Scrubbing the toilet and bathtub doesn’t usually top most people’s list of favorite chores, but knowing how to clean a bathroom the right way can help make the job easier. After all, cleaning the bathroom is one of the most important parts of maintaining a clean home.
As a cleaning expert, I developed a quick bathroom cleaning routine to streamline this often dreaded chore. In addition to that 10-minute cleaning system, you’ll find everything you need to know to deep clean a bathroom when it is called for. We’ve even got instructions for tricky deep-cleaning jobs, such as the right way to clean grout and tips for how to clean bathroom windows.
How to clean a bathroom in 10 minutes flat
Experts recommend cleaning the bathroom on a weekly basis. This means you can regularly address messes as they happen, from soap scum buildup to tumbleweeds of hair, instead of letting them turn into ones that require deep cleaning to tackle.
Ahead, you’ll find a basic weekly bathroom cleaning routine to follow, including the specific order in which to work. Working in the right order will save you time and energy by allowing the cleaning products to do a lot of the work for you. Here’s how to clean a bathroom in just 10 minutes, using just two products, four tools and a smart strategy.
Step 1: Spray foaming cleaner in the tub, sink and toilet bowl
A foaming bathroom cleaner like Scrubbing Bubbles is the workhorse of this process, but only when used correctly. Shake the can and apply a thin layer of the foam cleaner to the tub, the sink basin and surrounding surface area, and the toilet bowl. Allow the product three to five minutes to penetrate surface grime.
Step 2: Wipe down the mirror(s) and exterior of the toilet with a multisurface cleaner
While the foaming cleaner is working, use a multisurface cleaner to wipe the mirror(s) and the exterior of the toilet, including the seat. (While foaming cleaners can be used on the exterior of the toilet and the seat, they can cause discoloration to some plastics.)
Spray the multisurface cleaner on paper towels or a microfiber cloth and polish the mirror(s) to remove fingerprints, toothpaste spittle and airborne residue from grooming products. Then, use the same method to wipe the exterior of the toilet, starting at the top of the tank and working down, ending with the pedestal and floor area around the toilet.
Pay particular attention to the two highest-touch spots on the toilet: the flusher and the seat, including the underside. With the seat still flipped up, wipe the space between the bowl and the tank, where buildup tends to collect.
Step 3: Scrub the toilet bowl with a brush
Having allowed time for the foaming cleaner to penetrate buildup in the toilet bowl, use a toilet brush to scrub the rim of the bowl. Then, flush the toilet and scrub the rest of the bowl, letting the brush and the flushing water work together to wash away bacteria and buildup.
Step 4: Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the foaming cleaner off the sink and shower/tub
Use a wet microfiber cloth to wipe the sink basin and shower/tub, rinsing it frequently while you work so that both the cloth and the water are working in tandem to wash away the foaming cleaner.
Step 5: Sweep and spot clean or damp mop the floor
Because so much hair tends to accumulate in a bathroom, start by sweeping the floors with a rubber broom to pick up hair and residue from products like dry shampoo and medicinal powders. If there are visibly dirty areas, you can spot treat them using the multipurpose spray and microfiber cloth.
For a quick all-over clean, secure the damp microfiber cloth to the broom’s bristles using a rubber band to fashion a wet mop without having to switch tools; the multipurpose cleaner can double as a mopping solution on most flooring materials if needed.
Scrubbing Bubbles is a foaming bathroom cleaner. It quickly penetrates and breaks down product buildup such as toothpaste spittle, soap scum and residue from products like hair spray and dry shampoo without requiring a lot of scrubbing on your part.
Windex's multisurface cleaning spray cleans both glass and chrome, so you can use it to polish mirrors and faucets. It also works as an all-purpose cleaner that can be safely used on countertops and flooring materials from Corian and formica to granite and marble.
Microfiber cleaning cloths are essential when it comes to bathroom cleaning. They are highly effective at picking up dirt, grime and buildup because the smaller microfibers can clean more surface area per square inch than cotton and other materials.
