you could use that to spray the walls down.

Sonshine said...

Great tip! I hate having to clean off soap scum or have the gritty feeling after supposedly cleaning the tub.

However, if it is similar to Comet or Ajax, I probably can't use it in my tub though.

thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. :)

Anonymous said...

LOL!!! I don't use BKF, but I just love your steps! Sounds so familiar! and hey.. speaking of... it just got WAY too quiet... guess I'd better run! *S*

Jenn said...

I'm going to have to find some of that stuff myself! I've been putting off cleaning my shower for much too long.
Your instructions were great! And oh so true.

LadyStarbucks said...

Okay! That totally cracks me up! And you thought that I was the only one with a sense of humor! I beg to differ!

Fiddledeedee said...

I am completely addicted to this stuff. I mean for cleaning. GREAT on my ceramic stovetop. After I've burned the evening meal. I will try your tip for cleaning the nasty shower. My current method of just not looking down is not working. :)

Mamabug said...

Thia- I'll keep my eyes open for that.

Lorraine- Is your house still standing? :)

Fiddledeedee- thought I was going to die laughing: "not looking down". I try not to look down, around, or through the glass. I write my to do list on the glass. Multitasking, ya know. I may know how to get the soap scum off, I didn't say I did it often. :)

Anonymous said...

hahaha....
I hate powder cleaners. But if they ever make a liquid version of that stuff, let me know!!
:)
-daralee

NHizName said...

Hi! Just found your blog...wanted to say, I use a watering can ( With the long spout for watering potted plants) to rinse my shower walls. It works great! Best to get a medium sized one...too big and they are hard to handle, too small and you have to refill them too often! ~smile~...oh, and I have heard lots about this product...will pick some up and try it on my tub and my stainless steel kitchen sinks!

Anonymous said...

I have heard of BKF, but now I'll have to give it a try! Thanks for stopping by my blog today.