How to Clean a Bathroom: The Ultimate How to Clean a Bathroom Guide Like a Professional with Checklist

February 6, 2023

Written by: Florie Malapit

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How to Clean a Bathroom: The Ultimate How to Clean a Bathroom Guide Like a Professional with Checklist

Bathrooms are one of the essential parts of your home, but they can also be one of the hardest to clean. Not only is there a lot to clean, but it's also hard to get into all the nooks and crannies without destroying your brush.

So we'll help you clean up your bathroom once and for all. We've put together this ultimate guide on cleaning a bathroom like a professional house cleaning service, with a checklist of everything you need to do to ensure every nook and cranny has been cleaned before you call it quits for the day.

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Your bathroom is a haven of relaxation. It's where you unwind, relax, and wash away the day's worries.

However, the bathroom is also one of the dirtiest areas in your home. Your bathroom can be a haven for bacteria and germs, making you sick if they get into your mouth.

But don't worry. You don't have to spend hours cleaning it every week. We've got all the tips and tricks you need to keep your bathroom clean and healthy.

This guide is for you if you're tired of having a dirty bathroom. It's time to get cloudy with your bathroom and make it look like the day you moved into your house.

With our handy checklist, we'll show you how to clean a bathroom like a pro. We'll walk you through the process step-by-step, from start to finish, so that your bathroom will look like it belongs in a five-star hotel when you're done.

How to Clean a Bathroom: The Ultimate How to Clean a Bathroom Guide Like a Professional with Checklist

What You'll Need

  • Basket
  • Toilet brush
  • Disinfecting or All-purpose cleaner
  • White vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Clean cloth or towel
  • Plastic bag
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Brush
  • Trash bag
  • Dish soap
  • Essential oil

How to Thoroughly Clean a Bathroom: Step-by-Step Guide

Cleaning the bathroom is one of those chores that, no matter how many times you do it, always feels like it's just as dirty and gross as before. But cleaning your bathroom doesn't have to be a chore. We'll show you how it can be a fun and relaxing experience.

This step-by-step guide will take you through everything from ensuring the room is clean before you start to ensure that all surfaces are sanitized and germ-free.

1. Clear the clutter

Clean the clutter in the bathroom

It is the perfect moment to clean out the bathroom trash that has gathered over the past week or so. Clear the surfaces of anything that could get in the way of a good cleaning.

You should get rid of used toilet paper and shampoo and eliminate any fragrances, candles, or cosmetics that have no business in the bathroom before you begin cleaning. Throw the extras in a basket and deal with them later if you don't have restroom storage or are in a rush.

If you have a window, throw it open while you get ready. Cleaning requires a lot of fresh air, so open all the windows before you start. Simply turning on the fan in the bathroom can serve as a substitute for a window.

2. Clean the toilet

It would be best to start by scrubbing the toilet, as that will be the dirtiest and most hated task. Begin cleaning a toilet properly by washing the bowl's interior using a toilet brush and disinfecting cleaner. Follow it up by scrubbing the toilet seat.

Then, clean the exterior of the toilet by wiping down the tank's top and sides. One of the dirtiest areas of a bathroom is the toilet handle, so make sure you give it the same treatment. For the exterior of the toilet, an all-purpose cleaner is the best.

3. Scrub down the shower and bathtub

Clean the shower, bathtub, shower door, shower curtains, and shower head

The bathroom's shower and bathtub likely take up the most floor space. Therefore, cleaning the shower and bathtub can seem like an enormous task, especially if you last did it a while ago. Here is the proper way to clean your bathtub or shower.

  • Shower curtain and liner- Throw your shower curtains and liner in the washing machine with some old towels to scrub away soap scum and mildew. They can be hung back up on the hooks to dry after use.
  • Glass shower door- To clean bathroom glass doors, make a paste of a few drops of white vinegar and a tablespoon of baking soda, and then rub the paste over the entire door panel. After an hour, wipe it down with water, rinse it and dry it with another clean cloth.
  • Tub- To clean the tub, spray it with a bathroom cleaner and let it sit under the cleaning product's instructions. Then scrape and wash it.
  • Shower head- To clean a shower head, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie it around your showerhead to submerge it. Wash it out with water after it has been left overnight to clean.

