16 Ways To Deep Clean Your Bathroom (And Keep It Clean!)
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The bathroom is one of those rooms that can look clean at first glance but still hide plenty of dirt, dust, soap scum and bacteria.
A proper deep clean tackles the areas that often get missed during a quick weekly wipe-down. The good news is that you do not need expensive cleaning products or an entire day to get the job done.
Work through these 16 simple steps and your bathroom will soon feel fresher, brighter and much easier to maintain.
1. Remove Everything Before You Start
Begin by removing toiletries, towels, bath mats, bins and anything sitting around the sink, bath or shower.
Starting with clear surfaces makes cleaning much easier. It also gives you a chance to throw away empty bottles and products you no longer use.
Put washable towels and bath mats straight into the washing machine so they can be cleaned while you work.
2. Dust From Top to Bottom
Bathrooms collect more dust than many people realise, especially around extractor fans, light fittings and the tops of cabinets.
Use a dry microfibre cloth or extendable duster to clean the highest areas first. Work your way down so any falling dust can be collected when you clean the floor later.
Do not forget door frames, window ledges and the tops of mirrors.
3. Clean the Extractor Fan
A dusty extractor fan cannot remove moisture properly, which may encourage condensation and mould.
Turn the fan off before cleaning it. Remove the cover if possible and wash it in warm, soapy water. Use a vacuum attachment or soft brush to remove dust from inside the fan.
Make sure the cover is completely dry before replacing it.
4. Wash the Shower Curtain
Shower curtains can quickly develop soap marks, mildew and pink staining along the bottom.
Check the care label because many fabric and plastic curtains can be cleaned in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Adding a couple of towels helps scrub the curtain as it moves through the wash.
Hang it back up to dry naturally. Do not put a plastic shower curtain in the tumble dryer.
5. Descale the Showerhead
Limescale can block the holes in your showerhead and reduce the water pressure.
If the showerhead can be removed, soak it in a bowl containing equal parts warm water and white vinegar. If it cannot be removed, fill a bag with the mixture and secure it around the showerhead.
Leave it for around 30 minutes, then scrub gently with an old toothbrush and rinse well. Check the manufacturer’s instructions first, especially on plated or stone finishes.
6. Scrub the Bath and Shower
Soap scum, body oils and shampoo residue can leave baths and shower trays feeling dull or slippery.
Apply a bathroom cleaner suitable for the surface and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a non-scratch sponge, paying attention to corners and around the plughole.
Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth to prevent water spots.
7. Clean Grout Lines
Dirty grout can make the entire bathroom look tired, even when the tiles are clean.
Make a paste using baking soda and a small amount of water. Apply it to the grout and scrub gently with an old toothbrush. Rinse the area and dry it afterwards.
Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaning products. If using bleach for stubborn mould, ventilate the room and follow the label carefully.
8. Make Taps Shine Again
Taps often collect water spots, toothpaste and limescale around the base.
Clean them with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. An old toothbrush is useful for reaching around joints and behind the taps.
Dry and polish the taps with a microfibre cloth. This small step makes the whole sink area look noticeably cleaner.
9. Deep Clean the Sink
Remove anything sitting around the sink before applying your chosen cleaner.
Pay special attention to the overflow hole, plug, drain and the area where the taps meet the sink. These spots often collect hidden grime.
Rinse the sink well and wipe it dry to leave a streak-free finish.
10. Clean the Toilet Properly
Apply toilet cleaner underneath the rim and allow it to work while you clean the outside.
Wipe the handle or flush button first, followed by the cistern, lid, seat and outside of the bowl. Cleaning from the least dirty area to the dirtiest helps prevent spreading germs.
Use a separate cloth for the toilet and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
11. Wash the Toilet Brush and Holder
The toilet brush holder is easy to forget, but it can collect dirty water and unpleasant smells.
Empty and clean the holder with hot, soapy water and a suitable disinfectant. Rinse the toilet brush after use and let it dry before placing it back in the holder.
Replace the brush when the bristles become worn or discoloured.
12. Clean Mirrors Without Streaks
Spray glass cleaner onto a microfibre cloth rather than directly onto the mirror. This prevents liquid from running behind the frame.
Wipe from side to side, working from the top down. Finish with a dry cloth to remove any streaks.
A small amount of diluted white vinegar can also work well on plain glass, but avoid using it near natural stone surfaces.
13. Empty and Wash Bathroom Cabinets
Bathroom cupboards can become cluttered with expired medicines, old cosmetics and almost-empty bottles.
Remove everything and wipe the shelves with warm, soapy water. Dry them before returning the items you want to keep.
Check expiry dates and take unwanted medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not flush them down the toilet or pour them into the sink.
14. Unblock and Freshen the Drains
Hair and soap residue are common causes of slow bathroom drains.
Remove visible hair from the plughole using a drain tool or gloves. Flush the drain with hot water, provided it is safe for your plumbing.
If the water continues to drain slowly, use a product designed for your type of pipe or call a plumber. Avoid repeatedly mixing different drain cleaners.
15. Wipe Doors, Handles and Switches
Door handles, light switches and cupboard knobs are touched regularly but are often missed during normal cleaning.
Wipe them with a suitable disinfecting product, taking care not to soak electrical switches. Clean both sides of the bathroom door and remove marks from around the handle.
Remember to wipe towel rails and the toilet-roll holder too.
16. Mop the Floor Last
Always leave the floor until the end because dust, hair and cleaning residue will fall onto it while you work.
Vacuum or sweep first, including behind the toilet and around the edges of the room. Mop with a cleaner suitable for your flooring and allow it to dry before replacing the bath mats and bin.
Be careful not to use too much water on laminate or wooden flooring.
How To Keep Your Bathroom Clean
Once the deep clean is finished, a few quick habits can stop dirt from building up again.
Keep a small cloth nearby and wipe the sink and taps after use. Use a shower squeegee to remove water from glass and tiles. Hang wet towels up properly and run the extractor fan during and after showers.
Empty the bin regularly, wash bath mats weekly and spend ten minutes cleaning the toilet, sink and floor each week.
Keeping the room well ventilated is also important. Moisture left sitting on walls and seals can lead to mould, musty smells and damaged paint.
Common Bathroom-Cleaning Mistakes
One of the biggest mistakes is using too much cleaning product. More product does not always mean better results and may leave a sticky residue behind.
Other common mistakes include:
- Mixing different cleaning chemicals
- Using abrasive pads on delicate surfaces
- Forgetting to let cleaners sit before wiping
- Using the same cloth on the toilet and sink
- Closing the bathroom before surfaces have dried
- Ignoring hidden areas behind bottles and bins
Always read product labels and test new cleaners on a small, hidden area first.
Final Thoughts
Deep cleaning the bathroom may not be the most exciting job, but it makes a huge difference to how fresh and comfortable the room feels.
You do not have to complete everything at once. Try tackling four jobs at a time or spread the work across a weekend. Once the main deep clean is finished, a simple weekly routine should make the bathroom much easier to manage.
Which part of your bathroom do you find the hardest to keep clean? Share your best cleaning tip in the comments!