The Ultimate Bathroom Cleaning Checklist

Essential Bathroom Cleaning Tools and Supplies

Stock up on these tools cleaning supplies and products for easy and effective bathroom cleaning.

• Toilet Brush: A toilet brush with an extended plastic handle allows you to scrub hard-to-reach spots inside the toilet bowl. Look for one with stiff, sturdy bristles.
• Plunger: A rubber plunger makes quick work of loosening and clearing clogged drains and toilets. Choose a large, bulb-shaped one for maximum suction power.
• Microfiber Cloths: Microfiber cloths are ultra-absorbent and gentle enough for mirrors, faucets, tiles, and more delicate surfaces. Durable and machine washable means you can use them for years.
• Terry Cloth Cleaning Rags: Thick, absorbent terry cloths excel at buffing and polishing during and after cleaning. The lint-free fabric also works well with cleaning products.
• All-Purpose Bathroom Cleaner: Multi-surface bathroom cleaners quickly cut through soap scum, mineral deposits, mold, and mildew stains in tubs, showers and sinks. Look for non-toxic plant-based options. Add to a spray bottle for controlled application to surfaces.
• Disinfecting Wipes and Sprays: Disinfectant wipes and sprays kill 99% of germs for sanitizing highly-touched areas like toilet handles, faucets, doorknobs, and light switches. Great for quick daily sanitization.
• Baking Soda: Baking soda’s abrasive texture helps scrub away stains and buildup but is still gentle enough for porcelain and chrome surfaces. Mix into a paste for lightened grout, scrubbing basins, and freshening drains.
• White Vinegar: An acidic vinegar solution cuts through soap scum, hard water scale, and dirt, plus neutralizes mineral deposits and odor buildup. Use alone or in spray cleaner recipes.
• Tile & Floor Cleaner: One multi-purpose tile cleaner saves money compared to buying grout cleaner, bathroom surface cleaner, and floor cleaner separately. Pine gel or foaming spray types cling to vertical tiles.

According to the American Cleaning Institute, having the proper cleaning tools and products readily available makes a thorough cleaning of the bathroom easier and faster.

Common Bathroom Cleaning Challenges

Tackle pesky bathroom cleaning challenges like:

Soap scum buildup: Residue from tap water, shampoos, and soaps leave behind thin layers of film on tiles, glass doors, fixtures, and bathtubs if not cleaned regularly.

Mold and mildew: The warm, humid environment of bathrooms makes the perfect breeding ground for mold, fungal, and bacteria growth manifesting in dark spots along caulking, ceilings, walls, and tile grout lines.

Grime in grout lines: Dirty grout traps grime and also appears darker over time with mildew growth. Badly stained and discolored grout is difficult to restore to a like-new appearance but keeping grout lines clean prevents severe buildup.

Mineral deposits on chrome: Hard water creates white, yellow, and lime crusty mineral deposits on faucets, shower heads, and other bathroom metalwork over time diminishing shine.

Bad odors: Standing water, shedding hair and general use inevitably lead to unpleasant bathroom odors arising from sink and shower drains.

Based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bathrooms should be cleaned at least once a week to prevent the spread of infections.

DAILY Bathroom Cleaning Tasks

Make these quick and simple tasks part of your nightly or morning bathroom routine for consistently clean space.

Spray and Wipe Down Surfaces

Spritz mirrors, counters, faucets, and walls with bathroom cleaning solution and wipe down with a microfiber cloth. Air dry any wet spots using the bathroom ventilation fan.

Disinfect High Touch Surfaces

Prioritize cleaning toilet flush handles, faucets, sink basins, doorknobs, and light switches with EPA-registered disinfectant. Let sit to fully kill bacteria.

Check and Restock Supplies

Look at soap, shampoo, and toilet paper levels to see if a bathroom supply re-stock is needed from the linen closet or pantry.

Tidy Up Clutter

Return stray toiletries and personal care items to storage. Wipe down containers and bottles as needed while putting everything back in designated drawers or bins.

Sweep and Mop the Floor

Clear dust, and remove loose dirt, hair, and debris using a microfiber or dry mop floor sweeper. Spot mop areas around the toilet and sink using disinfectant floor cleaner.