4. Disinfect the sink and taps

Use your chosen natural cleaning solution or all-purpose bathroom cleaner to scrub the bathroom sink and faucets. To remove soap buildup and toothpaste stains, spray the sink and scrub each area with a clean microfiber cloth. After washing the sink with a damp cloth, rinse it with clean water.

Use a surface cleaner to spray all sink taps and other water fixtures in your bathroom, and then wipe them off with a soft cloth. Cleaning with vinegar is a tried-and-true method for eliminating limescale buildup around taps, but be mindful that vinegar should not be left on stainless steel for an extended period. Instead, it would be best if you rinsed the area well afterwards.

5. Unclog and clean the bathroom drains

Unclog bathroom sink and shower drains

Because of the accumulation of hair and soap scum from regular use, bathroom drains are a common source of unpleasant odours and clogs, making them a particularly challenging element of bathroom cleaning.

If your bathroom sink and shower drains need more than a plunger, see our tutorial on how to clean bathroom drains.

6. Deep clean your bathroom tiles and tile grout

Those around the tub or shower should be sprayed well. Scrub these tiles and grout thoroughly, then dry them with a clean towel. You may even use the shower head to wash your tiles in hot water if you like.

To make your bathroom look even newer, consider cleaning your tile grout. The bathroom grout between your tiles is a breeding ground for germs. Combine white vinegar and baking soda, and use a brush to scrub the grout lines carefully. Then, rinse it under running or hot water to remove the cleaning solution.

7. Wipe down the counters and surfaces

Wipe down the bathroom counters and surfaces

Dust and filth can be wiped away by wiping down the counters. Wipe off all of the surfaces in the bathroom using the all-purpose cleaner of your choice. It includes the shelves, the cupboards above the sink, and any other surfaces you may have.

Scrub the edges and corners thoroughly to remove any soap scum or scale. After scrubbing, give everything a good rinse to eliminate any leftover cleaning agent.

It would be best if you also used this time to disinfect the door handles in your bathroom. These are frequently touched and should be included in regular deep cleaning of the bathroom because of the enormous volume of bacteria they can harbour.

8. Empty and disinfect the bathroom bin

Although the contents of a bathroom trash can are less likely to attract flies than those of a kitchen trash can, the bathroom bin can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Thus, incorporating regular cleaning into your schedule is essential.

First, pour the contents into a trash bag for disposal. Next, give the bathroom bin a thorough cleaning with diluted white vinegar and hot water to eliminate any grime and germs that may have accumulated inside.

9. Wipe over bathroom accessories

Wipe over bathroom accessories and clean the mirror

Replace your toothbrushtoothbrush holder, soap dispenser, and any bottles from the shower or bathtub after cleaning the bathroom, as this is the best time to clean them. You can keep these bathroom items from spreading germs and bacteria back onto freshly cleaned surfaces by giving them a quick wipe-down after use.

You can also clean and shine the mirrors in the bathroom. Use a specialized glass cleaner or a mix of water and vinegar to wipe down the mirror until it shines without streaks. To further aid the removal of steaks from the completed area, use a non-streak cloth or microfiber towel.

10. Clean the bathroom floors

The last task is to clean the flooring, which should be done last because you wouldn't want to dirty up a freshly washed floor.

Prepare a floor-friendly cleaning solution that won't leave a sticky residue. If you don't have access to a dedicated floor cleaner, a mixture of vinegar and hot water, plus a few drops of dish soap, will do the trick. To neutralize sour aromas, add a few drops of essential oil.

The toilet's immediate vicinity, including the space behind it, and any corners, should be given special attention. And to get the bathroom floor spotless, you can either use a mop or, in a more compact bathroom, get on your hands and knees to scrub it.

How to Speed Clean Your Bathroom in 15 Minutes

How to speed clean a bathroom in 15 minutes

Ready to clean your bathroom but don't have the time? We get it. Finding the motivation to clean when you're busy and to make matters worse can be challenging. Finding the time and energy to clean might be much more difficult when you're already swamped with other responsibilities.

But we've got a secret. It doesn't have to take hours. If you follow this guide, your bathroom will be sparkling clean in less than 15 minutes.

It's so easy that it'll feel like cheating. So grab your cleaning supplies, and let's get started!

1. Prepare to clean

Open the windows, turn on some tunes, get out the cleaning supplies, and set a timer before you start. Working this way will allow you to save time. Since you'll just be cleaning for 15 minutes, when the bell rings, you can quit.