While microfiber is the best choice for cleaning soap scum and globs of toothpaste, paper towels also play an important role when quick cleaning the bathroom. If cutting back on paper waste is a priority, a dry microfiber cloth can take their place.
How to deep clean a bathroom
Deep cleaning a bathroom differs from routine, weekly cleaning. It typically involves monthly, quarterly or annual tasks like washing windows, scrubbing grout, disinfecting trash cans, laundering shower curtains and liners, and performing maintenance on vents and exhaust fans. Organizing and purging expired and/or unused products is also an important part of deep cleaning a bathroom.
As with the quick-cleaning routine, the order in which to work when deep cleaning a bathroom does matter. If you’ll be cleaning molding, baseboards, windows and other areas where dust and other buildup collects, do those first. Because of gravity, dust and debris that is disturbed while deep cleaning will move downward and land on surfaces, so it’s best to do those deep-cleaning jobs first.
Clean the toilet
Any toilets that are used regularly should be cleaned once a week, according to Bill Strang, the president of corporate strategy, e-commerce and customer experience at Toto USA. Toilets that are used less frequently, such as those in guest bathrooms, do not need to be cleaned weekly but still should be cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of waterborne bacteria, mineral deposits and dust. Strang recommends cleaning infrequently used toilets once a month. Here’s how to clean a toilet the right way:
- Apply a bowl cleaner to the toilet bowl, and allow time for it to work while you turn your attention to the rest of the toilet.
- Clean the top and sides of the tank with an all-purpose disinfecting spray and a microfiber cloth, or a premoistened cleaning wipe. Wipe the top and sides of the tank to remove buildup and bacteria, paying particular attention to the flusher.
- Clean the toilet seat and ring using an all-purpose disinfecting spray and a microfiber cloth, or a premoistened cleaning wipe. Wipe the top of the seat, the underside of the seat and the ring where the seat rests and where splashback can pool.
- Clean the skirt or base of the toilet, as well as the floor and walls around the toilet, using an all-purpose disinfecting spray and a microfiber cloth, or a premoistened cleaning wipe.
- Clean the toilet bowl using a toilet brush, paying particular attention to the lip if you have a box-rim-style toilet.
There are a number of toilet cleaners available, including formulas that range from gel and liquid to powder cleansers and drop-in tablets. To help you sort out which product is best for your needs, check out our guide to the best toilet cleaners.
A toilet brush is an essential tool for cleaning a toilet. Choose one with a holder so there's a place to store it when it's not in use.
“Cleaning a toilet can be messy,” Strang says, “and rubber gloves can protect your hands from germs and bacteria.”
Clean the tub and shower
Regular, routine cleaning is important when it comes to showers and tubs, where soap scum and bacterial buildup can form quickly. “I recommend cleaning your tub and shower at least every other week to prevent buildup of soap scum and mildew,” says Katie Dills, a senior vice president of The Cleaning Authority.
Showers that are used frequently by multiple people may need to be cleaned more often. Julie McKinney, the global director of microbiology and virology at Reckitt, says, “I would recommend cleaning your bathtub once a week and disinfecting it every few weeks. This all depends on how many people use it and whether it’s a regular occurrence.”
Follow these steps to clean your shower the right way:
- Remove all personal care products, grooming tools and any other items stored in the shower or bathtub and set them aside.
- Spray all surfaces and walls with a tub and shower cleaning agent.
- Allow the product to sit for a few minutes to penetrate soap scum, bacteria and other buildup. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions prior to use for guidelines on how long to allow the product to work for optimal results.
- Use a wet microfiber cloth to wipe the entire surface of the tub and shower, starting with the walls and working down to the tub or shower basin. Rinse the cloth with clean water as needed. Use a long-handled tool, if needed, to clean hard-to-reach areas.
- Rinse and/or wipe the surfaces clean and, if necessary, use a scrub brush or a nonabrasive sponge to tackle corners and grout lines.
Before choosing a shower or tub cleaner, know the fabrication to ensure you pick products that are safe to use on those materials. Lysol's bathroom cleaner is safe to use on acrylic, porcelain, enameled steel, fiberglass and cast-iron surfaces.
