A step by step guide to help you clean your bathroom effectively
Updated: Aug 27
Cleaning your bathroom regularly is essential for maintaining a fresh, hygienic and comfortable home. From removing soap scum and limescale to keeping your toilet, shower, sink and bathroom floor clean, having a simple routine can make the job much easier.
If you're wondering how to clean a bathroom effectively, this step by step bathroom cleaning guide takes you through everything you need to know, including the cleaning supplies you need, the best order to clean your bathroom and useful tips for keeping it cleaner for longer.
Bathroom Cleaning Checklist: What You Need
Before you start cleaning, gather everything you need. Having your bathroom cleaning products and equipment ready can save time and prevent you from having to stop halfway
through.
Bathroom Cleaning Products
You may need:
All purpose or bathroom cleaner
Disinfectant cleaner
Glass and mirror cleaner
Toilet cleaner
Limescale remover
Grout cleaner where required
Bathroom Cleaning Equipment
Useful cleaning tools include:
Microfibre cloths
Sponges
Scrub brushes
Toilet brush
Broom and dustpan
Mop
Steam cleaner, if appropriate for your surfaces
Old toothbrush for hard to access areas
Rubber gloves
Bucket
Always check the manufacturer's instructions before using cleaning products, particularly on delicate surfaces, and never mix cleaning chemicals.
How to Clean a Bathroom Step by Step
Following the right cleaning order can make bathroom cleaning quicker and more effective. Start by removing clutter and loose dirt before moving on to surfaces, sanitaryware and floors.
1. Remove Clutter from the Bathroom
Start by removing towels, bathmats, toiletries and other personal items from the bathroom.
Clear the sink, bath and shower area so you can clean all the surfaces properly. Put towels and bathmats in the wash if necessary.
This simple first step gives you more space to work and helps you avoid cleaning around objects.
2. Dust and Remove Loose Dirt
Before using sprays and cleaning solutions, remove loose dust, hair and dirt.
Dust shelves, cupboards, light fittings and other surfaces. Sweep the bathroom floor, paying particular attention to corners and areas around the toilet.
Removing loose debris first prevents it from becoming wet and turning into additional grime.
3. Pre Treat the Bathroom Surfaces
Apply an appropriate bathroom cleaner to areas that need additional attention, such as the sink, bath, shower walls and tiles.
Allow the product to work for the recommended amount of time stated on the label. This can help loosen soap residue, grime and other deposits, making them easier to remove.
4. Clean the Mirrors and Glass
Cleaning mirrors and shower glass can make an immediate difference to the appearance of your bathroom.
Use a suitable glass cleaner and wipe the surface with a clean, lint-free microfibre cloth.
For shower screens, pay particular attention to areas affected by water marks, soap residue and limescale.
5. Clean the Sink, Taps and Worktops
Wipe down your sink, countertop and surrounding surfaces using a suitable bathroom cleaner.
Scrub areas where toothpaste, soap and grime have accumulated.
Don't forget to clean around the taps and plughole, as these areas can quickly collect dirt and residue.
A small brush or old toothbrush can be useful for cleaning around taps and other awkward areas.
6. How to Clean a Toilet Properly
The toilet should be an important part of your regular bathroom cleaning routine.
Apply toilet bowl cleaner according to the product instructions and allow it to work for the recommended time.
While it is working, clean the outside of the toilet, including:
The toilet seat
Lid
Flush handle or button
Cistern
Base of the toilet
Areas around the toilet
Use a toilet brush to scrub inside the bowl, paying attention to underneath the rim.
Finish by wiping down the surrounding floor and nearby surfaces.
7. Clean the Bath and Shower
The bath and shower can accumulate soap scum, body oils, hair and limescale over time.
Clean the bath or shower tray, paying attention to areas where water and cleaning products collect.
For the shower, clean:
Shower walls
Tiles
Grout
Shower screen
Showerhead
Taps
Plughole
Shower tray or bath
If you are wondering how to remove soap scum from bathroom surfaces, using an appropriate bathroom cleaner and allowing it sufficient contact time can help loosen stubborn deposits before scrubbing.
8. How to Clean Bathroom Tiles and Grout
Bathroom tiles can usually be wiped down as part of your normal cleaning routine, but grout may require additional attention.
Use a suitable tile or grout cleaning product and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
A small detailing brush can help reach grout lines and other narrow areas.
Regular cleaning is generally easier than allowing dirt and residue to build up over a long period.
9. Clean the Bathroom Floor
Once the other areas have been cleaned, move on to the floor.
