How to Clean a Bathroom: A Step-by-Step Guide

A bathroom is one of the most used areas of your home, but a lack of cleaning motivation and interest often leaves it in a state of neglect.

Bathroom cleaning can seem cringeworthy and gross, yes, but this “ideal hiding place of germs, bacteria, viruses, and mold” needs to be cleaned frequently to avoid any potential health risks and challenges.

Deep cleaning your bathroom, washroom, or restroom —whatever you like to call it — isn’t as complicated as you might think. Knowing the best ways to clean a bathroom is essential for maintaining a fresh, welcoming, and healthy bathroom.

The bathroom cleaning steps, tips, hacks, and products listed in this article will help you make this job quicker, easier, and more enjoyable overall.

Bathroom cleaning, but first!

Before starting the step-by-step cleansing process, remember the following tips to help you achieve a neat and clean bathroom.

1. Gather the cleaning supplies

Make sure you have all the required cleaning tools and supplies before you start the cleaning process. Here’s what you’ll need to get the job done as quickly as possible.

Mop, Duster, Microfiber cloth/rag, Soft-bristled nylon scrub brush, Lysol^® Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Lysol^® Bathroom Cleaner - Summer Fresh, Lysol^® Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Power, Lysol^® Disinfectant Spray, and Lysol^® Air Fresheners.

2. Dust before cleaning

Always dust, particularly the toilet, baseboards, light fixtures, counters, and bathtub. This will allow you to capture and remove loose particles from surfaces, preventing wet sludge from forming due to the inevitable buildup of dust.

3. Don’t forget to declutter

Decluttering and organizing the bathroom with fewer items helps create space for the things you use most often and reduces the number of things to clean, allowing for quicker bathroom cleaning.

How to clean the bathroom

This 10-step bathroom cleaning checklist, with its essential tips and tricks, makes the entire cleaning process much easier.

Step 1: Clear the bathroom surfaces

Gather and remove soap, shampoo, conditioner, and any other products from the countertop, sink, shower (including the shower head, the diverter controls, hand sprayer, and, sometimes, body-targeted massage sprayers), or tub for optimal cleaning. Then, remove towels, bath rugs, trash bins, and any decorative items to the hallway.

Step 2: Dust/vacuum from top to bottom

Grab a duster or a dry microfiber cloth/rag and dust away any loose dirt, hair, or other particles from surfaces. These surfaces include light fixtures, exhaust fans, countertops, window sills, faucets, handles, door frames, shelves, and the toilet tank.

Additionally, use a stick vacuum instead of dusting the outside of the toilet, the baseboards, and, in particular, the floors.

Step 3: Mirrors and glass doors

Combine one cup of water and a teaspoon of Lysol^® Multi-Purpose Cleaner in a spray bottle to create a cleaning solution. Gently shake the solution to mix. Then, apply the solution directly to the bathroom mirrors and glass doors (if any) and let it sit for a few seconds.

After that, wipe them down with a microfiber cloth or newspaper. Repeat the process until there are NO streaks left.

Step 4: Faucets and fixtures

Spray Lysol^® Multi-Purpose Cleaner on all the bathroom faucets and fixtures, and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. This cleaner eliminates 99.99% of viruses and bacteria, cuts through tough grease and soap scum, and provides long-lasting freshness.

You can also use Lysol^® Disinfecting Wipes to wipe those surfaces to ensure they are clean and disinfected by significantly reducing the number of germs, bacteria, viruses, and allergens.

Step 5: Soap dispensers and other countertop items

Now it’s time to thoroughly wipe down the soap dispensers and other countertop items, such as a dish for jewelry or a vase, using Lysol^® All Purpose Disinfectant Spray and a microfiber cloth.

Conclude these steps by spraying the solution for 2 to 3 seconds, until it is covered with a fine mist. Allow the countertop surface to remain wet for 10 minutes before thoroughly wiping it clean with a fresh microfiber cloth.

Step 6: Sink and bathroom tub

Spray Lysol^® Bathroom Foam Cleaner - Summer Fresh into your sink and tub. Then, use a soft-bristled, non-abrasive nylon scrub brush to scrub the sink and tub gently.

