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Some people love cleaning, and I think I’m one of them. It can be so satisfying to see clear counters and a spotless stovetop, or to take a bath in a sparkling tub. But for others, cleaning may be just another chore—especially when it comes to cleaning the bathroom.
Cleaning is easy to put off, but it’s much better for our health and happiness if we keep the bathroom free of germs and bacteria—although there are more in your kitchen, believe it or not.
There are a handful of ways to simplify your bathroom cleaning routine. First, clean in small bouts more often; this will keep your bathroom looking clean and only takes 5 to 10 minutes. It also makes your “big” cleans—around 45 minutes— quicker and easier, since you’re wiping surfaces down more often.
Here are 9 tips for how to clean the bathroom.
1. List out what you need to clean
Cleaning every surface in your home will make a major difference.
Whether you’re just tidying up or doing a seasonal clean, when it comes to how to clean the bathroom there are several surfaces you’ll want to tackle: the counter, sink bowl and drain, toilet bowl and seat, tub and tile, windows, and floors.
Yes, this is pretty much the whole room, and it may seem like a lot, but it’ll make a difference and take your bathroom from functional to enjoyable.
Listing the cleaning necessities is one thing, actually doing the cleaning is another. I like to start by sweeping the floor because it’s a simple task that only takes a few minutes. It makes me feel like starting with a fresh canvas.
2. Clear the space
Remove items from the space to clean with ease.
A pro tip from Roman Peysakhovich, CEO of national house cleaning company Onedesk, is to remove items from the bathroom. “Remove all of your products from the shower and bathtub,” he says. “Next, throw all used towels and rugs outside the room. Don't forget to move any items from the counters outside the bathroom, as well. Lastly, grab any trash cans and empty them.”
By doing this, you can zoom from one surface to the next without rearranging items, making the overall cleaning quicker.
3. Clean smarter not harder
How do you clean your toilet?
Use products that make your life easier. Toilet cleaning tabs are a prime example of a product that should work for you. Just drop them into the basin of your toilet and they’ll clean your toilet for up to 4 months.
You can also use a powerful and handy toilet bowl cleaners like Clorox Toilet Wands. These brushes come with disposable heads which means no gross toilet brushes are laying around the bathroom.
4. Find an all-purpose cleaner that’s right for you
Use the same all-purpose cleaner to make the process quicker.
Cleaning is so much quicker when you’re only using one or two products instead of one for each surface.
While the toilet cleaner fizzes and cleans, I like to switch gears to other surfaces. You may opt for a cleaner like Blueland that you can make by dropping a tablet in water.
You can also use popular proven germ-killers like Clorox since the bathroom is known to house many germs.
5. Be thorough
When cleaning the tub or shower, start at the top.
When it comes time to tackle the shower and tub, start at the top. I like to spray the shower walls first, and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
Then, I wipe downwards with a towel or rag, and I do the same thing with the tub and any pockets in the shower. Don’t forget to spray faucet handles and spouts, too, as these tend to collect residue from soap and shampoo.
Once I’ve wiped the shower clean, I turn the water on all the way to hot, and let it run for a minute or two.
If you need to clean your tub drain, this is a good time to pour in a solution and let it work its magic. I use Draino every few months when the water doesn’t seem to be draining as efficiently.
If you’re really aiming for a spotless bathroom, remove the shower curtain and liner off the rod and wash them in your washing machine or soak them in the sink with a capful of all-purpose cleaner.
If you have glass doors instead of a curtain, spray them with a trusted glass cleaner and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.
6. Don’t overlook your grout
Does your grout need some love?
We rounded up a few different ways you can clean your grout, but regardless of what you choose you’ll want a few supplies to help you tackle it: a grout brush or an old toothbrush plus grout cleaner.
7. It’s toilet time
Use a disinfectant cleaner that you trust.
Next, clean the toilet. This is my least favorite part, and I’m sure there are plenty of people who feel the same. But, let’s be honest: No one wants to see (or use) a dirty toilet.
To clean the toilet, start with the top of the tank so you can use it as a surface for cleaning supplies. Then wipe down the lid and seat, letting the spray sit as your cleaner recommends.
Obviously, you’ll also want to clean the toilet’s bowl. Use a toilet brush and a toilet cleaner. Don’t forget to give it a flush once you’re done.
You’ll also want to wipe down the outside of your toilet, because it can be sticky and dusty as well.
8. Finishing touches mean a lot, so don’t forget them
You'll be satisfied when you finish the job.
The remaining tasks are typically quick. Spray and rinse the sink bowl and drain. Clean the mirror and windows throughout the room with a glass cleaner or white vinegar.
Don’t forget to wipe the counters down; this step has such a satisfying outcome, because the cleaning really starts to feel complete.
The last step is to mop the floor. You may opt to sweep or vacuum, since you may have stirred up some dust and hair. Make sure to empty the trash before mopping so when you leave the room you can let the floors dry.
9. A good clean doesn’t mean expensive supplies
You don't need pricey tools to be an effective cleaner.
When cleaning the bathroom, I bust out my cleaning supplies that have seen better days. Cleaning the toilet, tub, and sink is different from cleaning dishes or kitchen counters, so it doesn’t need to be glamorous.
I use old toothbrushes and dish brushes as spot scrubbers and grout cleaners, and you can always cut up old T-shirts or pillowcases to make rags that you won’t mind getting dirty. You can also use Swedish dishcloths, ratty dish towels, and even your stinky sponges to achieve a spotless clean.
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