Remove soap scum and bacterial growth like mildew and mold from grout, joints and the tracks of sliding glass doors with this brush set.
If you have a hard time reaching all the areas of your tub and shower or are looking to make deep cleaning easier, use a long-handled electric scrub brush for the job.
Clean the sink and vanity, including mirrors
To keep the bathroom looking tidy, it’s especially important to clean the bathroom sink, vanity and mirror(s) weekly, following these steps:
- Take everything off the vanity and set it aside.
- Spray the counter and sink basin with a cleaning agent that’s safe for those materials. (FYI: Marble, granite and other natural stone surfaces should not be cleaned with acid-based cleaning agents, such as vinegar or products that contain lemon, to avoid pitting and other damage to those surfaces.)
- While the cleaner penetrates soap scum, bacteria and buildup on the vanity and in the sink basin, use a dry microfiber cloth or paper towels and glass cleaner to clean the mirrors.
- Use a wet microfiber cloth to wipe the countertop and sink basin. Rinse the cloth with clean water as needed.
- If necessary, use a scrub brush or a nonabrasive sponge to tackle buildup like stubborn, stuck-on toothpaste. A melamine stain-removing sponge like the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can help remove stains.
The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Ultra Thick is a more durable and longer-lasting eraser sponge designed for use on tough messes, including removing stains from makeup and other personal care products on bathroom vanities.
Use a glass cleaner to polish mirrors and remove smudges, fingerprints, residue from personal care products and that dreaded toothpaste spittle.
Clean the floors and baseboards
Primary bathrooms are considered high-traffic areas, so the floors should be swept and mopped weekly. Bathrooms used less often can be mopped once a month. You should clean baseboards every one to three months, or on an ad hoc basis.
Cleaning and maintaining flooring of all types — including hardwood floors, tile and grout, and carpets — is straightforward, but there are things to avoid when it comes to caring for them. Our guides to floor care feature expert advice on the best products for the job, and the right techniques to use to ensure the deepest clean possible.
To clean baseboards, use a dry microfiber cleaning tool (such as a cloth or a microfiber mop) to remove dust and use damp microfiber tools for wiping away grime, splatters and other more stubborn buildup.
Dotti's broom-and-dustpan set is made from durable silicone, which is ideal for picking up hair. Other types of brooms tend to cling to hair, making them hard to clean, so it's best to use silicone or rubber brooms in hairy spaces.
Our pick for best mop, the O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop combines a hands-free wringing bucket with a lightweight, triangular mop head that’s perfect for both mopping and spot-scrubbing on any surface.
Even with regular cleaning and care, tile and grout floors can become dingy as foot traffic drives dirt, dust and grime into the porous grout. The Bissell SteamShot is a handheld steam cleaner and sanitizer that is an incredibly powerful cleaning tool — especially for use on grout.
Launder shower curtains and liners, bath mats and hand towels
Laundry isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when we think of deep cleaning the bathroom, but shower curtains and liners, as well as bath mats and hand towels, do need to be cleaned regularly. Shower curtain liners should be cleaned at the first sign of mold or mildew growth — but to prevent it in the first place, you should clean the liners every one to three months.
“Liners are nonporous and usually some type of plastic material,” says Wayne Edelman, president of Meurice Garment Care. “In order to clean properly, they should be sprayed at the tub level with a multipurpose cleaner before washing on a cold, gentle setting with minimal extract.” While any multipurpose cleaner will do, you may find that spraying the liner with a cleaner formulated specifically for use on mold and mildew, and wiping it with a damp microfiber cloth, does the job on its own.
If you do choose to launder a shower curtain liner in the washing machine, it is critical to know that you must not put it in the dryer. The heat will melt the plastic liner, making a huge mess of your dryer. “Once the cycle is finished, it should be hung back on the rod rings to air-dry,” Edelman says.
If your bathroom towels — including bath mats and hand towels — need some TLC, our guide to washing towels will provide all the information you need.
