Once a week or so, apply an all-purpose cleanser, which can eliminate up to 97 percent of germs and bacteria. If you can make it part of your daily routine, use Seventh Generation Shower Cleaner ($4, www.seventhgeneration.com for store locations) to prevent germs and soap scum from building up in the first place. It contains hydrogen peroxide and can be used while you are taking a shower.
If you have more buildup, wet your tub and sprinkle on a nonabrasive powdered cleanser, such as Bon Ami ($2, www.faultless.com for retail locations), to create an on-surface paste, or use a creamy cleanser, such as Soft Scrub. Let it sit for five minutes. (Bon Ami is a much gentler alternative to scouring powders such as Comet and Ajax, which can scratch porcelain, causing it to become porous and therefore more receptive to germs.) Use a spray bottle filled with water to rinse (if you have a handheld showerhead, use that instead). Dry thoroughly with a clean towel.
A slightly damp microfiber cloth or a pretreated Formula 409 wipe can remove daily gunk, such as toothpaste and hair. When Needed: See "Disinfecting the Tub and Shower."
The germs from your toilet aren't fatal - but the idea of germs from your toilet migrating to your toothbrush is less than life-affirming. Studies have shown that traces of bacteria from the toilet can be found on toothbrushes. The easiest fix? A daily swabbing of the offending fixture, using a toilet brush and a splash of all-purpose cleanser.
If your bathroom starts resembling a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike, your toilet might need something stronger than a general cleanser. Douse the toilet bowl and rim with Don Aslett Safety Foam toilet-bowl cleanser ($7, www.donaslett.com), which is industrial strength but contains no bleach. Let it sit for about five minutes. Next, swab the bowl with a toilet brush. Flush. Every few weeks, clean the toilet's exterior with an all-purpose cleanser and a microfiber cloth or sponge.
With dishwashing liquid and a damp microfiber cloth or sponge, wipe down your counters, cooktops, and sink every night after dinner is over. Rinse the cloth or sponge thoroughly and wipe again.
For a deeper clean - or after working with raw meat Ñ sprinkle Bon Ami (or use Soft Scrub) on a sponge. Go over the dirty surface, then let the cleanser sit for five minutes. Rinse with a clean wet sponge and let air-dry (towel drying can recontaminate surfaces).