Keeping your bathroom clean can feel like an endless chore. No matter how much you scrub and disinfect, soap scum, mildew, and grime can quickly return. Fortunately, professional cleaners have plenty of tricks up their sleeves for getting bathrooms sparkling clean and keeping them that way. Here are some insider tips and secrets from the pros for cleaning your bathroom like an expert.
Supplies and Tools That Make a Difference
Having the right supplies and tools can cut your cleaning time significantly and produce better results. Here are some of the must-have items that every bathroom cleaning pro relies on:
Microfiber Cloths
Microfiber cloths are superior to sponges and paper towels for cleaning. The ultra-fine fibers and slightly abrasive texture allow microfiber cloths to grab and remove grime much more effectively. Pros use them dry or damp. They are also reusable and machine washable.
Grout Brush
A stiff-bristled grout brush makes scrubbing dirt and mildew from tile grout fast and easy. Using a dedicated grout brush prevents spreading grime to other areas.
Toilet Brush
Invest in a quality toilet brush that can reach every curve and crevice in the bowl and under the rim. Disposable toilet scrub pads are another option for tough stains.
Vacuum Attachment
A vacuum hose and crevice tool attachment makes quick work of cleaning around toilets, behind sinks, baseboards, vents, and other tight spots.
Magic Erasers
The super-absorbent melamine foam material of Magic Erasers lifts up soap scum, hard water stains, grime, and mildew with minimal scrubbing. Pros rely on them for tile, grout, sinks, showers, tubs, and more.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda is mildly abrasive to dissolve soap scum, plus it neutralizes odors. White vinegar cuts through grime, removes stains, disinfects, and deodorizes. Pros often mix them into a paste.
Spray Bottles
Refilling reusable spray bottles with DIY cleaners is cost-effective and eliminates waste. Pros use them to apply cleaners and disinfectants to surfaces.
Powerful Cleaning Ingredients
Professional cleaners select their cleaning solutions carefully to dissolve soap scum, destroy mildew and bacteria, neutralize odors, and make surfaces sparkle. Here are some of their favorite cleaning ingredients:
Hydrogen Peroxide
The oxidizing properties in hydrogen peroxide help remove stains, whiten tile grout, disinfect, and deodorize. Pros often mix it with baking soda and vinegar into a paste.
Borax
A powdered mineral cleaner, borax cuts through soap scum, removes stains, inhibits mold growth, and kills germs. Pros use it for scrubbing sinks, tiles, tubs, showers, and toilets.
Washing Soda
Similar to borax, washing soda or sal soda is an alkaline cleaner that cleans and deodorizes. It’s useful for tackling soap buildup, mineral deposits, and other grimy messes.
Essential Oils
Pros love essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon, and peppermint for their natural disinfecting and odor removal abilities. A few drops enhance DIY cleaners.
Castile Soap
Made from vegetable oils, castile bar soap gives an effective, nontoxic clean when mixed into DIY spray solutions. Peppermint castile soap also leaves a pleasant scent.
Pro Tips for Key Bathroom Cleaning Tasks
Approaching bathroom cleaning strategically and using the right techniques makes the job faster and produces better results. Here are some insider tips from the pros for tackling common bathroom cleaning challenges:
Cleaning Tile and Grout
- Mix baking soda and vinegar into a paste and apply to grout lines. Let sit 5-10 minutes before scrubbing.
- Use a grout brush and hydrogen peroxide OR castile soap solution to scrub grout. Rinse thoroughly.
- Apply baking soda paste to tiles. Wipe off paste and rinse. Removes buildup and makes tiles shine.
Scrubbing Shower and Tubs
- Coat surfaces with baking soda. Spray vinegar over top. Let sit 15 minutes before scrubbing with a microfiber cloth.
- Use a Magic Eraser dipped in hydrogen peroxide to easily wipe away soap scum and mildew.
- Mix 1 cup borax with liquid castile soap in a spray bottle. Spray surfaces, let sit 5 minutes, then scrub with a cloth.
Cleaning Sinks and Faucets
- Wipe down with undiluted white vinegar to make chrome and stainless steel faucets shine.
- Remove water spots on faucets with a paste of baking soda and water. Rub gently with a soft cloth.
- Make a DIY scouring paste by sprinkling baking soda over liquid castile soap. Spread paste on sink with a damp cloth or sponge.
Disinfecting Toilets
- Scrub bowl with borax or baking soda paste. Let sit at least 5 minutes before scrubbing again and flushing.
- Use disposable scrub pads and toilet wand for hard-to-reach spots under the toilet rim.
- Disinfect the seat, lid, handle, and around the base with a hydrogen peroxide spray.
Killing Mold and Mildew
- Spray moldy surfaces with undiluted hydrogen peroxide or vinegar. Let sit 10 minutes before wiping clean.
- Prevent mildew growth by spraying vinegar on wet surfaces like shower curtains after use to dry rapidly.
- Scrub mildew stains on grout or caulk with baking soda paste or a Magic Eraser.
Deodorizing and Eliminating Odors
- Set out a dish of baking soda or an open box of borax powder in the bathroom to absorb odors.
- Spritz vinegar or lemon juice in the air and let sit for an hour before rinsing down surfaces.
