How to Clean Your Bathroom in 5 Steps

By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.

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Updated on 03/14/23
Reviewed by
Becky Rapinchuk
Becky Rapinchuk headshot, cleaning RB
Reviewed by Becky Rapinchuk

Becky Rapinchuk is a natural cleaning expert, home-keeping expert, and founder of the lifestyle brand, Clean Mama. She has published 4 best-selling books on cleaning.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Closeup of a person wearing cleaning gloves scrubbing bathroom tile with a sponge

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 20 - 30 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins - 2 hrs, 30 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10 to 20

A bathroom gets lots of use and is usually one of the most dreaded rooms to clean. But, it actually can be one of the simplest to clean, as almost all bathroom surfaces are impermeable to stains and stand up well to cleaning products.

By following these five steps, you can have a clean bathroom in no time. Read on for our guide to cleaning your bathroom.

How Often to Clean a Bathroom

A bathroom should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a week to reduce bacteria and odors. However, by spending less than five minutes each day, that weekly cleaning can take just 15 to 20 minutes. Do these simple tasks every day:

  • Wipe down the sink and countertop with a quick spray of your preferred disinfecting cleaner and a cleaning cloth.
  • Quickly wipe down the toilet handle and seat with a disinfectant wipe.
  • Return all items to their proper spot instead of leaving them scattered across the counter.
  • Use a squeegee or a towel to dry shower enclosures or the bathtub.
  • Hang towels to dry and place all dirty laundry in a hamper.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 1 toilet brush
  • 1 soft-bristled nylon scrub brush
  • 1 broom and dustpan or vacuum
  • 1 mop
  • 2 to 2 microfiber cloths

Materials

  • 1 container disinfectant wipes
  • 1 container toilet bowl cleaner
  • 1 container bathroom cleaner
  • 1 container glass cleaner
  • 1 container floor cleaner
  • 1 disposable duster

Instructions

Tools and materials needed to clean a bathroom

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

How to Clean Your Bathroom

  1. Clear the Surfaces

    The bathroom will be easier to clean if you clear items from the surfaces.

    • Pick up any towels, bath rugs, or laundry that is on the floor and put them in a hamper.
    • Clear the vanity countertop as much as possible
    • Gather and remove the products in the shower or sitting along the edge of the tub.
    • Remove the trashcan and any decorative items.
    Clearing bathroom surfaces for cleaning

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  2. Start Dry and at the Top

    Removing dust and loose dirt from surfaces will make cleaning easier. No need to push that dirt around.

    • Use a disposable duster to dust light fixtures and the bathroom exhaust fan.
    • Dust off the shower rod or top of the enclosure and towel bars.
    • Dust the window sills, door frames and trim, and baseboards.
    • Dust the top of the toilet tank, shelves, and counters.
    • Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove hair and loose dirt.
    Drying bathroom surfaces prior to cleaning

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  3. Let the Cleaning Products Do Their Job

    You will have less scrubbing to do if you let the cleaning products do their job first. They need time to work before you start scrubbing.

    • Spray the shower/tub so the cleaning product can begin the process of breaking the bond between the soap scum and the surfaces.
    • Add the toilet cleaner to the bowl.
    Cleaning a bathroom mirror with glass cleaner

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  4. Clean Each Room Surface

    • Start by cleaning the vanity countertop, the sink(s), and faucet hardware with an all-purpose bathroom cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Don't forget to check and clean the front of the vanity or sink for smudges and dirt. Replace any products you removed before starting to clean.
    • Use a glass cleaner and a lint-free microfiber cleaner to clean the mirror.
    • Go back to the shower/tub area and scrub the walls, floor/tub, and plumbing fixtures. Rinse well. Don't forget the shower door track if you have one and for a glass enclosure, use a squeegee or towels to dry it completely so there will be no water spotting. Replace any shower products you removed before cleaning the area.
    • Now, scrub the toilet. Use a brush and scrub the bowl and under the bowl rim. Use disinfecting wipes to clean the handle, seat, and outside of the toilet.

    Tips

    If you haven't cleaned the bathroom for quite some time, learn how to tackle and solve these problem areas:

    Spraying a shower with bathroom cleaner

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  5. Mop the Floor

    Use the appropriate floor cleaner for your bathroom floor (wood, ceramic tile, natural stone) and mop the floor.

    Allow it to dry and replace the trash can, freshly washed towels and bath rugs, and decor.

    Closeup of a person mopping a bathroom floor

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Tips to Keep a Bathroom Clean Longer

  • Wipe down the sink to remove toothpaste splatters and dirt daily.
  • Dry the shower stall and doors with a towel or squeegee after every use to prevent water spots and mildew growth.
  • Clean out medicine cabinets, vanity drawers, and cabinets at least seasonally to get rid of expired and half-used products.
  • Install extra towel bars to keep wet towels off the floor.
  • Wipe down frequently touched surfaces like door knobs, light switches, and toilet handles daily with a disinfecting wipe.
9 Places in Your Bathroom That Are Especially Dirty