For a healthier bathing environment, reconsider usingharsh chemicals in your bathroom and turn to these five tips to have your sinks, showers and tiles sparkling and smelling fresh.

1. Think like a Car Wash

All IXL Tastic products (except model # 11317) have ventilation systems designed to prevent mould or spores. An additional trick to reduce moisture in the bathroom is to use a car wash squeegee on all tiled or glass surfaces. This tool will scrape away residual water and restrict the possibility of mould developing. As an added bonus - it’s a job teenage boys won’t mind doing!

2. Reuse household items

Save on space normally cluttered with cleaning cloths and scrubbers, and reuse old t-shirts or even socks for wiping down bench spaces instead. Used loofahs can be recycled for scourers while used toothbrushes make a great grout cleaner for tiles or mosaics.

3. Essential Oils

Create a chemical free, natural air freshener to brighten your bathroom by using sweet smelling pure essential oils. It’s easy to do and you can get creative mixing different scents. Start by enjoying a soothing blend of chamomile, bergamot and lavender.

4. Zesty Rust Scrubs

Use this recipe to soak away any rust stains around your basins.

- ½ grapefruit
- 4 tbsp. table salt

Scrub the salt around the affected areas using your grapefruit. Be sure to release the juice by gently squeezing as you go. Leave to soak for an hour before scrubbing off with the peel side of the grapefruit. Rinse with warm water.

5. Let it soak
A ½ cup of White Vinegar and half a cup of Bicarbonate of Soda makes a hardy paste for whitening bathtubs and sinks. Watch it bubble and foam as you apply it to the chosen areas, and let it soak in for 30 minutes before rinsing away.