The Ultimate Bathroom Checklist: How To Clean Your Bathroom

No one likes ticking off the bathroom on their chore checklist. 

The mere thought of cleaning the bathroom is enough to make you feel grossed out and queasy. Imagine kneeling on the floor for hours to get rid of grime, mould and gag-worthy dirty grout in the most germy space in your home. Not to mention that it takes almost an hour to clean but only seconds to taint. 

Throw one steamy shower and voila—you can expect the room to be bacteria-ridden again in just a few minutes. 

It’s not surprising that some homeowners would rather call cleaning services to do the job for them. A weekly bathroom cleaning might not always be possible, especially when your schedule is packed to the brim.

But learning how to clean a bathroom isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Like any other chore, it’s manageable when it’s broken down into small tasks. The next thing you know, you’re loving the way the tub sparkles and the mirror shines!

Without further ado, let’s begin discussing how to clean a bathroom, what mistakes to avoid and how to keep things efficient & easy! Let’s get started below.

How To Clean A Bathroom: The Ultimate Checklist

When it comes to freshening up a bathroom, it helps to keep a list and keep track of what you’ve spruced up. We also recommend working from ceiling to floor so you don’t mess up the just-cleaned surfaces. 

To help you get started, here’s an ultimate bathroom cleaning checklist you should follow:

Exhaust Fan

Your bathroom’s exhaust fan is the first line of defence against odours, airborne contaminants and excess moisture in the air. Without it, things can quickly turn sour in your bathroom, leading to peeling paint and rusting on metal surfaces.

And if it sounds like an aeroplane taking off once you flip the switch, it’s time to give it a good cleaning. Check out these tips:

Step 1: Turn Off The Breaker

Turn off the switch and the electrical breaker to the bathroom to avoid accidental shocks! If there are no windows, get a flashlight since the place will get pretty dark. 

Next, grab a sturdy stepladder to pull off the cover of the exhaust fan. Don’t stand on the toilet or the tub because you might slip and hit your head. Ensure the floor is dry or put a rubber mat under the stepladder if the fan is over the tub or shower.

Step 2: Clean The Vent Cover

Fill the sink or a bucket with hot soapy water, submerge the vent cover and let it soak for a few minutes. This will remove the buildup of hairspray, grime and dust, among other things.

Then, scrub the vent cover using a microfibre cloth or a brush. Rinse it in warm water, place it on an absorbent towel and let the cover air-dry before putting it back. 

However, if the cover has a light, refrain from completely submerging it in water. Just brush or vacuum off the dust and use a damp cloth to wipe it clean. Let it air-dry for a few minutes.

Step 3: Clean The Fan Blades And Motor

Detach the fan and motor assembly from the recessed housing by giving it a few twists. Next, grab a damp sponge or a microfibre cloth with water to wipe away the dust from the blades and motor. Make sure you do it lightly to avoid bending them. 

You can also use an electrostatic duster or a vacuum cleaner if the fan can’t be removed from the housing. Once done, wipe it with a damp cloth to get rid of any remaining dirt.

Don’t forget to dust the recessed housing as well. To remove trapped dust and insects in hard-to-reach corners, use the crevice tool of the vacuum. Be extremely careful so you don’t dislodge wires and permanently damage the fan. 

Step 4: Reassemble The Exhaust Fan

Once the components are dry and clean, return the fan and motor assembly back to the housing area. Depending on the model, reconnect them to the brackets or secure them with screws.

Turn the blades with your fingers to ensure they’re not hitting anything. And if the cover is completely dry, snap it back in place.

Step 5: Turn The Power Back On

Do a test run to make sure everything is working perfectly. Plug the fan into the outlet if needed, turn the electrical breaker on and switch on the fan. 

If you hear clicking sounds, slightly reposition the fan blades while following safety procedures. 

Tile Grout

No matter how shiny and sparkly your tub, mirror or showerhead is, your bathroom will still look filthy if you have dirty grout. Think of it like a sponge: grout easily absorbs grime, dirt and spills because it’s a highly porous material. This is why it’s susceptible to bacterial growth.

To clean tile grout, we suggest that you use something less harsh than bleach since it weakens grout more quickly. An alternative you may consider is mixing vinegar with baking soda to form a paste. 

Put an adequate amount of paste on the head of a toothbrush, gently scrub the grout and leave the solution for about 30 minutes. 

