The Ultimate Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
9 minute read
Let’s face it, bathroom cleaning is one of the least exciting tasks for anyone. Although we appreciate a well cleaned, fresh bathroom, very rarely do we look forward to cleaning it.
Timely cleaning all areas of the home is essential in extending their lifespan and making sure that your home stays spotless. By spending a few minutes tidying things around the house, we can avoid any unruly clutter and, bigger and more expensive repairs.
Bathrooms are the most frequently used areas of the home, but often get neglected when it comes to cleaning. The grim water spots, dirt in the grout, lime-scale stains can turn into repairs that need immediate attention. They are also a hotspot of illness-causing germs, bacteria, and foul odors.
Neat freak or not, we’ve broken down some simple task lists that you can do every day, once a week and once a month, to make sure your restrooms stay sparkling clean, all year long.
Bathroom cleaning supplies
Before we move to the task lists, here are some bathroom cleaning essentials that you’ll need:
- Bathroom cleaning gloves
- Bathroom cleaning brush
- Vacuum & mop
- Squeegee
- Disinfecting spray
- Bathroom cleaning kit, (Floor, toilet bowl, and windows), here is an all in one set.
- Bathroom cleaning wipes & microfiber cloths
- White vinegar and baking soda or cleaning solutions.
PRO-TIP
Storing all the cleaning essentials in a caddy or a bucket will make cleaning easier.
1. Daily Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
It may seem daunting at first, but cleaning daily up after using the bathroom will take away the mountain of work later. Here are 5 basic cleaning tasks that won’t take more than 10 minutes of your time.
Use a squeegee & wipe down surfaces
After showering, clean and dry the tiles with a squeegee to prevent soap scum and water stains from building up. This will also avoid any slipping mishaps. Along with this, wipe down the taps, bathtubs, and showerheads with a soft cloth.
Dry the towels and bathmats
Instead of throwing the towels on the floor after bathing, run them for a few minutes into the dryer. Also hang them up on the rails, along with bathmats so they dry quickly. This would not only keep them fresh and dry for your next shower but also prolong their life.
PRO-TIP
Follow the wash and care instructions on the towels to dry them, to avoid damaging them.
Use exhaust fan
To keep the bathroom free of humidity and mildew, turn on the exhaust fan before you shower. This is a simple practice that has remarkable results – no mildew buildup on shower curtains, crisp, fresh air in the bathroom, and no water droplets on the ceiling due to condensation.
Declutter the countertops
Spend a few minutes after you get ready or before bed, to arrange all your toiletries, cosmetics, medicines, etc. back in their place. This quick task will not take much time but will keep your bathroom organized so you are not scrambling for things in the morning rush.
Empty trash cans
Taking out the trash every few days will make sure that your bathroom stays fresh and free of bacteria. Make it a habit to empty the trash can regularly. You can drop a few cotton balls with a few drops of essential oil at the bottom of the wastebasket to cut down odors and keep your bathroom smelling good all day.
Here are some more helpful daily bathroom cleaning tips:
- Change the hand towels every few days since they get dirty quickly.
- Sprinkle baking soda in the toilet and flush it in 10 minutes for a stain-free, clean toilet.
- You can rub lemon on taps to wipe off water stains.
- Close your shower curtains
2. Weekly Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
Weekends are for relaxing, sleeping in, and gearing up for the week ahead. Just like we recharge ourselves on the weekend, we need to prepare our home for the same. Meal prep, laundry, and some basic cleaning around the house can take away a lot of undue stress throughout the week. Here are 5 things to do weekly for a clean bathroom.
Disinfect the toilet
Weekly toilet cleaning is a must. Not only do you want it to be sparkling, but also germ-free. Here are some toilet cleaning steps and tips.
- Step 1 – Start with a toilet cleaner (liquid) and leave it on for 20 minutes. Pop in a few disinfectant tablets in the water as well.
- Step 2 – While the toilet cleaner does its work, clean and dust the lid and tank with a sponge or microfiber cloth.
- Step 3 – Now, use a stiff-bristled toilet brush and scrub the bowl, and around the inner rim, then flush. Later, spray the toilet with a disinfectant. It is advisable to keep the exhaust fan on during the cleaning process, to air out any fumes.
PRO-TIP
After cleaning the toilet, disinfect the toilet brushes with an anti-bacterial spray.
Clean the basin sink
Your bathroom sink is one of the first places to show signs of grime and daily use.
