How to Clean & Maintain Your Bathroom Vanity: Investing in a new vanity brings an instant upgrade to your bathroom style. But like any fixture, proper care is key to keeping your vanity looking its best for years. Use these quick and proven DIY vanity cleaning tips to keep your vanity looking fresh and new – for years to come.
1. Normalize Dusting To Keep Your Vanity Clean
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Over time, dust accumulates on your vanity.
This can dull your vanity, removing it from its natural shine.
Left unchecked, it could also lead to a build-up of grime.
How to Clean or Dust Your Wooden Vanity:
Clean Regularly: Make wiping down your vanity a part of your regular bathroom cleaning routine.
A soft, damp cloth can be used to clean your vanity of dust, water spots, and soap residue.
It’s recommended to do this before they build up – it’ll be harder to do so then.
For a deeper clean, use a mild detergent or all-purpose bathroom cleaner. Avoid abrasive scouring pads, especially for wooden vanities.
How Often Should I Wipe Down or Dust My Vanity?
It only takes a gentle wipe, once a week.
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Pro Vanity Cleaning Tip: For wooden vanities, always wipe following the flow of the wood grain to avoid scratches.
2. More Than Just a Splash – Avoiding the Dangers of Water Damage
Water damage can certainly wreck your furniture.
This is particularly true for wooden vanities.
The Science Behind It:
How does water damage wooden furniture, cabinets, or vanities?
Wood absorbs water.
When water comes into contact with wooden furniture or vanities, water gets absorbed by the wood and this can lead to an expansion of the wood, which can then lead to cracks or bends within the wood.
Long story short: avoid water with your wooden vanities or cabinets.
How to Avoid Water Damage for Your Vanity
First things first: wipe off any water immediately.
Consider investing in quality bathroom mats to prevent water pooling near your vanity.
Another way to avoid water damage to the bottom of your vanity is to use a floating vanity, also known as a wall-mounted or wall-hung vanity.
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These floating vanities literally float above the floor, creating a safe distance and buffer between the vanity bottom and the floor.
Protecting Your Vanity From Water You Can’t See
The humid environment of a bathroom can damage finishes over time.
Specifically, excessive moisture can warp, discolor, or damage your vanity.
Depending on your area and the weather where you are, it may be a good idea to open the bathroom window, door, or vent after showering or bathing to help reduce your bathroom’s humidity.
How to Reduce Your Bathroom’s Humidity: For the Sake of Your Vanity & Cabinets
- Ensure your bathroom is well-ventilated.
- Run the fan during and after showers.
- If possible, crack a window open from time to time.
After all, water can pool microscopically in the air – and this collection of airborne water in the form of high humidity can also lead to water damage to your vanity in due time.
In summary, keep your bathroom dry, and be sure to wipe off any excess water that contacts your vanity.
Ventilation is also key to keeping moisture at bay and your vanity safe, sound, and stunning.
Water is often your vanity and bathroom's worse enemy.
Pro Tip: How to Go the Extra Mile in Protecting Your Vanity From Moisture: If you find that your bathroom gets damp frequently, or if you live in an extremely humid environment such as Florida, you may find that you may need to take extra steps to protect your vanity from moisture.
To do so, apply a protective vanity wax 1–2 times per year on your vanity.
Doing so will seal the surface of your vanity to repel moisture.
As long as you do this, and you quickly wipe away any water splashes or spills that occur near or on your vanity, you and your vanity should be ok.
3. Remove Harsh Bathroom Products & Chemicals From Your Vanity Counter
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Not everything belongs on your counter.
Some bathroom products contain harsh chemicals that can stain or erode your vanity body or countertop.
Solution? Always store your products in a cabinet or on a tray.
At least if there’s a spill, you can clean it up immediately, with little to no contact or damage to your vanity.
Here’s a list of harsh bathroom products and chemicals to keep away from your vanity:
- Harsh Cleaners & Bleach
- Natural Cleaners: Vinegar, etc.
- Wet Sponges or Cleaning Supplies
These substances can quickly eat away at vanity finishes.
But with proper care and maintenance, your bathroom vanity will function flawlessly and look beautiful year after year, adding style and organization to your bathroom space.
4. Need Help Maintaining that New Vanity Shine? Keep it Polished
Entropy and disorder are natural elements of life.
Over time, even the best vanities can lose their luster.
And even more so if they’re frequently touched, used, or splashed on.
After all, vanities serve integral parts of our lives: they can be categorized as high-traffic and high-use stations, depending on personal context.
How to Keep Your Vanity Shining Like New:
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For wooden vanities, it’s best to use a non-abrasive polish.
For stone countertops, we recommend the manufacturer’s recommendation.
5. Protect The Sink! It's More Fragile Than You Think
Although vanity sinks are generally durable, sinks are still vulnerable to chips or staining, especially if exposed to heavy or colored substances.
For example, nail polish and nail varnish are not recommended items near your vanity as this is a heavy color and chemical that can easily stain it.
It’s also a good idea to be cautious with hair dyes or other colored products – these can also cause a deep stain on your sink.
To avoid physical damage to your sink, it’s recommended to avoid dropping heavy items on it.
Maintaining Your Vanity Sink 101:
To maintain your vanity sink, regularly rinse the sink after use, avoid using heavy items on top of it, and avoid hair dyes or other colored products such as acrylic paint that can color your sink permanently.
Following these steps should help preserve the shine and cleanliness of your sink.
6. Check Your Hardware, Plumbing & Vanity Fixtures Regularly: Don't Let Loose Handles Slide
On the exterior, loose handles or hinges can often lead to unnecessary wear or accidents.
To solve this potential issue, give your vanity handles and knobs a gentle tug, once a month, to ensure that they’re secure.
Simply tighten any handles or fixtures that feel loose.
Checking Plumbing Fixtures
But what about your vanity’s interior health?
It is always a good idea to periodically inspect your vanity sink, faucet, and drain for leaks or drips – and to fix them as soon as possible to prevent costly water damage.
Simply tighten connections as needed, and replace washers or handles at first signs of trouble.
Inspecting this once a month is recommended.
7. Organize Interiors
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Kingdee 16" Floating Linen Cabinet in White Oak
We’ll keep the last one short and sweet.
Cluttered vanity drawers and cabinets make retrieving items frustrating.
Simply use organizing trays and dividers to neatly store all your toiletries, cosmetics, and bathroom essentials.
This will not only keep your vanity and vanity counter looking sparkling clean, but this minimalist exposé of your vanity will keep it looking its best.
Wrapping it Up: A Clean & Beautiful Vanity to Last the Test of Time
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Your bathroom vanity isn't just a piece of furniture or wood; it's an investment.
It’s an aesthetic and functional piece and sanctuary of your space.
That also raises your overall home’s value.
Hopefully, with these simple DIY tips, you’ll not only ensure the longevity of your vanity, but also its long-term beauty and appeal to your senses.
Remember, a little care goes a long way.
