• The bathroom sink and mirror should be wiped down regularly.Bathroom image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com
  
  The bathroom is one of the most important places in your home to keep clean. With wet towels, mildew, toilet stains, toothpaste and other imperfections that require regular cleaning, it can be hard to keep track---especially for inexperienced young cleaners. If your child's chores include maintaining the bathroom, giving him a list of tasks can minimize the amount of work he neglects or forgets.
  
  

Picking Up

• Give your child a list of bathroom clutter that should be picked up and organized on a regular basis. Dirty clothes left behind after a shower, wet towels and dirty bathmats should be laundered regularly, so include those in the list. If your sink becomes cluttered with toothbrushes, hair products, razors and makeup, the list should instruct your child to put those things away where they belong. If the garbage can is full, it should be emptied. Once the bathroom and its surfaces are clear of clutter, the cleaning can start in full effect.
  
  

Tub and Sink

• The steps to cleaning the bathtub and sink merit their own list. Using a clean, damp cloth, wipe down the bathtub and the shower walls on a daily basis to prevent the buildup of grime. If you children are old enough to use chemical bathroom cleaners, these may be used to break down any accumulated layers of soap scum. The shower rod and rings should be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove any dust. Every three to six months, your children can take down the shower curtain and liner for you to launder and replace. Children can also use a clean, damp cloth to wipe out the sink. Simple dish washing liquid may be used to scrub out caked-on stains, like toothpaste, as an alternative to using harsh chemical cleaners. The faucet and hardware should also be wiped down.
  
  

Toilet and Miscellaneous

• The degree to which your children clean the toilet depends on how old they are. If they are younger, simple wiping down the exposed surfaces with a clean, damp cloth and scrubbing the bowl with a toilet brush may be sufficient. If they are older and more responsible, however, you may instruct them to use chemical cleaners that more efficiently break down stains and sanitize the area. Children can also use a cleaning cloth to wipe down other surfaces that may accumulate dust or stains in the bathroom, like the windowsill, the shelves or the mirrors.