- Place bowls of coffee grounds, activated charcoal, or zeolite rocks in the bathroom to neutralize odors naturally.
DIY Disinfecting Cleaners From the Pros
Commercial cleaners are loaded with harsh chemicals and VOC fumes. Professional cleaners often make their own natural, non-toxic disinfecting solutions using a few simple ingredients:
All-Purpose Bathroom Cleaner
- 1⁄2 cup castile soap
- 1⁄2 cup water
- 20-30 drops essential oil (tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon, etc.)
Tub and Tile Spray
- 1⁄2 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1⁄4 cup baking soda
- 1 tsp liquid castile soap
- 1⁄2 tsp washing soda
Glass and Mirror Cleaner
- 2 cups water
- 1⁄4 cup vinegar
- 1⁄2 tsp liquid castile soap
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- 1⁄4 cup baking soda
- 1 cup vinegar
- 5-10 drops essential oil
Mold and Mildew Fighter
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
- 15 drops tea tree essential oil
When making DIY cleaners, use glass spray bottles and label contents clearly. Store in a cool, dark location and discard when no longer effective. Always spot test cleaners first.
Pro Housekeeping Routines to Stay Ahead of the Mess
Consistency is key for professional cleaners. Establishing set housekeeping routines makes bathroom cleaning faster, prevents buildup, and leads to better results. Here are some examples of daily, weekly, and monthly bathroom cleaning checklists from the pros.
Daily Bathroom Cleaning Routine
- Wipe down mirrors, faucets, sinks
- Scrub toilet bowl
- Disinfect toilet seat, handle, rim
- Rinse shower walls and tub
- Squeeze out shower curtain liner
- Wipe down counters
- Empty trash
- Replenish toilet paper, towels, soap
Weekly Bathroom Cleaning Routine
- Dust lighting fixtures, vents, baseboards
- Clean sink, faucet, handles, and hardware
- Disinfect countertops and surfaces
- Scrub tile walls, tub, and shower with grout brush
- Clean inside medicine cabinets
- Clean mirrors thoroughly with glass cleaner
- Mop or vacuum floors
Monthly Bathroom Cleaning Routine
- Scrub vanity cabinet interiors
- Descale faucets and showerheads
- Clean exhaust fan covers and vents
- Scrub grout lines with baking soda paste
- Shine chrome fixtures and hardware
- Dust ceiling corners, edges, and light fixtures
- Wash shower curtain liner and bath mats
- Scrub caulk lines in tub and showers
- Clean out under sink cabinet and drawers
Handy Bathroom Cleaning Hacks
After years on the job, professional cleaners discover handy shortcuts and clever ways to make cleaning tasks quicker and easier. Here are some of their best bathroom cleaning hacks:
- Apply petroleum jelly to a shower curtain liner to repel mildew and lint.
- Stick a pumice stone on the wall of showers and tubs with suction cups to scrub away soap scum.
- Microwave a damp sponge for 1-2 minutes to disinfect it between uses.
- Use an old toothbrush dipped in baking soda to scrub grime from tile grout.
- Fill a mildly abrasive sock with baking soda and use it to scour tubs and sinks.
- Turn a squeegee around after showering to smooth water off walls and prevent buildup.
- Hang a mesh bag over shower heads to catch hair and prevent clogging drains.
- Place self-adhesive foam bumpers on shower doors to wipe water off as they close.
- Add a cup of salt to the toilet bowl after cleaning to prevent rings and stains.
FAQs About DIY Bathroom Cleaning
Learning professional cleaning tricks helps you tackle bathroom messes like an expert. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cleaning bathrooms at home:
How can I remove rust stains from my bathroom sink, tub, or toilet?
Mix cream of tartar and lemon juice into a paste and apply it to rust stains. Let sit for 15-20 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. Repeat if needed for tough stains.
What’s the quickest way to make my bathroom mirrors shine?
Spray mirrors with a vinegar and water solution. Rub in circles with a microfiber cloth followed by a dry cloth to avoid streaks and water spots.
How should I clean soap scum off my glass shower doors?
Spray on a solution of 2 parts water, 1 part vinegar. Let sit 5 minutes then scrub with a Magic Eraser sponge to easily wipe soap scum away.
What natural disinfectant can I use in my bathroom?
Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 1 part water in a spray bottle. Spritz on surfaces and let sit 10 minutes before wiping. It kills viruses, bacteria, and mold.
How can I unclog my bathroom sink drain without harsh chemicals?
Pour 1⁄2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1⁄2 cup vinegar. Cover the drain tightly for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with hot water.
What’s the easiest way to clean my ceramic tile floors?
Mix 1⁄4 cup castile soap with 2 gallons of warm water. Mop over tiles with a microfiber mop. Rinse with clean water to remove soap residue. Air dry.
Conclusion
Cleaning the bathroom doesn’t need to be an endless chore. Equipped with the right tools and professional cleaning solutions, tackling soap scum, mold, mildew, and grime becomes much simpler. Establishing consistent daily, weekly, and monthly bathroom cleaning routines also helps stay ahead of the mess before it builds up. With these insider cleaning tips and tricks from the pros now in your arsenal, you can get your bathroom sparkling clean and keep it that way.