- Step 1 – Clean the sink with a mild detergent liquid or foam. Let it rest for a few minutes before washing it off.
- Step 2 – Spruce up the sink and bathroom faucets with a disinfectant wipe and finish off with a damp cloth.
- Step 3 – Do not forget to wipe behind the faucet knobs. Here are some additional information to for every cleaning task for sinks.
PRO-TIP
Clean the sink drain by sprinkling baking soda in it, followed by distilled water white vinegar.
Clean the countertops
Bathroom countertops collect dust, dead skin, and water splatter throughout the week. Hard limescale stains, soap residue, and makeup spills can leave your countertop stained.
To clean the countertop like new, clear, and give it a deep clean by following these steps:
- Step 1 – Start by clearing the counters, removing the soap dishes, organizers etc.
- Step 2 – Using an all-purpose mild bathroom cleaner, scrub the countertop.
- Step 3 – Then wash and wipe with a soft cloth.
PRO-TIP
You can consider using a warm soapy water solution for quick cleaning.
Unclog the Drains
Slow drains could be a warning sign of clogged pipes, and if left unattended, they could lead to severe blockages and costly repairs. The slower the water runs down the drains, the higher are the chances of clogs.
To keep your drains running freely, pour baking soda weekly followed by white vinegar down the drain, and then flush with hot water. You can also use this gel clog remover from Home Depot.
- You could drop a couple of antacids into the drain to melt away the gunk.
- Lemon soda is also recommended to remove unpleasant odors.
- Keep a vacuum cleaner handy for daily cleanup of the dirt and debris from the floor.
PRO-TIP
Install a hair catcher in the drain to avoid buildup in the drains.
Give everything a wipe down
Once a week, dust and wipe down all the doorknobs, mirrors, faucets, shower mirrors, and shelves. Arrange your medicine cabinets, refill soap and shampoos if needed.
Finish off with the Floor
Lastly, finish off your weekly cleaning by mopping the bathroom floor. Read the label on your cleaning solution to find the best-suited, non-abrasive cleaning solution to avoid damaging the floors.
PRO-TIP
If you have ceramic tiles, linoleum floors, or vinyl, use a bleach solution.
3. Monthly Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
There are always a few bathroom essentials that do not require regular cleaning. So in addition to the above weekly tasks, here are some tasks that you need to take care of only once a month.
Wash the shower curtains
There is a high chance of mildew and mold growth on bathroom curtains and liners due to excess moisture. To keep your curtains in good shape, give the curtains a spin in the washing machine along with other bathroom cleaning rags and mats. You can also add some baking powder during the wash cycle to clean them gently.
PRO-TIP
Do not put plastic shower curtain in the dryer, instead, air dry them.
Scrub the shower heads
If you live in an area that has hard water, then excess minerals in the water can clog the shower heads and leave tough stains. To keep the showerheads unblocked of mineral deposit:
- Step 1 – Fill a plastic bag with a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution and submerge the showerhead inside it.
- Step 2 – Secure the bag with a rubber band and leave the solution bag on the showerhead overnight.
- Step 3 – The next day, scrub the shower head with toothpaste and rinse off with water.
Just like showerheads, you can clean your bathtub with the vinegar solution for a spotless shine.
Clean the ventilation fans and light fixtures
Once a month, give the exhaust fans and light fixtures a thorough cleaning. This would keep them free of dust, mold or bugs, and work efficiently.
If your fan ducts and fixtures are removable, remove them and submerge them in hot soapy water overnight to melt away grime and dirt. Then gently scrub, rinse and dry before reinstalling them.
Rearrange the cabinets
Another simple task to keep clutter at bay is to go through all your products and medicines in your vanity, and throw away the ones not needed anymore/ expired. Arrange the makeup brushes, dispose medicines as directed and refill anything as needed.
We also recommend getting a professional inspection of your bathroom annually for any unseen damage or repairs.
PRO-TIP
Throw your soap dishes and toothbrush caddy in the dishwasher.
Yearly Bathroom Cleaning
As a bonus, here are some tasks that only need to be done once every year, in addition to the tasks above.
Reseal the grouts
During annual home maintenance, scrub and reseal all the grouts along with the countertops with a grout sealant, per the manufacturer’s directions. This would ensure all countertops stay fixed and sealed, with no space for mold, bugs, or dust.
A clean and organized bathroom will not only keep you healthy but also improve your mood and productivity. By making bathroom cleaning a routine task, you will never have to spend hours cleaning up a messy, smelly bathroom ever.
