How to Clean a Bathroom

I once believed that a person's cleanliness could be judged by their bathroom. That was before I had kids—including three little boys (I'll spare you the details). While I'm more humble about it now, I still feel that a bathroom's cleanliness greatly influences how clean a home feels overall. Isn't the bathroom always the first priority when guests are coming over?

Yes, scrubbing toilets is unpleasant, but other bathroom cleaning tasks can be just as challenging. From rust-colored bacterial growth to mildew, soap scum, grimy glass doors, and dirty grout—bathroom cleaning requires effort. Fortunately, the right cleaning strategies can make the job quicker, easier, and even somewhat enjoyable.

Whatever your bathroom situation at home, it doesn't have to be the dreaded chore we often make it out to be. Use this comprehensive guide to transform your bathroom from questionable to spotless in no time, with a nice sense of accomplishment as your reward.

A Few Things to Remember While Cleaning Your Bathroom

Before diving into the step-by-step process, here are some helpful strategies to guide you toward bathroom cleaning success:

1. Clean Dry Before You Clean Wet

If you immediately reach for sprays and rags when cleaning your bathroom, you're setting yourself up for frustration. Start by dusting—especially the toilet and baseboards, but also light fixtures, counters, and bathtub edges. This approach prevents you from creating sludgy mixtures of hair and dust when you start wet cleaning.

2. Save the Disinfectant for Where It Really Matters

While disinfecting every inch makes your bathroom feel and smell incredibly clean, there's no need to waste disinfectant on surfaces that don't require it. Reserve disinfectants for the dirtiest parts of the toilet, and use regular all-purpose cleaners or milder distilled white vinegar for everything else.

3. Don't Forget to Declutter

Unlike closets, bathrooms tend to prioritize cleaning over organization. However, a less cluttered bathroom is inherently cleaner. Try keeping items in cabinets or drawers to minimize dust accumulation. Discarding expired or unused products creates space for your frequently used items.

4. Gather Your Cleaning Arsenal

Assembling all necessary cleaning tools before starting is crucial for an efficient bathroom cleaning session. Keeping supplies in your bathroom helps maintain focus and complete the job as quickly as possible.

5. Clean Top to Bottom

This standard cleaning advice applies particularly well to bathrooms. By starting at the highest level and working downward, you avoid re-dirtying already cleaned areas. For example, if you wipe counters after mopping floors, you'll likely get your clean floors dirty again. With each cleaning type (dusting, wet cleaning, etc.), start at the top and work your way down.

11 Bathroom Cleaning Tools You Might Like to Have on Hand

Here's a basic list of products, tools, and cleaners for all your bathroom cleaning needs:

Microfiber rags: They collect dirt, shine surfaces, and don't leave lint on mirrors.
Glass cleaner: For crystal-clear mirrors and shower doors, choose a specialty glass cleaner that evaporates quickly without streaking.
Scrubbing powder: Baking soda works well for sinks, but you might need something stronger like Bar Keeper's Friend for stubborn spots in tubs and showers.
Vacuum cleaner: Have your vacuum ready with a nozzle attachment.
All-purpose cleaner: For shining faucets, wiping soap dispensers, and general cleaning.
Stone cleaner: If you have granite countertops, use appropriate cleaners to prevent damage. Vinegar and acidic cleaners can etch and dull granite.
Duster: An extendable duster helps reach light fixtures, door frames, and other hard-to-reach spots. Dusters also simplify cleaning baseboards and toilets.
Scrub pads and brushes: Use scrub pads for sinks and tubs, larger brushes for tub/shower surfaces, and detail brushes for faucets, drains, and tight corners.
Distilled white vinegar and dish soap: Inexpensive, non-toxic, and excellent for dissolving soap scum.
A plastic bag and rubber band: The perfect solution for cleaning grimy shower heads and bathroom faucets.
A squeegee: Helps achieve streak-free mirrors, windows, and glass shower enclosures.
Disinfectant: Whether spray or wipes, use sparingly on the toilet's dirtiest areas to maximize effectiveness without waste.