Most fabric, plastic and vinyl shower curtains and liners can be cleaned in the washing machine. Plastic shower curtain rings can go in the wash too; place them in an extra-large zippered mesh washing bag and wash them alongside towels to prevent damage.
Dryer balls help to fluff up your towels and machine-washable fabric bath mats and speed up drying time.
Clean the trash can
Even when a liner is used, bathroom trash cans need to be cleaned to keep odors and bacteria at bay. Clean them when spills happen or odors develop, or you can plan to do so every one to three months.
Start by throwing out the garbage, then use a cleaning rag or sponge to wash the interior and exterior with hot, soapy water. Rinse and dry the trash can and, if disinfecting is called for, use a disinfectant spray like Lysol.
Dish soap is the best cleaning agent to use to wash trash cans, though any mild soap or all-purpose cleaner will do.
A disinfecting spray can be used afterward to eliminate lingering bacteria and odors. It's a smart idea to disinfect trash cans after someone has been sick.
Using liners in bathroom trash cans makes taking out the garbage easier — and it makes cleanup easier in the event of spills.
Clean the windows
When deep cleaning a bathroom, don’t overlook cleaning the windows, because it’s a job with a lot of payoff at the end.
Katie Jennings, a senior research manager at Seventh Generation, recommends using a microfiber cloth to clean your windows. “First, go over the window and seal with a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust,” she says. “This will remove large debris. Then spray with a glass cleaner and wipe from top to bottom for a streak-free shine.”
Remove the cleaning solution with a squeegee or a clean, lint-free cloth. Here’s another tip for avoiding streaks: “You should never clean glass in direct sunlight, as the heat from the sun can cause the cleaning fluid to dry, which will result in streaks or water spots,” says Drew Pavlacky, a technical leader at Andersen Windows & Doors.
After dusting, use a glass cleaner like Windex to polish windows to a streak-free shine.
A squeegee will leave your windows sparkling clean and free of streaks, unlike cloths that can leave behind lint.
Don't forget to clean window casings and moldings, where hair and debris from makeup and grooming products build up. There are lots of surprising uses for a vacuum cleaner, including using soft brush attachments to deep clean windows.
Clean and maintain vents and exhaust fans
Bathrooms that lack ventilation cause all sorts of problems beyond just smelling gross (although that is certainly a problem all on its own!). Cleaning the vents and fans in your bathroom helps keep airflow moving, reducing not just odors but also the presence of mold, mildew and Serratia marcescens, aka “pink mold.”
A telescoping microfiber duster can help you clean exhaust fans that are mounted up high.
If your bathroom doesn’t have adequate ventilation, a desiccant like DampRid can help. It absorbs water from the air, helping to regulate humidity and moisture levels and keep moisture-borne odors like mold and mildew at bay.
Organize and dispose of expired or outdated products
Cleaning and organizing are different jobs, but the two often go hand in hand, and for good reason: Organized spaces are easier to clean than cluttered surfaces. Nowhere is this more true than in the bathroom, where airborne particles from styling products like hair spray and dry shampoo to toilet plume settle onto surfaces.
The space under the bathroom sink is prime storage real estate, but it can easily turn into a jumbled mess of bathroom supplies, cleaning products and grooming tools. We’ve rounded up the best under-sink storage and organization options available for every need — from styling tools to cleaning products.
Speaking of those cleaning products! Over time, cleaning products and tools can turn into clutter and, instead of helping you clean, become a hindrance. If cleaning products and tools have taken over all your storage spaces, making it impossible to get to the things you need, it may be time to add organizing your cleaning supplies to your bathroom cleaning checklist.
In a bathroom, a rolling cart can be used to store toilet paper, hairstyling tools, cosmetics and toiletries. This storage cart has a smaller footprint than similar models typically have, making it perfect for bathrooms that are tight on space.
Because every under-sink area has a different configuration to account for plumbing hardware, look for expandable shelves that can be adjusted to fit around pipes and other fixtures.
3M’s Command product line is beloved by many organizing experts, and they especially love these hangers designed to hold spray bottles that can help you organize your cleaning supplies.