2. Declutter the bathroom surfaces

Gather everything that doesn't belong in this space. Gather these things in a box, basket, or bag outside the bathroom. Place bathroom items back where they belong. Save your time straightening out the linen closet or medicine cabinet. Return everything to its rightful place. Only bother arranging once you have more spare time.

3. Scrub the toilet bowl

Scrub the toilet bowl

Put some toilet cleaner around your bowl's interior, and then scrub it thoroughly with a toilet brush. After you've finished, flush the toilet and set the toilet brush under the seat to dry. Clean the exterior of the bathroom as well as the seat and cistern.

Disinfect the toilet's exterior with a wipe or spray designed for that purpose. Instead of allocating too much time scrubbing the toilet bowl, quickly wipe off the outside and flush if there is any apparent filth or grime.

4. Shine up your bathroom

Combine equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Soap scum and toothpaste splatters can be easily removed from faucets, mirrors, countertops, and sinks by spraying the cleaning solution onto paper towels or microfiber cloth and wiping the affected areas clean.

Focus on the areas where toothpaste has left smears, then remove them with a microfiber cloth. In the same way, you would spray down a dirty table. You should spray down a dirty bathroom door if you care what your guests think.

5. Clean the shower screen

Clean the glass shower screen with a squeegee

You shouldn't have too much trouble removing soap scum from the glass if you do it regularly. After a shower, you can spray on some cleaning products to prevent soap scum from accumulating. A few minutes spent squeegeeing water and spraying and wiping the shower screen can avoid much hassle in the long run.

If you want to give cleaning your shower screen your full attention, it's best to do it on a different day. If you start with a "clean slate", subsequent speed cleans will be a breeze to keep it that way.

6. Mop the floor

Quickly sweep the floor, paying particular attention to the frequently used areas. A quick sweep and mop of the floor can be done in under a minute if you're prepared and move quickly.

More water or cleaning solution should be used for washing tiles. Grout gets dirty and dark over time because water penetrates it. Using a lightweight mop and a high-quality cleaning product is typically sufficient.

7. Finishing touches

Finish cleaning your bathroom

You should replace the items on the vanity, etc., once the floor has dried. Remember to replace used towels with clean ones. Matching sets are a nice touch that completes a tidy bathroom.

You should wash and wring out the microfiber cloth and other cleaning towels you used. Wipe the floor with a wet cloth to remove loose debris, such as hair, dust, or grime. Throw the microfiber cloth in the laundry when you're done with it.

Bathroom Cleaning Checklist: When to Clean Your Bathroom

It's easy to overlook your bathroom, especially if you live alone and have limited company. But it's okay to keep up. Your bathroom is where you get ready for the day and wind down at the end of it, so it's vital that it feels clean and inviting when you're in there doing your business.

The first step in keeping your bathroom clean is knowing when it needs cleaning. And that's where we come in. We've created a handy list of things that need to be done regularly, so you can be sure your bathroom is always ready for guests or yourself.

Daily Bathroom Cleaning Tasks

We'll take a look at some of the most common daily bathroom cleaning tasks you can do to keep your space fresh and inviting.

Daily bathroom cleaning tasks
  • Clear off the counters. Always put things back where you found them, including makeup, hair accessories, and hygiene. This small practice of decluttering will do wonders for your disposition and the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom.
  • Wipe the sink and bathtub after each use. See to it that it is spotless, with no traces of toothpaste or other things you may have used.
  • Dry the shower doors and walls. After each usage, wipe off the shower's interior and exterior using a squeegee or towel.
  • Hang the damp towels and bathmats. Towels and mats should be hung up to dry after being used when wet. The time it takes to hang clothing up is minimal compared to the benefits you'll get in avoiding the growth of mould and mildew on your floor and avoiding an unnecessary load of laundry.
  • Wipe spills instantly.
  • Change hand towels regularly.

Weekly Bathroom Cleaning Tasks

We'll look at some of the most important tasks you should do each week to keep your kitchen in tip-top shape.

