How to Clean a Bathroom From Top to Bottom

Your exhaust fan circulates air and moisture out of your bathroom, helping to prevent mildew and mold growth. Because airborne particles and moisture flow through your vent, cleaning it is crucial to maintaining a healthy bathroom. Turn off your fan before wiping down the surface and crevices with your cleaning solution and cloth.

Twice a year, you should deep clean your bathroom exhaust fan to ensure it's working well and not harboring any mildew or mold.

Tackle all dry debris and dust before wet cleaning and disinfecting. Dust the entire room from top to bottom so you don't have to revisit any areas. With a microfiber rag or feather duster, dust every surface, including:

• Light fixtures

• Mirrors

• Window and door trim and ledges

• Soap dispensers

• Other countertop items

• Counter

• Towel holders

• Outside of your toilet

• Toilet paper holder

• Door

• Baseboards

Make sure to reach any corners high and low where there might be cobwebs or debris. You can vacuum instead of dust if that’s easier.

Vacuum, shake out, or wash any bath mats and rugs. Remove them from the area while you clean the rest of the bathroom. Vacuum or sweep the entire floor from one end of the room to the other and dispose of the debris in the trash.

Next, spray your toilet, shower, bathtub, and sink with cleaner. As you tackle the other parts of the bathroom, the solution has 10 to 15 minutes to sit and break up grime. It'll be easier to scrub those surfaces clean.

Use a cleaning solution or warm soapy water and a cloth to wipe down the fronts and tops of cabinets, drawers, handles, toilet paper holders, towel holders, and other standalone surfaces in your bathroom. It’s best to start at the top and work your way down. You may need to use a step stool to wipe down high-to-reach places.

Spray cleaning solution on your countertops and wipe down with a cleaning cloth, starting from the edges and working toward the sink. You can push any dirt into the sink since you'll be cleaning that next. Use an old toothbrush or gentle cleaning brush to remove any soap scum in the corners, near the faucet, or along the grout line.

Wipe down items on your countertop too, such as soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, and lotion bottles.

Scrub soap scum, toothpaste, and other dirt out of your sink with a rag, old toothbrush, or sponge. Start from the corners or edges and work inward toward the drain. Wipe down the faucet and handles too, then polish them with glass cleaner and a cloth.

You’ll also want to clean the sink drain. If you have a sink stopper, take it out and clear away any hair, dirt, grime, or mildew. Return the drain piece to its place. Pour a combination of white vinegar and baking soda (2:1 ratio), followed by a hot water rinse to remove bacteria.

Mist your mirror and other glass surfaces with a glass cleaner, such as your shower door or window. Use a paper towel or clean microfiber cloth to wipe down and buff any areas so they shine. For your shower door, you can also use a squeegee to prevent watermarks or streaks. 

From top to bottom, scrub the surfaces in your shower or tub. Start from the edges and corners and work your way toward the drain.

Clean the Walls and Basin

Scrub and wipe down the walls, corners, and basin of your tub or shower. Wipe down any ledges or shelving, and polish the faucet and handle. Rinse everything with hot water.

Wipe Down the Shower Curtain

With your all-purpose cleaner or a homemade mix of vinegar and water, spray the shower curtain and wipe it down to prevent mildew and mold from growing.

Decontaminate the Showerhead

Spray and wipe down your showerhead. If your showerhead has a buildup of water or soap scum, soak it in white vinegar overnight. You can remove it or fill a plastic ziplock bag with vinegar and secure it to the showerhead with a rubber band. The next day, scrub the showerhead and water holes with an old toothbrush to remove any buildup. Rinse with hot water.

Scrub the Grout

Spray cleaning solution or sprinkle baking soda on your grout, then gently scrub it with a cleaning brush or old toothbrush. To keep your grout clean, use a squeegee every time you shower to remove excess water (a haven for mildew and mold).

Scrub your toilet with a toilet brush from the top inner rim to the bottom toward the drain. Any dirty splashes or residue will get cleaned up next. 

Spray the exterior of your toilet and use a rag to wipe down each component, including the flush handle, lid, and base of the toilet. Spray and wipe down the toilet seat, then spray and clean the underside of the toilet lid and seat. Wipe down the toilet bowl rim. 

If you have hard water stains in your toilet bowl, dip a pumice stone in water then gently scrub the stains.

Take out the trash and throw your linens in the washing machine, such as your hand towels, bath towels, and washcloths. Replace with fresh linens and a new trash can liner. Refill any soap dispensers or toilet paper holders. 

Give your baseboards and door a quick wipe-down before mopping the floors. Start mopping from the far edges of the room and work toward the door. In essence, mop yourself out of the room. Ensure you reach all spaces, such as behind the toilet and in the corners. Let the floor dry completely before stepping in the bathroom again.