Begin by cleaning the outer edges, gradually moving towards the drain, and finish by scrubbing around the drain plug. Rinse thoroughly to ensure all dirt and cleaning product residue are removed.

The Lysol^® Bathroom Foam Cleaner - Summer Fresh disinfects and kills 99.99% of viruses and bacteria and prevents soap scum, hard water stains, and watermarks from coming back.

Step 7: Toilet

The thought of toilet cleaning doesn’t spark any excitement, yet we can’t avoid this task, as it reduces the risk of infections and illnesses and creates a healthy environment for you and your family.

First, give the toilet one final and thorough dry wipe-down. Then, pour Lysol^® Disinfectant Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Power into the toilet by gently placing the nozzle under the toilet bowl rim and squeezing the bottle.

Let the cleaning solution cling to the toilet bowl for 10 minutes before scrubbing with a soft-bristled toilet brush to remove dirt, dust, hard water stains, rust stains, and mineral deposits; after that, flush the toilet a few times with the lid closed.

Last, for good measure, give the toilet lid and seat one last wipe down with Lysol^® Disinfectant Wipes. Then, spritz the toilet bowl outside with Lysol^® Disinfectant Spray and wipe down from top to bottom. You will work from the least dirty to the dirtiest parts of the toilet.

Step 8: Floors

Before cleaning the bathroom floors with an all-purpose cleaner, sweep or vacuum up any dust, dirt, or debris that may have accumulated on the floor and baseboards, particularly in the corners of the room.

Dilute Lysol^® Multi-Surface Liquid Cleaner with warm water in a bucket. This cleaner effectively eliminates 99.99% of viruses and bacteria, cuts through grease and grime, and provides long-lasting freshness.

Soak the mop entirely in the bucket with the cleaning solution, then remove it and squeeze out the excess water. Then, thoroughly mop the bathroom floor.

Mop along the edges of the floor and work to collect the dirt, dust, and other impurities in the middle. Remember to reach around the base of the toilet, where dust usually accumulates.

Once the floor is cleaned, allow it to dry by turning on the exhaust fan, opening the door or windows, or wiping down the floor using a towel or mop.

Step 9: Disinfect

Disinfect high-touch areas or spots that have already been cleaned using Lysol^® Disinfectant Spray^® or Lysol^® Disinfectant Wipes, especially for surfaces with splashes, such as the floor or walls near the toilet.

Step 10: Finishing touches

To wrap up the bathroom cleaning session, empty the trash, refill the soap dispenser, and ensure all other necessities are well-stocked. Put the soap, shampoo, conditioner, towels, rugs, and all other products and items back in their respective places.

FAQs

How often should I clean the bathroom?

Clean your bathroom at least once a week and give it a deep clean every month or so. Bathrooms are high-moisture environments where germs thrive. Regular cleaning helps reduce bacteria, and mold that can lead to unpleasant odours and even health issues. A consistent cleaning routine keeps surfaces sanitary and your home healthier.

What are the germiest places in the bathroom?

Some of the most bacteria-prone areas include:

• Toilet bowls
• Toilet handles
• Faucet knobs
• Sink and drain
• Showerheads
• Toothbrush holders

You can target these spots during your cleaning routine with Lysol^® Bathroom Form Cleaner - Summer Fresh, designed to cut through soap scum, hard water stains, and disinfect and kill 99.99% of viruses and bacteria.

How can I keep my bathroom smelling fresh?

Regular bathroom cleaning, proper ventilation, and using Lysol^® Neutra Air 2-in-1 Air Fresheners can help keep your bathroom smelling better and feel more inviting. For surface cleaning that leaves behind a fresh scent, Lysol^® cleaning products are available in a variety of fragrances to suit your style—choose the classic Lemon scent for a crisp, clean finish, or try something more modern from our Brand New Day™ range.

How can I remove mold and mildew from bathroom surfaces?

To get rid of mold and mildew, soap scums, and tough stains from the bathroom, spray Lysol^® Mold & Mildew Bathroom Bleach Cleaner on the affected surfaces, let it sit for a few minutes, scrub them using a soft-bristle brush, and then thoroughly rinse with water.