Keeping your bathroom clean should be a top priority, as it is one of the most used rooms in your home. Bathrooms harbor germs that can cause illnesses, so proper cleaning is essential. This ultimate bathroom cleaning checklist provides a comprehensive guide to keeping your bathroom fresh and disinfected.
Supplies You’ll Need
Before tackling cleaning your bathroom, make sure you have the right supplies. Keeping these cleaning tools and products on hand will make cleaning easier and faster.
- All-purpose bathroom cleaner
- Toilet brush and plunger
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Shower spray cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Disinfecting wipes
- Microfiber cloths and sponges
- Rubber gloves
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Bucket
- Vacuum
Having the right tools makes a big difference in how efficiently you can clean your bathroom. Investing in quality supplies helps get the job done right.
Deep Cleaning Checklist
Set aside time each week to thoroughly clean your entire bathroom. Follow this detailed checklist to keep all surfaces fresh.
Clean the Toilet
The toilet tends to be the dirtiest place in the bathroom. Give it a deep scrub each week.
- Flush the toilet to wet the bowl first.
- Apply toilet bowl cleaner and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing. Use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl and underside of the toilet rim.
- Wipe down the outside of the toilet with a disinfecting wipe or spray cleaner. Get under the seat and on top of the tank.
- Flush again and put the toilet brush away to air dry.
Disinfect the Shower
Prevent soap scum and mildew from taking over your shower.
- Give the shower walls a spray with a shower cleaner designed to cut through soap scum. Let it sit before scrubbing off dirt.
- Use a soft scrub brush or sponge on shower walls and floor. Get into crevices and corners.
- Rinse thoroughly. Squeegee shower walls and glass doors after showering to prevent water spots.
- Hang shower curtains outside and hose them down to remove residue. Wash shower curtains in the washing machine periodically.
Clean the Sink
The bathroom sink can collect toothpaste globs, soap residue, and more.
- Wipe down the counters first, removing any clutter.
- Scrub the sink basin with baking soda and rinse thoroughly.
- Use a old toothbrush to scrub around the faucet and drain.
- Polish chrome sink fixtures with glass cleaner.
- Disinfect handles, knobs, and spout.
Dust Light Fixtures
Don’t let dust pile up on your bathroom lighting.
- Dampen a microfiber cloth and use it to wipe off each light fixture cover.
- Run a small vacuum attachment over vanity light bulbs to remove dust.
- Check for cobwebs in corners and wipe them away.
Sanitize Surfaces
Clean and disinfect all other bathroom surfaces.
- Wipe down the outside of cabinets and drawers. Remove knickknacks and disinfect.
- Use disinfecting wipes on countertops, windowsills, and the top of the toilet tank.
- Clean any glass shower doors with glass cleaner.
- Disinfect doorknobs, towel bars, and switch plates.
- Wipe down any vinyl shower curtains.
Scrub the Floor
Dirty floors can really detract from your clean bathroom.
- Sweep or vacuum the floor first to remove hair and other debris.
- Mix your all-purpose bathroom cleaner with hot water in a bucket. Mop the floors with the cleaning solution.
- Use a scrub brush on tile grout and corners to remove buildup.
- Rinse the floor thoroughly and let air dry.
Take Out the Trash
Don’t let garbage odors take over your bathroom.
- Empty the small trash bin in your bathroom daily. Replace the bag.
- Check under the sink and remove anything that has expired or is no longer needed.
- Discard old cleaning supplies and empty product bottles.
Restock Supplies
Look at what supplies are running low and replenish as needed.
- Toilet paper, facial tissue, and paper towels
- Hand soap and hand towels
- Shampoo, conditioner, razors
- Toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash
- Cleaning supplies
Replenishing things like soap and toilet paper keeps the bathroom fully functional for your household.
Quick Cleaning Checklist
In addition to your weekly deep cleaning, do a quick clean of your bathroom in between. This helps maintain tidiness.
