Disinfecting doesn't mean you have to don surgical scrubs and autoclave everything in sight
Monica Buck
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Disinfecting the Tub and Shower
Regularly: 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.
When Needed: 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.
