Clean Your Bathroom Fast

We all try to keep our homes as clean as possible, but some rooms can be a challenge. The bathroom is definitely one of the hardest rooms to keep because it gets used so often and is prone to plenty of messes, such as soap scum or mildew. If you have trouble keeping your bathroom clean and you have guests coming over shortly, you need a quick plan of attack to get it sparkling again. Focus on a few key areas of the space that will make a big impact -- and try to develop a more consistent cleaning schedule going forward.

Steps

Cleaning on the Spot

1. Gather up any trash. If your trash can is full or the vanity is littered with crumpled tissues, your bathroom is definitely going to look messy. Getting rid of the garbage can instantly make the space appear cleaner. Start by emptying the trash can into a plastic garbage bag, and toss in any other trash that might be in the room. It’s a good idea to leave the garbage bag hanging on the bathroom door so you can add any additional trash that you might come across.
   • To make it easier to get rid of garbage in your bathroom, consider lining the trash can with a plastic bag so you can easily empty it when it’s full.
   • You may want to invest in a covered or closed trash can for the bathroom. That way, even if there’s garbage in it, guests won’t see it so the room will appear tidier.
   • When you’re gathering up trash, make sure to put away any items that might be lying on the vanity or countertops, such as toothpaste, makeup items, or razors.
2. Apply cleanser to the dirtiest areas and let sit. The areas of the bathroom that are the dirtiest will likely require some extra time to get clean. Choose your favorite bathroom cleaner(s) and apply it to areas such as the shower, toilet, and sink and allow it sit until the end of your cleaning. That will give the cleaning products time to really penetrate and break down the dirt and grime. Make sure to follow the cleansers’ instructions carefully.
   • When it come to cleaning the shower, tub, and sink, it’s best to choose a cleanser that will remove mildew and soap scum.
   • To get make sure your toilet is as fresh and clean as possible, you’ll probably want to use a targeted toilet cleaner.
   • The longer that you allow the cleaner to sit, the better -- but make sure to wait at least five minutes.
   • Don’t forget the door or liner when you’re applying the cleaner to your shower.
   • Bathroom cleaners usually contain strong chemicals, so check that the space is properly ventilated to avoid any effects from the fumes.
3. Wipe down other surfaces. There may be other surfaces in your bathroom that need cleaning, but aren’t quite as dirty as the sink, shower, and toilet. Use a glass cleaner on any mirrors and windows, and wipe down the countertops and other surfaces with a rag dampened with warm soapy water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any soap film.
   • Use a lint-free rag to wipe down the mirrors and windows, so you don’t wind up with fibers on your surfaces.
   • If your bathroom countertops are tile, it’s best to avoid cleaning with soap or detergent because they may cause a film. Instead, create a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, and use that to wipe down the tiled surfaces.
4. Shake out the bath mat. If you have time to vacuum or throw washable bath mats or carpets into the washer, it can help make the room look much cleaner. However, when you’re in a rush, just picking up the mats and shaking them outside can help remove any crumbs, dirt, or other debris and fluff them up so they appear as if they’re freshly vacuumed.
   • If you don’t have any mats or carpeting in your bathroom, run a damp rag across the floor to pick up any dirt and debris.
5. Rinse the dirtiest areas. Once you’re almost done cleaning and the cleanser on the dirtiest areas has been sitting for 10 minutes or so, it’s time to rinse the surfaces clean. Wipe down the sink and faucets with a hot damp rag. Next, clean the outside of the toilet, including the top of the tank and bottom of the bowl, before moving onto the seat, under the seat, and inside the bowl. Use a scrub brush or sponge to clean the shower, tub, and door, and rinse with the shower head.
   • Don’t forget to wipe down the top of the seat lid when you’re cleaning the toilet.
   • If you have time, wipe down the shower walls and tub with a clean, dry rag.
6. Clean out the corners of the room. No matter how clean you keep your bathroom, dust, dirt, and other debris will inevitably collect in the corners of the room. Even if you don’t have time to vacuum or mop the bathroom floor, take the time to wipe out these areas with a damp paper towel to remove the dirt.
   • If there’s some dirt and debris that you can’t remove from the corners of the room, you may want to use a small handheld vacuum to quickly clean those spots.
7. Put out fresh hand towels. Like many people, you probably dry your used bath towel in the bathroom. You don’t have to remove them to make the space look clean. Just set out a fresh set of hand towels because those are the only ones that guests are going to use. Arrange them neatly on the towel rack and give them a quick fluff so they look neat.
   • You don’t have to remove the damp bath towels. Just place the fresh hand towels over them on the bar, though take the time to make sure that they’re straight.

