Latest news with #SofiaMartinez
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
You're Probably Waiting Too Long to Replace Your Shower Liner—Here's Why It Matters
Key Points Replacing your shower liner regularly helps protect your health by preventing mold and bacteria from growing in the area where you bathe. Shower liners collect soap, moisture, and bacteria, which can develop into mold and potentially harm your lungs if not cleaned or replaced. Factors such as poor bathroom airflow, long liners, or excessive usage by multiple people can cause your liner to wear out more many things in life, knowing when it's time to replace home items—like air-filters or shower curtain liners—doesn't automatically come along with being an adult. You might have suffered through a few damaged or moldy shower liners without realizing it's time to switch them out. Wondering how often to replace the shower liner? We consulted with two experts—one a cleaning professional and the other a PhD researcher in hygiene and infection prevention—to gain a balanced perspective on the when and why of shower liner the Expert Sofia Martinez, a cleaning expert at Sparkly Maid Austin Shanina C. Knighton, PhD, RN, CICRelated: How to Clean Every Type of Shower, From Glass to Tile Why Does Replacing Your Shower Liner Matter? Sofia Martinez, a cleaning expert at Sparkly Maid Austin, explains that your shower liner is much more than a splash guard (although folks often view it as such). "The liner touches everything—soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and all the humidity in the room," Martinez says. If you don't frequently replace or clean your liner, moisture and humidity from your bathroom will eventually allow mold and bacteria to grow. And mold and bacteria do more than just smell musty (although that's another unpleasant con). Shanina C. Knighton, PhD, RN, CIC, researches both infection prevention and hygiene, and states that shower liners are a breeding ground for mold, especially if you're not on top of regular maintenance and replacement. "If there is visible mold, discolored dots, and you are showering in steam, you could be inhaling mold spores," Knighton explains, "which is not ideal for your health, including your lungs and breathing. Hygienically, a dirty liner can undo all the work you are doing to get clean if you come in contact with it while showering." Related: How Often You Should Clean Every Part of Your Bathroom, According to Experts How Often Should You Replace Your Shower Liner? Martinez suggests replacing your shower liner every six to eight months, but says many factors can influence the ideal replacement time. "If your bathroom doesn't have much air circulation, or if a lot of people are using the shower on a daily basis, you'll probably be able to notice mildew and hardwater buildup more quickly,' Martinez says. 'I'll say that once the liner starts looking cloudy, tacky, or starts to smell musty, it's usually really a good time for a new one.' Regularly inspecting your shower liner will help you check and see if it's time for a replacement. 'Let's say a clear liner turns gray or blurred, a liner gets stained, or smells, and cleaning it does not work, then it is time to change it,' says Knighton. 'I also suggest checking the texture: if the top feels smooth but the bottom is sticky, gummy, slimy, or rough and inconsistent, it is a sign of wear and tear.' According to Martinez, if the liner seems to generally be in decent shape, but has soap scum or shampoo stuck to it, you should be able to clean it sufficiently. She recommends refreshing your liner with a combo of vinegar and baking soda to neutralize Even if your liner says it's 'anti-mold' on the tag, damage and frequent use can throw these claims out the Your Bathroom Environment Impacts the Lifespan of Your Liner Factors like subpar ventilation, frequent shower usage, and high water pressure can all impact the lifespan of your shower liner. Knighton also warns that germs circulate more in bathrooms where your sink, toilet, and tub are positioned closely together, compared to an open, well-ventilated layout. If this describes your bathroom set-up, pay close attention to the length of the liner you choose: Knighton says that a liner that is too long for the tub can cause more germs and mold to accumulate. Regularly cleaning your shower liner can increase its lifespan, but Knighton cautions folks to check their liner's tag for instructions on proper care. 'Some liners will actually tell you what cleaning products are safe or what to avoid so that you don't break down the material by mistake,' she explains. "Be cautious of spraying your liners down with chemicals and not rinsing them off properly. Ventilate, disinfect, and clean, and then properly rinse," Knighton adds. "Without cleaning chemicals off properly, the next time you shower, you will then be breathing in chemicals that are potentially harmful." Read the original article on Martha Stewart
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
