The Ultimate Bathroom Cleaning Checklist

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.

Rhea Mehta, PhD, is an award-winning toxicologist who has worked to empower people to lead healthier lives, starting in their homes, for over a decade. Rhea holds a PhD in Toxicology, with over 15 scientific publications, and a certificate in integrative health coaching.

Bathrooms need plenty of attention to keep them clean. Since the bathroom serves as the catch-all for cleaning our bodies and holding our soiled clothes in a warm, damp environment, it is the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive unless it's cleaned correctly and regularly. Use this checklist to keep the bathroom consistently sparkling clean and smelling fresh.

What You Need

Supplies

• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• All-purpose bathroom cleaner
• Distilled white vinegar
• Baking soda
• Disinfecting wipes
• Trash bags

Tools

• Toilet brush
• Spray bottle
• Squeegee
• Sponges, microfiber cloths, or paper towels
• Scrubbing brush
• Broom and dustpan or vacuum
• Mop
• Bucket
• Towels
• Stepladder (optional)

Daily Cleaning

Wipe Down Fixtures

Use a disinfectant wipe or sponge to wipe the counters, faucets, and sinks after each use to remove splatters and spills. Always use a second, fresh wipe to clean any drips on toilet seats or floors.

Dry Shower Walls and Doors

After each shower use a squeegee or towel to wipe down the walls of the shower stall and doors or the tub to help prevent soap scum build-up and water spotting. Close the shower curtain so it will dry more quickly.

Hang Damp Towels and Bathmats

Tip

Change hand towels daily since they are shared and become dirty quickly. This is especially important if someone in the household has a cold or virus.

Weekly Cleaning

To make the best use of your time, start at the top of the room and work your way down. Save the bathroom floor for last so you can capture any drips or messes made while cleaning.

Tip

Read the directions on all bathroom cleaning products. You'll have better results if you give the products time to work. Apply them and wait at least five minutes so they can begin to break apart the dirt making it easier to wipe away. More patience means less scrubbing.

Wash Towels and Bathmats

Gather and wash all towels, washcloths, hand towels, and bath mats. If you have small throw rugs, take them outside to shake out hair and dust. Check the care label, but most are washable. Allow the rugs to air-dry to prevent damage to the rubber backing.

Clean and Disinfect the Toilet

Add a commercial toilet bowl cleaner to the bowl. Give it a quick swish and then close the lid to allow the cleaner time to work. Wipe down the exterior of the fixtures with a disinfectant wipe or with a sponge and multi-purpose bathroom cleaner. Tackle hard water stains weekly for the easiest removal. Finish by scrubbing the interior of the bowl—don't forget to clean under the rim—and then flush.

Clean the Shower or Tub

Whether you have a ceramic tile, fiberglass, or stone shower stall, it should be thoroughly cleaned weekly to remove soap scum and any mildew problems on surfaces. The same products that clean the shower can be used on a tub. Remove hair from drains and address any clogs before they become worse. If you have a shower curtain, use a damp cloth to wipe down the shower rod and curtain rings to remove dust and soap scum residue.

Clean the Sink and Counter

Remove everything from the top of the sink and counter. Use an all-purpose bathroom cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and a few drops of vinegar in a spray bottle to remove dried-on cosmetics, toothpaste, and grime from every surface. Rinse well with plain water and dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots. Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain immediately followed by a 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to help loosen residual clogs and sludge.

Tip

Wipe Down Light Switches, Cabinet Handles, and Door Handles

Clean light switches, hardware, and handles well with a disinfecting wipe or cleaner. Light switches and the wall around them get lots of smudges and grime. Cabinet hardware and door handles can be breeding grounds for germs and bacteria.

Clean Mirrors

Clean mirrors with a commercial glass cleaner or spray on some distilled white vinegar. Shine with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks and dust residue. Don't forget small hand and shaving mirrors.

Empty the Trash Can

Empty the trash can. If you use trash bags, keep several extras in the trash can for easy replacement.

Clean the Bathroom Floor

Sweep or vacuum the bathroom floor to remove hair, dirt, and dust after everything else is done. Clean the floor as recommended for ceramic, stone, and vinyl tile, or laminate flooring.

Monthly Cleaning

Depending on how much use your bathroom gets, do these tasks monthly or seasonally. Take a bit of time to check these items and do a bit of deep cleaning.

Dust Door Jambs, Window Ledges, and Baseboards

Look up and down at spots that can catch dust. Grooming products like hairspray can cause surfaces to become sticky and attract more dust than in other rooms.

Clean Ventilation Fan Cover and Light Fixtures

Using a sturdy step ladder, use a screwdriver to remove the vent cover, if possible. Fill the sink with hot water and a bit of dishwashing liquid. Add the vent cover and allow it to soak for 10 minutes. Wipe away grime with a soft cloth or scrub brush. Dry completely and reassemble. If the vent cannot be removed, use the upholstery brush attachment of your vacuum or a microfiber duster to remove dust. Check light fixtures for dust, dead insects, and burned-out bulbs. Clean as needed.

Clean Out Drawers, Vanity Cabinets, and Medicine Storage

Go through beauty, cleaning, and first aid supplies and toss any expired products. Dispose of unused medications properly. Clean makeup brushes and beauty tools well to kill bacteria. This is a good time to sort towels and other linens and make a list of what needs to be replaced.

Clean a Clogged Showerhead

If your showerhead is sputtering and the water flow is weak, it should be cleaned. With just some distilled white vinegar, the mineral deposits and soap scum can be easily removed.

Clean the Trash Can

If you don't use trash can liners, the bottom of the trash can be a petri dish. Use hot water, a multi-purpose cleaner, and a scrub brush to give it a good cleaning.

Wash the Shower Curtain and Clean Window Treatments

If you use a shower curtain, it and the plastic liner should be washed monthly. Clean curtains, shades, or blinds to remove dust and any stains.

Do a Quick Inspection

Take time to look under the sink and around fixtures to catch any small leaks or drips. This will save you money and heartache later. Check each area (use a flashlight, if needed) for any mold and mildew growth and eradicate it immediately.

The order to clean a bathroom is similar to other rooms. Declutter, remove garbage, then clean areas and surfaces from top to bottom.

A housekeeper typically cleans a bathroom by spraying surfaces thoroughly with a favorite commercial cleaner and letting the chemicals sit for a few minutes to work. Meanwhile, the toilet is cleaned inside and out. Surfaces are then wiped down, dried with microfiber cloths or paper towels, and then the floor is finally mopped.

A bathroom should be cleaned frequently. Many things need to be wiped down or scrubbed daily, other tasks, such as washing the floor, should be done weekly. Deeper cleaning can be handled monthly or seasonally depending on how much you use the space.