WEEKLY Bathroom Cleaning Checklist

These tasks don’t need daily attention but should be done weekly for the best results.

Scrub the Toilet

Use a pumice stone or toilet brush to lift stains inside the toilet bowl. Flood bowl with toilet cleaner gel to dissolve hard water deposits and mineral buildup under the toilet rim. Let sit before scrubbing and flushing.

Dust Light Fixtures and Corners

Reach often-missed dust bunnies using paper towels or a microfiber duster wand. Run the damp cloth over the light switch plates and bathroom vent hood exterior.

Clean Mirrors and Windows

Spray glass cleaner onto microfiber cloth instead of hand towels or directly on mirrors to avoid streaks. Wipe windows until fully clear and polished then buff dry with a fresh towel.

Scrub Sink and Faucet

Remove stuck-on toothpaste globs and hair strands from the sink by scrubbing basin grooves with an old toothbrush. Shine up metal faucets using baking soda paste.

Clean Floor by Toilet

Mop the floor area around and behind a toilet using disinfectant cleaner. Make sure to get into grout lines and corners thoroughly. Allow to air dry before the replacement of any bathroom floor mats.

Wash Trash Can and Mats

Use gloves when removing bathroom garbage bags. Wash bin with bathroom disinfectant solution, rinse then allow to dry fully. Throw bathroom floor mats and rugs in the washing machine.

MONTHLY Deep Cleaning Checklist

Tackle these heavy-duty cleaning tasks once a month to keep all your bathroom floors and surfaces sparkling clean.

Scrub Shower and Bathtub

Spray foam bathroom cleaner onto surfaces, and let soak for 5 minutes to allow lifting of soap scum loose dirt, and hard water stains before scrubbing clean with a microfiber cloth or cleaning brush. Rinse thoroughly.

Clean Glass Shower Doors

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Lightly spray onto glass then wipe down using a lint-free microfiber cloth in overlapping circular strokes to eliminate spots and streaks. Squeegee excess water.

Brighten Grout

Make a paste of baking soda and water thick enough to cling to grout lines. Apply wearing gloves then let sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing clean with an old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly then wipe excess water using a lint-free cloth.

Dust Ceiling Vents and Lighting

Stand on a sturdy stool to reach bathroom vent fan covers in need of dust removal. Use microfiber duster attachment to dust light fixtures to remove dust, dirt, and debris buildup over time.

Deep Clean Vanity and Drawers

Take everything out of vanity drawers and cabinets then wipe down all interior surfaces removing dust, grime, and product spills. Polish or restain vanity wood if marked up or water-damaged.

Scrub Doors and Wall Trim

Dampen terry cloth rag or scrub brush in a solution of vinegar water and scrub from top to ceiling along all bathroom doors glass shower doors and wall trim to remove soap scum and dirt accumulation.

Vacuum Exhaust Fan Covers

Unscrew and remove plastic vent fan covers if possible. Use a narrow vacuum crevice tool to clean away dust buildup on fan blades and motor casing. Wipe the vent cover clean before replacing it.

Clean Under Vanity and Toilet

Pull the vanity and sink away from the wall to access plumbing and hidden debris accumulations. Sweep and mop the floor then disinfect thoroughly once fully dry.

Regular Maintenance Cleaning Tasks

Stay on top of maintenance cleaning jobs:

• Keep exhaust fan covers and vents dust-free
• Prevent clogged shower drain hair traps – clean regularly
• Check caulking and grout for needed re-application
• Promptly spot clean walls and baseboards
• Dry bathroom surfaces after use to minimize soap scum

Handy Bathroom Cleaning Tips

• Use bathroom ventilation fan during and after showering
• Squeegee glass shower doors after each use
• Pour boiling water weekly down sinks to keep drains clear
• Clean walls bottom to top and dry quickly to prevent streaks
• Monthly task – launder or replace shower curtain liners

Bottomline

Bathroom cleaning comes down to daily maintenance like disinfecting surfaces everyone touches and doing monthly deep cleaning tasks to control hair and soap scum everywhere, mineral deposits, and mildew growth over time. Stick to a routine cleaning schedule, store supplies together in a handy caddy, and your bathroom stays sparkling clean with little effort.