Does Vinegar Need to Soak When Cleaning a Bathroom?

Wash

• Wash hard surfaces in the bathroom using straight vinegar. Sponge the surface with a cloth soaked in vinegar and then rinse with clean water. Use the vinegar to clean the shower stall, bathtub, sink, countertop and faucets. If an area is especially grimy with stubborn stains, such as a fixture, soak the area with vinegar and allow it to set for about 30 minutes. When cleaning shower doors, dilute the vinegar, making a cleaning solution of two parts vinegar and one part water. Switch back to straight vinegar for tough stains.

Shower Door Tracks

• Cleaning shower door tracks is one example of when soaking with vinegar is effective. Pour vinegar in the track and let it soak for about 2 hours. If the track is especially dirty, heat the vinegar in the microwave before applying. Rinse the area with hot water to wash away the vinegar and scrub with a brush.

Showerheads

• Showerheads are best soaked in vinegar to remove hard water and scum build up. If it is a removable plastic showerhead, soak in a bucket with equal amounts vinegar and water for about an hour. For a metal, removable showerhead, bring a pan of water and vinegar to a boil, using 1 cup vinegar to each quart of water. Remove the pan from the burner and set the showerhead in the solution for about 10 minutes. For a non-removable showerhead, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and wrap it around the showerhead, allowing the showerhead to soak in the vinegar for about an hour.

Toilet

• While you can wipe down the toilet with vinegar to clean, sometimes it requires a vinegar soak. If there are heavy, hard water stains in the toilet, turn the water to the toilet off and flush, to lower the water level. Spray vinegar onto the stains to saturate. Sprinkle borax over the vinegar and allow the area to soak for about 30 minutes. Sand the vinegar and borax area with fine sandpaper to remove the hard water stains.