Once enough time has passed, rinse it off with clean water. You can also use a microfibre cloth to remove any residue. But if there are still signs of dirt, simply repeat the process and your grout should look good as new. 

Showerhead

There’s nothing more frustrating than your shower head only pouring out a trickle of water. It’s been days since the inconsistent water pressure began, and now you’re starting to question if you have a broken pipe that’s gone unnoticed. 

Chances are, your showerhead might just need a good cleaning. Keep in mind that water contains mineral deposits that can clog up nozzles, leading to poor water flow.

Fortunately, there are easy ways to keep it clean and shiny again. Here are two methods you can choose from:

Method 1: Cleaning A Shower Head Without Removing It

1. Fill a plastic bag partway with cleaning vinegar. Place the bag around the showerhead to completely submerge the fixture in the vinegar and fasten it with a rubber band.
2. Let the showerhead soak for one to eight hours. However, if it’s extremely dirty, leave the bag overnight. 
3. Before taking a bath, make sure that you run the shower first to flush out any vinegar and mineral deposits stuck inside the fixture. Then, use a microfibre cloth to polish the shower head.

Method 2: Removing And Cleaning The Shower Head

1. To detach the shower head without damaging the finish, use a wrench instead of pliers. 
2. Hold the fixture upside down and run it under a faucet to dislodge the debris inside. You can also use a toothbrush with soft bristles to get rid of stubborn water deposits.
3. For nozzles that still look clogged, use a paperclip, safety pin or a toothpick to poke the holes. Submerge the showerhead in cleaning vinegar to dissolve the remaining grime and water deposit. You can also add a dash of baking soda for an enhanced cleaning effect.
4. If everything has been cleaned and unclogged, rinse it with water to remove all cleaning agents. Dry it using a microfibre cloth before placing it back in the shower.

Bathtub

You probably look forward to soaking yourself in a hot bath after a long day at work. However, it’s pretty hard to give yourself a soothing time if there’s a soap scum ring around the perimeter of your tub.

Luckily, bringing your tub back to its glory can be done in several steps:

Step 1: Declutter

Before scrubbing your tub, you should declutter first. Remove children’s toys, loofahs, bottles, toiletries and anything else that you don’t want to get cleaning products on. This is also your chance to throw away anything you won’t use anymore.

Make sure you clean the items you’ve decluttered since they can accumulate slimy soap scum as well. Consider putting the bath toys in the dishwasher to ensure a squeaky-clean condition. 

Step 2: Clear Out The Drain

If it’s been more than a month since the drain was given attention, pour a half-cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow this with half a cup of white distilled vinegar. 

To dislodge the clogged drain, let the mixture do its magic for a few minutes before flushing it with hot water.

Step 3: Apply A Tub Cleaner In The Tub

Spray a tub cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner on the interior of the tub. Leave it for about fifteen minutes to break up the accumulated grime and dirt, making it easier to wipe and clean.

Next, use a sponge or a scrub brush to get rid of any remaining dirt. If you notice stubborn stains, don’t be afraid to apply elbow grease to it.

Step 4: Remove Soap Scum

Soap scum is a chalky residue that forms when soap combines with minerals in water. Cleaning it requires some extra effort, so you might want to grab an old toothbrush to get rid of them.

Start by spraying a cleaning solution onto the areas with soap scum. Pay more attention to corners, the area around the faucet and the drain, since they tend to collect more residue over time. 

To loosen the residue, leave it for 15 minutes. Using your old toothbrush, scrub away the soap scum until the residue is completely gone. Don’t forget to rinse the treated areas with warm water to remove remnants from the cleaning solution. 

Step 5: Scrub Away Remaining Stains

Sprinkle a dash of baking soda on the remaining stains and spray a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. Let it bubble for a couple of minutes.

Then, take a rag or sponge and scrub the stained areas until a paste-like consistency appears. Let the paste sit on the stains for approximately 15 minutes before rinsing it.

Step 6: Give Everything A Final Wipe-Down

If you’ve successfully removed all the stains, take a clean towel and thoroughly dry the bathtub. This will help you make sure that the tub looks spotless and free of any lingering moisture. 

Mirror

Bathroom mirrors are extremely hard to maintain when everything seems to be working against you. This includes fingerprints, dust, toothpaste specks and fogging that never seem to end. 