Sweep first to remove hair, dust and loose debris. Then mop the floor using a suitable floor cleaning product.
Pay particular attention to:
Corners
Around the toilet
Behind the door
Along skirting boards
Around the bath and shower
Allow the floor to dry appropriately before replacing bathmats and other items.
10. Disinfect High Touch Areas
As part of your bathroom cleaning routine, remember to clean frequently touched areas.
These can include:
Door handles
Tap handles
Toilet flush buttons
Cupboard handles
Use an appropriate disinfectant product according to the manufacturer's instructions.
11. Empty the Bathroom Bin
Empty the rubbish from the bathroom bin and replace the bin liner.
Wipe the inside and outside of the bin if necessary, particularly if anything has leaked or spilled.
12. Replace Towels and Restock Bathroom Supplies
Once everything has been cleaned, return your bathroom items to their usual places.
Replace clean towels and bathmats and restock essentials such as:
Toilet paper
Hand soap
Shower products
Cleaning supplies
Try to avoid putting unnecessary items back on worktops, as clear surfaces are easier to clean next time.
How Often Should You Clean Your Bathroom?
How often you need to clean your bathroom depends on how frequently it is used and the size of your household.
A quick clean of frequently used areas can be carried out regularly, while a more thorough bathroom clean can be scheduled weekly or as needed.
Bathrooms used by larger households may require more frequent cleaning than bathrooms that are rarely used.
Regular maintenance can help prevent the accumulation of soap scum, limescale, dirt and unpleasant odours.
How to Keep Your Bathroom Clean for Longer
Once you've completed a thorough bathroom clean, a few simple habits can make it easier to maintain.
Wipe Down Wet Surfaces
Wiping down shower screens, baths and other wet surfaces can help reduce the amount of water residue left behind.
Keep the Bathroom Ventilated
Good ventilation can help reduce excess moisture and condensation. Use an extractor fan where available and follow normal ventilation practices for your bathroom.
Don't Let Clutter Build Up
Keeping toiletries organised makes bathroom surfaces easier to clean.
Clean Small Areas Regularly
Rather than waiting until dirt has accumulated, deal with small spills, toothpaste marks and other mess as they occur.
When Does Your Bathroom Need a Deep Clean?
A regular bathroom clean helps with day to day maintenance, but occasionally your bathroom may need a more intensive clean.
A deep bathroom clean can be useful when there is a significant dirt, soap residue, limescale or grime, or when a property has not been cleaned thoroughly for some time.
This can involve paying additional attention to areas that are often overlooked, such as behind sanitaryware, skirting boards, fixtures and hard to reach areas.
If cleaning the entire bathroom feels overwhelming, professional cleaners can take care of the more time consuming work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bathroom Cleaning
What is the best way to clean a bathroom?
The best approach is to work systematically. Remove clutter first, remove dust and loose dirt, clean surfaces, sanitise the toilet and high touch areas, clean the bath and shower, and finish by cleaning the floor.
What should I clean first in a bathroom?
Start by removing personal items and clutter, then dust and sweep away loose dirt. This allows you to clean the main bathroom surfaces without moving objects around as you work.
How do you clean bathroom grout?
Use a suitable grout cleaning product and a small brush to work into the grout lines. Always check that the product is suitable for your particular tiles and grout.
How can I keep my bathroom clean between cleans?
Wipe down wet surfaces, clean toothpaste and soap marks promptly, keep toiletries organised and regularly clean frequently touched surfaces. Small maintenance tasks can make your next full bathroom clean much easier.
Can professional cleaners clean bathrooms?
Yes. Professional domestic cleaners can clean bathrooms as part of a regular house cleaning service or as part of a more thorough one-off or deep cleaning service.
Final Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
Before you finish, check that you have:
✓ Removed clutter
✓ Dusted surfaces
✓ Swept the floor
✓ Cleaned mirrors and glass
✓ Cleaned the sink and taps
✓ Cleaned the toilet
✓ Cleaned the bath and shower
✓ Cleaned tiles and grout where necessary
✓ Disinfected high touch areas
✓ Mopped the floor
✓ Emptied the bin
✓ Replaced towels and bathmats
✓ Restocked bathroom essentials
Following a consistent bathroom cleaning routine can help keep your bathroom fresh, hygienic and comfortable throughout the year. If your bathroom needs more than a regular clean, a professional deep cleaning service can help tackle areas that have been neglected or have accumulated stubborn dirt and grime.
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