6 Things That Are Actually Making Your Bathroom Look Grosser Than It Is, Cleaners Say
Key Points Bathrooms that appear dirty may need replacements or repairs more than a deep clean. Replacing old lighting fixtures and foggy mirrors can help your bathroom appear clean. If your bathroom looks gross, it may be time to fix the caulking or is somewhat ironic that bathrooms, a space meant for cleaning, are a challenge to keep tidy. As many times as we wipe down the bathroom sink and squeegee the shower doors, sometimes bathrooms can seem constantly dirty. However, in many cases, the areas of our bathrooms that need a little attention are the ones we are quick to overlook. We spoke with two cleaning professionals to discover common things that make bathrooms appear dirtier than they actually are, as well as solutions to help you finally make your bathroom look the Expert Sofia Martinez is the founder and CEO at Sparkly Maid Austin. Farook Member is the director at QS Lighting It's common knowledge that lighting has a massive impact on the design of a room, but our experts say it can also make or break the appearance of cleanliness. "Outdated or dirty fixtures can cast mottled light that warps shadows and emphasizes imperfections, even on clean surfaces," says Farook Member, a bathroom design expert and the director at QS Supplies. If your budget allows, replace your outdated bathroom lighting with modern fixtures. If you're looking for a more affordable way to spruce up the space, Member says swapping out your current bulbs with a warmer LED option (specifically around 2700K) will help your bathroom feel like a spa. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more! Discolored or Cracked Caulking Even after a deep clean, sometimes bathtubs still appear dirty. According to Sofia Martinez, the founder and CEO at Sparkly Maid Austin, one of the most common explanations for this issue isn't actually the tub itself, but the caulking around it. "Once the caulking starts to yellow or crack, it can give the impression of dirt and negligence," she says. Fortunately, repairing old caulking is easier than you might expect. Martinez suggests using a plastic scraping tool to remove the old caulking, then wiping the area with rubbing alcohol to get rid of residue. Once the surface has dried, apply a new bead of mold-resistant silicone caulk, smoothing it to finish with a wet finger or the caulk tool. Don't forget to let the caulk cure for at least 24 hours before using the area. Grimy Light Switch Plates and Door Handles When it's time to clean the bathroom, we're quick to check off tasks like wiping down countertops and cleaning the toilet bowl. However, many of us forget to clean high-touch areas like light switches and door handles. Unfortunately, even the cleanest bathroom will still appear dirty if these areas are neglected. "High-touch areas like these accumulate fingerprints, makeup, and soap scum, and since they don't fall into a regular cleaning routine, they have a tendency to get overlooked," says Member. "Replacing old switch plates or even just wiping them down with a magic eraser takes under a minute and makes the room look newer and better maintained." Hard Water Buildup Cloudy hard water stains on your faucets and fixtures are a direct result of high mineral content in the water. While that explanation may not sound gross, mineral deposits can make your bathroom appear unclean. If you're struggling to get rid of pesky hard water buildup, Martinez has a easy, natural solution. "Soak a couple of paper towels or cotton rounds in white vinegar and place them directly onto the deposits," says Martinez. "Leave them for around 30 minutes, then, using a soft toothbrush, scrub away the deposits with some baking soda." Don't forget to rinse away the remaining vinegar and residue and dry thoroughly to prevent more mineral deposits from accumulating. Stained or Uneven Grout Like caulking, grout is another material that can become stained or cracked over time. It's not technically "dirty," but it certainly spoils the clean aesthetic. "Grout is one of those stealthy saboteurs," says Member. "It can be immaculately clean and yet make tile appear dirty if the lines are uneven, cracked, or patchy in color." For renters, Member says a simple grout pen is a cheap solution for whitening faded spots, but for homeowners, he recommends regrouting areas that get a lot of traffic, such as the shower floor, every few years. Old, Foggy Mirrors While you can certainly clean fingerprints and toothpaste splatter off of your bathroom mirror, older mirrors may become distorted, chipped, or splotchy as they age. As a result, the whole room may appear dim and foggy. A DIY glass cleaner can help, but if you're still struggling to achieve the level of cleanliness you want, you can frame out the mirror with stick-on molding or replace the mirror entirely. Minor improvements made to a mirror reflect across the whole bathroom, making the space feel lighter and larger. Read the original article on The Spruce