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

This 11-step cleaning checklist outlines a thorough weekly bathroom cleaning that takes about an hour:

1. Vacuum and Remove Bathmats and Towels

Vacuum bathmats and rugs to remove dust and dirt. Take all mats and towels to the laundry room. You'll want bare floors for optimal cleaning and can replace freshly washed linens when you're finished.

2. Dust and/or Vacuum From Top to Bottom

Use your duster or a dry microfiber cloth, starting with the highest surfaces. Include light fixtures, countertops, the toilet's exterior, and baseboards. A stick vacuum works well for the toilet exterior, baseboards, and floors.

3. Clean Glass and Mirrors

Lightly mist mirrors and glass shower enclosures. Wipe with a microfiber cloth or lint-free material like an old t-shirt or coffee filter. Flip your cloth to the clean side and buff to a dry shine, or use a squeegee for streak-free results.

4. Shine Faucets and Fixtures

Use your glass-cleaning cloth with more glass cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner to wipe sink and shower/tub fixtures. Clean dirt from fixture seams with a small brush and wipe these areas clean.

5. Clean Soap Dispensers and Other Countertop Items

After dusting, it's time for wet cleaning. Use all-purpose cleaner and a cloth to wipe soap dispensers and other countertop items like jewelry dishes or vases.

6. Clean Counters

For granite countertops, use a granite-specific cleaner to maintain their appearance. Otherwise, use all-purpose cleaner. Complete this step before cleaning your sink, as you'll inevitably knock dirt and dust into it while wiping counters.

7. Scrub Sinks and Tubs/Showers

Sprinkle baking soda or Bar Keeper's Friend into sinks and tubs. Use a damp, non-abrasive scrubber to clean thoroughly, starting from outer edges and working toward the drain. Clean around drain edges and plugs with a scrub brush. Rinse completely to remove all dirt and cleaning product residue.

8. Clean the Toilet

Give the toilet one final dry wipe-down. Spray the exterior with cleaner and wipe from top to bottom, progressing from least to most dirty areas. Next, open the toilet, spray the inside of the lid, and clean the top and bottom of the seat. Spray the rim on top and sides. Finally, add baking soda or toilet cleaner inside the bowl and clean thoroughly with a toilet brush. Position the brush between rim and seat with the lid open to drip dry.

9. Clean Floors

Begin with baseboards, giving them a quick wipe. Then clean the floors—in small spaces, a rag with all-purpose cleaner may be easiest. Don't forget the area around and behind the toilet base, where dirt tends to accumulate.

10. Disinfect Where Necessary

Only disinfect after cleaning. Use disinfecting spray or wipes on high-touch areas and particularly dirty spots, including cabinet handles, faucet handles, doorknobs, and toilet seats. Consider disinfecting any over-splash areas on floors or walls near the toilet.

11. Do the Finishing Touches

Empty the trash and wipe down its lid if applicable. Refill soap dispensers to prevent running out at inconvenient moments. Stock toilet paper and other necessities. Replace clean bath mats and hang fresh towels.

If You Need a Deeper Clean: Do These Tasks Monthly or Every Few Months

While the weekly checklist maintains good condition, certain areas require deeper cleaning less frequently:

Washing shower curtains and liners: These can harbor mold and bacteria. Both plastic and cloth curtains can typically be machine washed.
Scrubbing tile and grout: Clean tile monthly and grout three to four times yearly, depending on bathroom conditions. Use DIY cleaner or Bar Keeper's Friend with a scrub brush for grout.
De-scaling shower heads: Fill a bag one-third full with distilled white vinegar and water. Attach to the shower head with a rubber band and leave for several hours or overnight. Remove, scrub any remaining dirt, and run water through the shower head.
Cleaning under toilet hinges: This hidden area traps debris and requires seat removal for proper cleaning. Particularly important if you notice persistent odors in your "clean" bathroom.

Removing soap scum: Combine distilled white vinegar, a squirt of dish soap, and warm water. Apply to glass shower doors and fixtures with soap scum buildup. Let sit for 30 minutes, then wipe down. Finish with glass cleaner to eliminate any streaks.