Weekly bathroom cleaning tasks
  • Empty the bathroom bin. Keep a stockpile of extra trash bags close by so you can swap them out quickly if you need them.
  • Wash the towels and cloth. Collect all bath towels, washcloths, hand towels, and bath mats and wash them thoroughly.
  • Vacuum bathroom rugs. If you don't have a vacuum, take your bathroom rugs and shake them outside to remove loose hair and dust.
  • Clean the mirrors. Use a microfiber cloth to polish for a streak-free and dust-free finish. Remember to clean the small mirrors for shaving.
  • Wipe down counterparts. Don't forget to clean the light switches, cabinet pulls, and door knobs. Use a disinfectant wipe or cleaner on every surface.
  • Clean and disinfect the sink.
  • Clean bathtub and shower. Soap scum and mildew growth can be removed by giving your shower enclosure a good scrub down, regardless of whether it's made of ceramic tile, fibreglass, or stone.
  • Clean and sanitize the toilet.
  • Check and replenish essential bathroom supplies. It includes toiletries and cleaning materials, and tools.
  • Unclog the drains. Bathroom drains are less likely to become clogged if hot water is used for flushing them regularly.
  • Sweep and mop the bathroom floors to remove dust, hair, and dirt.

Monthly Bathroom Cleaning Tasks

We will walk you through monthly deep cleaning tasks for your home, so you have an easy checklist to refer to when it comes time to get things spic-and-span.

Monthly Bathroom cleaning tasks
  • Organize bathroom cabinets and drawers. Toss out any cosmetics, cleaning goods, or medicines that have passed their expiration dates. Makeup brushes and other cosmetic products should be thoroughly disinfected between use.
  • Wash the bathroom bin.
  • Scrub a clogged showerhead. A dirty shower head can cause the water to spray erratically and will reduce the pressure of the shower, so you should clean it regularly.

Quarterly/Seasonal Bathroom Cleaning Tasks

Getting the kitchen clean can be a lot of work. That's why we've put together this list of quarterly/seasonal kitchen cleaning tasks that will help you stay on top of your game.

Quarterly/Seasonal bathroom cleaning tasks
  • Wash the shower curtain and liner. Toss these in the washing machine, but check the label first for special instructions. Use this opportunity to clean the rod and rings while they're in the tumbler.
  • Wash rugs and shower mats. Rugs may usually be machine-washed but check the label first to be sure.
  • Reseal surfaces. If you have granite or marble in your bathroom, you should reseal it every few months to retain its natural beauty at its finest.

Semi-Annual Bathroom Cleaning Tasks

If you don't have time to clean it right now, here are a few things that should be on your semi-annual cleaning checklist.

Semi-annual bathroom cleaning tasks
  • Clean the tiles and grout.
  • Clean the bathroom ventilation fan. Light switches and the cover of the ventilation fan should be cleaned. If you can't take the vent apart, dust it with a microfiber duster or the upholstery brush attachment on your vacuum. Verify that no dust, insects, or burned-out bulbs have settled into any light fixtures.
  • Dust the door and window. Wall spaces between doors and windows, as well as window sills and baseboards, should be dusted. Check cracks and crevices that could trap dust.
  • Do a quick inspection. Check under the sink and around the fixtures to find any hidden leaks or drips. You can avoid future expenditures and emotional distress by doing this.

Get Your Bathroom Sparkling Clean in No Time!

Get your bathroom sparkling and clean in no time!

Cleaning is one of those things that you never think you'll have time for, but once you do it, something about your place feels better. You can see the floor, and you don't have to worry about bugs or mould growing in the corners of your shower.

But cleaning a bathroom can be challenging, especially if it is your first time. It's essential to get it right so that you don't damage anything in your toilet or leave something out that could be harmful to your health, like bacteria-filled grime.

The good news is that plenty of great resources are out there- and we've compiled all the best ones into one handy guide. So whether you're looking for quick tips that will make your life easier or detailed instructions for cleaning every inch of your bathroom, this guide has got you covered. We even included a free printable bathroom cleaning checklist at the end so that you can easily reference what needs to be done next time!

Free Printable Bathroom Cleaning Checklist

We've created this free printable bathroom cleaning checklist to help you keep your bathroom sanitary and sparkling. Use it to check off each task as you complete it. Then, once you've completed the entire list, you'll know your bathroom is as clean as can be.

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Tags

Bathroom, Bathroom cleaning, Deep Cleaning, DIY, Expert Guide, Feature Article, How to, Ultimate Guide


About the author 

Florie Malapit

Contributing Writer at Sparkle and Shine Today. She is a freelance content writer with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, major in Marketing Management, and more than two years of blog and content writing experience.


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