Cleaning a mirror can be easy and quick by wiping it with a cloth and glass cleaner. However, if you want everything to look crystal clear, here are the steps you should take:

1. Create a solution by mixing one part vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. We highly recommend that you use distilled water instead of hard water. However, if you’re using a commercial cleaning solution, start with the second step.
2. Spray the cleaner or the vinegar solution directly onto a clean cloth. Avoid spraying it directly on the mirror since it can seep behind the silver coating, leading to tarnish marks. 
3. Instead of using a circular motion, it’s advisable to wipe using the S-pattern technique for a streak-free clean. Using a microfibre cloth, start at the top of the mirror and work your way down to cover the entire surface with a swipe. 

Try not to backtrack over areas that are already cleaned. That way, you don’t redistribute dust and debris from your cloth back onto the surface.

Toilet

Here comes the hardest part: cleaning the toilet bowl. But before you put this task on the backburner again, there’s an easy way to remove toilet rings, funky smells and stubborn stains to keep the porcelain throne squeaky clean. Have your cleaning tools ready!

• Start by applying toilet cleaner inside the bowl and let it soak for the recommended duration. If you prefer to use vinegar as an alternative, pour a cup into the bowl and swish it around quickly using a brush.
• Spray an all-purpose disinfectant on the exterior of the toilet while you let the cleaner soak. You can also wipe it down with paper towels if the toilet is especially dirty.
• To clean the exterior surfaces, grab a scrub sponge. Don’t skip the floor and the base around it!
• Switch to a toilet brush to clean the interior of the bowl. Pay close attention to any hard water rings or stains that may be present. For stubborn stains, consider using a pumice stone to remove them.
• Don’t overlook the area under the rim where water pours out. Use a brush to clean it and ensure no remaining stains are left.

Moreover, we highly advise you to wear latex gloves to prevent direct contact with a cleaning agent and maintain hygiene. You should also keep the toilet seat lid closed so the water doesn’t splash everywhere. 

Sink

To effectively clean and disinfect your sink, follow these steps:

• To clean the bathroom sink, fill it with a few inches of hot water. Pour one or two cups of white vinegar and dish detergent.
• Scrub the mixture around the faucet using a cloth. Dip a cloth into the soapy water and wipe down the countertop. Place small items that need cleaning, like a soap tray or toothpaste cup, into the water. Allow everything to sit for at least 10 minutes.
• You can also use a vinegar-water mixture if you want a non-toxic cleaning solution. The acidity of the vinegar effectively cuts through lime deposits and soap scum. Spray the entire surface of the sink basin with the mixture and let it sit for about 30 seconds before wiping it with a clean cloth.
• Drain the sink and dry the items you soaked. Use a dry, clean cloth to wipe off the remaining water from the surface.
• Apply a disinfectant spray to disinfect the sink, ensuring the entire surface is thoroughly wet. Allow the disinfectant to sit for at least 10 minutes before wiping it away.

Of course, the best way to clean the bathroom sink depends on the material. For instance, if you have ceramic or porcelain sinks at home, you should never use abrasive cleaners since these can cause permanent scratches. We recommend that you do some research first to prevent any damage!

Floor

Finally, learning how to clean the bathroom floor tile can just bring back its immaculate-like state. Make sure that this is on the bottom of your home cleaning list since chemicals, dust and hair have likely fallen onto the floor.

Use a vacuum cleaner to pick up loose debris. Next, prepare a bucket of soapy water using mild detergent. Dip the mop into the soapy water and wring out excess moisture before mopping the floor. Don’t miss any spots!

If you’re planning to clean with bleach, ensure the room is well-ventilated.

Smart Bathroom Cleaning: A Time-Based Checklist

Before committing to a full cleaning project, we broke down tasks according to time frames so you can better allocate time and prioritise what needs to be done. Take a look at this checklist you can follow:

If You Have Ten Minutes

• Spray and wipe mirrors.
• Wipe down your faucet, counters and soap dispensers.
• Add some baking soda to your sink basin and give it a good scrub.
• Sprinkle baking soda in your toilet bowl and scrub it with a toilet brush.
• Dust the outside of your toilet and wipe down the outside.

If You Have 30 Minutes

• Use a small scrub brush to scrub around the faucet and around the drain in your sink.
• Clean your shower handle and straighten up items behind the curtain or shower door.
• Vacuum and wet mop the bathroom floors.
• Wipe down glass shower doors.
• Wash bath mats.

