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How to clean your gross bathroom in 20 minutes flat

Veronica Sparks
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You want your bathroom to be pristine, but it sees a lot of use throughout the week. While it’s best to freshen as you go to prevent a build-up of dirt and grime, sometimes it just needs a deep clean. The thought of diving into the sink, toilet, and shower can be a bit overwhelming, though, especially at the end of a long week.

Take a deep breath — there’s no need to fear. By tackling your dirty bathroom in stages, you can clean your bathroom, from top to bottom, in 20 minutes flat. We’ll walk through all the tips and tricks you need to scrub your bathroom and still have time left on your podcast.

transitional style bathroom
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What you’ll need

  • Rubber cleaning gloves
  • Paper towel or washable rags
  • Scrubber sponges
  • Toilet brush
  • Toilet cleaner
  • All-purpose cleaner with bleach
  • Window cleaner
  • Tile cleaner/mildew remover
  • Broom
  • Mop and bucket
  • Floor cleaner
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How to clean a bathroom step-by-step

In general, it’s best to clean your bathroom in stages. You’ll first apply cleaning agents that need to sit for a few minutes, and, while they soak, start on the least germy areas and work your way to the filthiest spots. Leave your bathroom floor for last since cleaning other areas may result in dust and dirt falling onto the floor.

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Before you clean

  1. Spray down your tub or shower with soap scum and mildew-fighting spray. Let it sit.
  2. Pour toilet bowl cleaner along the insides of the bowl all the way up to the under-lip and let it sit.
  3. Remove any items from your countertop and the top of your toilet tank.

Easy-breezy: mirrors, windows, and countertop

  1. Spray windows and mirrors with window cleaner and use a paper towel or streak-resistant rag to wipe them clean.
  2. Spray your countertop, sink bowls, and sink fixtures with a bleach cleaner, then wipe all the areas clean. Don’t forget to wipe down the underside of the counter’s edge.

Tackle the toilet

  1. Use a toilet brush to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl, paying special attention to the under-lip of the bowl. This is where mineral deposits and mold tend to collect.
  2. Spray all areas of your toilet (except the inside of the bowl) with bleach cleaner, from the top of the tank to the underside that meets the floor. Then, wipe it clean, starting with the outside of the tank, then move to the lid, seat, outer rim of the bowl, and finally the outside of the toilet.

Make your shower sparkle

  1. Once the tile cleaner has set for five to ten minutes, cleanse your shower using a scrubber sponge. Clean in a top-down direction, starting with the shower walls, followed by the shower fixtures, and finally the tub. Turn the shower on and rinse all areas until no more soap runs down the drain.

Final steps: the floor

  1. Use a broom to sweep your bathroom floor and remove all clumps of dust and hair.
  2. Spray floor cleaner onto the corners of the floor as well as around the area where the toilet meets the floor. These areas tend to collect a lot of grime over time, so spend a little extra time cleaning these spots with a scrubbing sponge.
  3. Fill a bucket with warm water and floor cleaner and mop the remainder of the bathroom floor.
Lookat at the sink of the bathroom and the beautiful and simple accessories.
Maria Orlova/Pexels

Tips to keep your bathroom clean

  • Keep the countertop clutter-free and wipe it clean daily. If your countertop is full of clutter, chances are you won’t give it a wipe down very often. Store all of your toiletries and cosmetics in drawers, cupboards, or wire baskets on the counter. Keeping your countertop clear makes it much easier to give it a daily clean.
  • Store extra cleaning supplies in the bathroom. Make daily or weekly maintenance easy by keeping cleaning supplies stored close by.
  • Buy a daily shower cleaner spray. These handy shower sprays are easy to use, and they keep your shower walls and curtain clean for longer. Simply give your shower a good spray after every use — you don’t even need to wipe or rinse the spray for it to work.
  • Clean your toilet bowl daily. The inside of your toilet bowl gets gross pretty quickly. Keep it clean by scrubbing it daily with a few drops of toilet bowl cleaner and a brush. We recommend installing a daily toilet cleaner that releases a cleaning agent every time you flush.
  • Use a disposable bag in the garbage can. Lining the garbage can with a disposable paper or plastic bag makes disposal quick and easy. Keep some extra bags stored in the bathroom so you remember to replace the liner.

Your bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in your home, which means it’s usually the first to accumulate dirt and grime. Cleaning the bathroom can be a daunting task, particularly if it’s been a while since the last good deep clean. By following this step-by-step guide and keeping up with daily cleaning habits, your bathroom can maintain its sparkle every day.

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Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks
Contributor
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
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