Starting Quick Cleaning Habits

1. Clean out the shower and tub after you use it. Your shower or tub is one of the areas in the bathroom that gets dirty the fastest. If you can get in the habit of cleaning it as you use it, you’ll have much less work when you clean the entire bathroom. If there is a ring of film around the tub or any marks on the shower walls or door, use your washcloth and warm, soapy water to remove it, and rinse with water from the tap. Don’t get out of the tub or shower without getting rid of that ring.
   • You may want to leave a sponge or scrub brush on a shelf in your shower or tub to help with any stubborn spots that may pop up.
2. Put things away as you use them. It may seem simple, but putting away the items that you use in the bathroom after you’re done with them can help keep the space looking tidier. Empty surfaces appear less cluttered, and make it easier to clean. For example, when you’re finished brushing your teeth, put your toothbrush back in its holder and place the tube of toothpaste back in the cabinet or drawer.
   • You may want to add some storage options to your bathroom to make it easier to put items away. For example, you may want to put a draw organizer in your vanity drawer to sort cosmetics, or place a caddy in the cabinet beneath the sink to store hair styling products.
3. Empty the wastebasket at the end of each day. Just as you probably empty the garbage in your kitchen every night, try to establish the habit of clearing out your bathroom trash daily. That way, it likely won’t be overflowing when guests come to visit, and your bathroom will look neater overall.
   • To make sure that you remember to empty the bathroom wastebasket, try to do it at the same that you take out your kitchen trash to establish a set routine.

Keeping Your Bathroom Clean

1. Keep pre-moistened cleansing wipes next to sink. If you’re really committed to keeping your bathroom clean, it helps to make it as easy for yourself as possible. That’s why you should keep a package of pre-moistened cleansing wipes beside your sink, so you can wipe down any errant toothpaste or other messes from the sink. The wipes will also come in handy for wiping down the toilet exterior, tub, or tile in a hurry.
   • To make sure your bathroom is clean and safe, choose antibacterial wipes that will not only clean, but help kill any bacteria that may be lurking in your bathroom.
2. Have your cleaning supplies ready. The best to ensure that your bathroom stays clean is to keep all of the products and items that you need to clean it within reach. You may want to place a bucket in one of the cabinets that holds all of your supplies, so they’re always ready to go when you need them. For basic bathroom cleaning kit, you may want to add items such as:
   • Scrub brushes, including a toilet brush, sponges, and heavy duty cleaning cloths
   • Spray glass cleaner
   • A strong multipurpose cleaner
   • Toilet bowl cleaner
   • A feather duster or sham
   • You may also need to use a broom, dustpan, and vacuum to do a full bathroom cleaning, so make sure they’re nearby too.
3. Create a bathroom cleaning schedule. As with most things, the best way to make sure that you keep your bathroom clean is to create a schedule for cleaning it. There may be some chores that you want to do daily, others that you’ll do weekly, and some intensive jobs that you’ll only do every few months. Make a list and break them down to according to when you’ll do them -- then consider posting it inside a bathroom cabinet so you can remind yourself of what needs to be done.
   • On a daily basis, you may want to make an effort to wipe down the sink, toilet seat and rim, and the mirror and faucets. You can also run a brush through the toilet bowl and squeegee the shower door if you have time.
   • On a weekly basis, try to scrub the bathtub or shower walls, deep clean the toilet, mop the floor, and wipe down the doorknobs, doorjambs, switch plates, and baseboards.
   • Once every few months, go through your medicine cabinet and vanity drawers to toss out any old or unnecessary items. If you have a shower curtain, wash it according to its care instructions too.

Tips

• The key is to keep your bathroom clean on a daily basis. That way, soap and mineral deposits don't have a chance to build up.

Things You'll Need

• Old wash cloths or rags
• Heavy-duty multipurpose cleaner
• Toilet cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Scrub brush or sponge
• Toilet bowl brush
• Premoistened cleaning wipes

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Sources and Citations

See also

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• Clean Moldy Grout
• Clean a Toilet With Coke
• Clean a Shower
• Clean Your Room Fast
• Clean a Jetted Tub
• Clean Tough Stains from a Bathtub
• Clean Your Room in 10 Minutes
• Clean Grout Between Floor Tiles
• Remove Bathroom Mold

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