If You Have 60 Minutes

Do everything on the previous two checklists, plus:

• Clean your shower head.
• Clean soap scum from your shower walls.
• Scrub your bathtub or shower floor.
• Clean any windows and windowsills.
• Dust baseboards and the seam between the floor and the shoe moulding.
• Wipe down cabinets.
• Wash the shower curtain and liner.

4 Bathroom Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid For New Homeowners

Learning how to clean a bathroom isn’t a walk in the park, we all know that. Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to bathroom cleaning, it’s possible to make mistakes that can prevent you from making the most of your cleaning routine.

Don’t make this chore harder than it is. Check out these bathroom cleaning mistakes you should avoid:

Mistake # 1: Ignoring Hard-To-Reach Areas

Out of sight, out of mind, right? Not really. When it comes to bathroom cleaning, this saying should never apply here. A lot of homeowners make the mistake of ignoring out-of-sight or hard-to-reach areas like the top of cupboards, door handles and even the exhaust fan.

This is especially true when cleaning the toilet. We understand that it’s gross, but you have to clean around the base of the bowl. Bear in mind that this is the breeding place for germs and bacteria growth, so you need to clean it thoroughly.

Mistake # 2: Using Toxic Chemical Cleaners

There’s a common misconception that the more powerful a cleaning solution is, the better the results. However, this isn’t entirely true. 

If you take some time to read the warning labels, you might feel hesitant to buy and use them. Some of these products are so harmful that they can cause severe skin burns and nose irritation when fumes are inhaled.

What’s more, they can permanently damage surfaces like countertops and tiles. These chemicals are known for being abrasive and harsh; you’re better off using green cleaning products and any other eco-friendly cleaning solutions.

Mistake # 3: Using The Same Sponge Everywhere

Another common bathroom cleaning mistake you might make is using the same sponge to clean every surface. This will only cause cross-contamination, transferring the dirt and bacteria from one surface to another. Isn’t that counterproductive?

It’s better to use specific sponges or cloths for different cleaning purposes. For example, you have one for the bathtub, another for the toilet, and a separate one for mirrors and other surfaces.

Mistake # 4: Not Asking For Help 

Mastering how to clean your bathroom is a part of being a homeowner. You reduce the risk of infection and illness while making sure the room is well-maintained and pristine.

But let’s be honest: not everyone has the privilege to do the job themselves. This is especially true for remote workers, single parents and entrepreneurs who have little to no time to take care of household chores. 

It’s okay to ask for help. You can rely on home cleaning services to keep your bathroom germ- and mould-free as you focus on other aspects of your life without guilt. 

For example, we offer general cleaning, home disinfection and spring cleaning services. These services include bathroom cleaning, rubbish removal, regular dusting and many more. Depending on the scope of your household chore checklist, you might find something that suits what you’re looking for.

Final Thoughts

Nothing feels more satisfying than looking at a newly cleaned, sparkly bathroom. You can finally bask in the glory of your hard work, and what better way to celebrate than running yourself a hot, long bath?

And with this comprehensive bathroom cleaning checklist, giving your bathroom a makeover doesn’t sound too impossible anymore. You now have the power to create a safe and sanitised environment for your loved ones and guests!

But if you ever need help, our service packages have you covered. Whether you need bathroom cleaning, surface disinfection or kitchen cleaning, everything is tailored to your needs. 

Let our team of cleaning professionals lend a helping hand. Book a service with us and experience a whole new level of home cleaning today.

FAQs

How do you clean a bathroom?

To clean a bathroom, we recommend that you start from ceiling to floor to avoid spoiling just-cleaned surfaces. Here’s a checklist you can use to get started:

1. Exhaust fan
2. Tile grout
3. Showerhead
4. Bathtub
5. Mirror
6. Toilet
7. Sink
8. Floor

How often should I clean a bathroom?

A good rule of thumb is to clean your bathroom once a week. However, remember that it gets obvious when a bathroom needs to be cleaned. Pay attention to soap scums, gunky buildup around fixtures, poor water flow and dirty exhaust fan, among other things.

What mistakes should I avoid when cleaning the bathroom?

Here are some of the biggest bathroom cleaning mistakes you should avoid:

1. Ignoring hard-to-reach areas.
2. Using toxic chemical cleaners that can affect your health and bathroom surfaces.
3. Using the same sponge to clean everything
4. Not asking for the help of professional cleaning services.