- Give the toilet a quick scrub and wipe down.
- Use shower cleaner spray to prevent soap scum buildup.
- Wipe down the counters and sink.
- Sweep the floor.
- Re-hang damp towels to dry properly.
- Empty trash can.
Spending just 10-15 minutes a day on these tasks keeps the bathroom from getting too dirty. It’s much easier to maintain cleanliness than to scrub a severely dirty bathroom.
What to Clean Less Often
While some bathroom cleaning tasks should be done daily or weekly, other areas only need occasional cleaning. Here is what you don’t need to clean as often:
Tile Grout
Tile grout only needs deep cleaning every 6-12 months. Use a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and water to scrub the grout. Re-seal grout every 1-2 years.
Windows
Clean bathroom windows every 2-3 months. Apply glass cleaner and wipe dry with newspaper or a lint-free cloth.
Exhaust Fan
This often-forgotten spot only needs cleaning 2-4 times a year. Remove the cover and soak in warm soapy water before scrubbing and rinsing.
Medicine Cabinet
Wipe down the inside of your medicine cabinet every 4-6 months. Toss out any expired medications and clean shelves.
Under Cabinet Spaces
Look under bathroom cabinets every 3-4 months for dust and grime. Vacuum out cobwebs and debris.
Let the condition of these areas guide you on when they need cleaning. Be sure to check them periodically.
DIY Natural Cleaning Solutions
Many grimy bathroom messes can be tackled using natural ingredients you may already have at home. Give these recipes a try:
Baking Soda Scrub
Mix baking soda with just enough water to form a paste. Use to scrub sinks, showers, tile, and toilets.
Vinegar Spray
Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spritz on showers, mirrors, faucets, and counters.
Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfectant
Mix 2 cups water, 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Wipe down surfaces to kill germs.
Essential Oil Cleaner
Add a few drops of tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon, or lavender oil to an all-purpose spray cleaner. Provides natural fragrance.
Turning to items already in your pantry helps avoid exposure to harsh chemicals. Plus DIY cleaners cost just a fraction of what store-bought products do.
Bathroom Cleaning FAQs
For additional tips on keeping your bathroom spotless, see the answers to these frequently asked questions:
How can I make my bathroom smell fresh?
- Open windows regularly to let in fresh air
- Light candles or use essential oil diffusers
- Disinfect surfaces and scrub mildewy areas
- Hang drying bathroom towels and mats outside
How should I clean my glass shower door?
Use a squeegee to wipe the door dry after each shower. Apply glass cleaner to a microfiber cloth and buff away water spots weekly. Avoid using abrasive scouring pads.
What is the best way to clean tile and grout?
Use an old toothbrush and baking soda paste to scrub grime from tile grout. For deeper cleaning, try a steam cleaner. Apply grout sealer regularly to protect grout from stains.
How often should I sanitize my bathroom?
Wipe down frequently touched surfaces like faucets, handles, and light switches with a disinfectant daily. Deep clean the entire bathroom at least weekly.
What is the safest product for cleaning my shower?
Look for shower cleaners without bleach, ammonia, acids, and other harsh chemicals. Safer options include liquid castile soap, baking soda, or vinegar solutions. Always rinse surfaces thoroughly after cleaning.
How can I clean hard water stains?
Spray vinegar directly on hard water deposits on faucets and showerheads. Let sit for 15-20 minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse. Repeat as needed.
Conclusion
This comprehensive bathroom cleaning checklist guides you through everything that needs regular cleaning. Follow these tips to keep your bathroom fresh, sanitary, and free from nasty grime.
Be sure to deep clean all surfaces weekly using disinfectants. Quick clean problem spots like the toilet and shower daily. Check less often cleaned areas periodically.
With the right supplies and cleaning solutions, even the dirtiest bathroom can become sparkling clean. Consistent cleaning prevents odors and buildup that are harder to remove. Implementing these cleaning checklist best practices results in a fresh, germ-free bathroom everyone can enjoy.