People spend over hundreds of days of our lives in the bathroom. Whether doing makeup, showering or using it, it’s important to keep this space clean and hygienic. Hotspots for bacteria, bathrooms often top the charts as the germiest place in the house. However, with proper cleaning, you can make your bathroom a germ-free zone.
A Few Things to Remember While Cleaning Your Bathroom
Before cleaning, use these tips and strategies that will help you clean your bathroom better.
- Clean dry before cleaning wet
Dust first, especially the toilet and baseboards. Also, running your duster over light fixtures, counters and even the edges of the bathtub will make your work easier. You’ll be able to clean without making a wet sludge from the buildup of dust.
- Save the disinfectant for where it really matters
Don’t waste the strong stuff. Save the disinfecting for the dirtiest parts of the toilet, and use regular, all-purpose cleaners or milder distilled white vinegar for the rest.
- Don’t forget to declutter
If you can, try to keep everything you use either in cabinets or drawers to minimize dust. Getting rid of what you don’t use and what’s expired makes space for the things you always use and love to be accessible.
- Clean top to bottom
This standard cleaning advice applies to the bathroom just as much as to any other room. Starting at the uppermost level and working your way down ensures you won’t get your already clean areas dirty again.
For instance, if you wipe down your counters after you mop the floor, you’ll get the clean floors dirty again. Instead, with each new type of cleaning, such as dusting, wet cleaning and decluttering, start at the top and work your way down.
How to clean a bathroom — step by step
- Vacuum and remove bathmats and towels
Vacuum any bath mats or rugs you have in the bathroom to remove excess dust and dirt. Then wash and dry them.
- Dust and/or vacuum from top to bottom
Grab your duster or a dry microfiber rag and begin with the topmost level that needs to be dusted. This will include your light fixtures, the countertops, the outside of the toilet and the baseboards.
- Clean glass and mirrors
Spray your mirror and glass shower enclosure if you have one. Wipe them down with a microfiber cloth, then switch sides on your cloth and buff to a dry shine.
- Shine faucets and fixtures
Next, clean your faucets. You can use your glass-cleaning rag and more glass cleaner to wipe down the sink and shower/tub fixtures. Or you can use an all-purpose cleaner. Use a small scrub brush to clean dirt from the seams of fixtures and wipe these areas clean as well.
- Clean soap dispensers and other countertop Items
After dusting, it’s time to “wet” clean them. Use an all-purpose cleaner and a rag to wipe down your soap dispensers and any other items you have on the counter, such as a dish for jewelry or a vase.
- Clean counters
If you have granite countertops, use a granite cleaner to keep your counters looking their best for the long run. It’s important to do this step before you clean your sink because you will knock dirt and dust into your sink when you wipe down counters.
- Scrub sinks and tubs/showers
Sprinkle baking soda in your sink and tub, if applicable. Use a moist scrubber to scour the sink and tub, including the rims. Start at the outer edges and work your way toward the drain. Use a scrub brush around the edges of the drain and drain plug. Rinse thoroughly to remove all remaining dirt and cleaning product residue.
- Clean the toilet
The correct order to clean a toilet is to start by cleaning the outside area before you can get to the bowl, inside of the lid, and the seat. For good measure, give the toilet one last dry wipe down. Then spritz the outside with cleaner and wipe down from top to bottom. Work your way from the least dirty to the dirtiest parts of the toilet.
Once you finish the outside, open the toilet and spray down the inside of the lid and the top and bottom of the seat. Spray the rim on the top and sides. Last, sprinkle some toilet cleaner into the toilet and use a toilet brush to clean all around the inside. Leave the lid open so that the brush can dry over the toilet.
- Clean floors
Start with cleaning the baseboards. Give them a quick wipe down. Then wipe the floors. Don’t forget the space around and behind the base of the toilet, where dust and dirt tend to collect.
- Disinfect where necessary
You should only disinfect once you’ve already cleaned. Take a disinfecting spray or wet wipes and use them on especially germy areas, such as cabinet and faucet handles, door knobs and the toilet seat.
- Do the finishing touches
To complete your bathroom-cleaning session, empty the bathroom trash can and wipe the lid down if it has one. Refill your soap dispensers. Make sure toilet paper and other necessities are well-stocked. Replace your washed and dried bath mats and hang fresh towels.
