Easy Bathroom Cleaning Guide and Tips

The bathroom is full of harmful germs and bacteria, which makes it essential to keep it clean and sanitized. Regular bathroom cleaning and disinfection are indispensable to keeping diseases and infections at bay.

Every once in a while, it is recommended to deep clean your bathroom to remove the buildup of germs. This will require much more than a wipe-down, though. 

You must know all the germ hotspots and the right cleaning products to clean your bathroom thoroughly. This will help ensure your and your family’s safety. Read our easy bathroom cleaning guide to learn more:

Bathroom germs and bacteria hotspots

Bacteria in the toilet

 The toilet bowl is one of the grimiest places in the house. It’s no surprise that under the toilet seat, you’ll find a germ-breeding nest. 

Frequent toilet usage daily causes dirt and germs to accumulate under the seat. This means it needs to be regularly cleaned and disinfected. In addition, droplets of flushed waste and water stick to the toilet seat every time you flush. 

Those droplets contain a lot of germs that remain hidden and can reproduce if not taken care of properly. See where else germs are hiding without being noticed. 

Toilet brush germs

The toilet brush is also another example hotspot, filled with bathroom germs and bacteria. Although you may think that only the brush is the culprit, cleaning the toilet brush holder is equally important.

The fecal residue and water in the holder can make it a dangerous germs hotspot. Add a few drops of antiseptic liquid to the holder to neutralize the breeding germs and bacteria.

Shower curtain bacteria

Most germs, bacteria, and fungi do best in warm, moist, protein-rich environments. As a result, shower curtains are an ideal surface for these microorganisms, including mold and mildew in the bathroom. 

To avoid this scenario, leave the extractor fan on or keep the bathroom window and/or door open for at least 30 minutes after showering.

Bath mats

When you enter the bathroom, you step on the mat. This can transfer the microorganisms from your slippers or feet. When the mat gets mixed with warm water, it creates the perfect space for bacterial colony growth. 

To prevent this, clean bath mats regularly using detergent and antiseptic liquid. Then, leave them to dry properly to ensure no mold and mildew are formed under them.

Bacteria on bathroom door handles

Bathroom surfaces, such as door handles, taps, and waste bins, are susceptible to contamination because of their frequent usage. 

Keep these surfaces properly cleaned and disinfected using power cleaner spray, disinfectant surface spray, and antiseptic liquid. These products effectively clean and disinfect surfaces without leaving a harsh chemical residue.

Personal hygiene items

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, and soap can be contaminated and ridden with bathroom germs. Store these items in a basket or cupboard and wash them occasionally with running water and antibacterial soap afterward.

Bathroom hand dryer germs

Many people use hand dryers in public restrooms to dry their hands after washing them.

However, these dryers can facilitate germ proliferation, including bacteria like staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus and viruses that cause flu and the common cold. 

One reason is that bathroom hand dryers blow out air that can contain germs and other harmful particles. As a result, when people use these dryers, the bacteria can become airborne and land on nearby surfaces, including people's hands. 

While convenient, these can act as a breeding ground for pathogens. However, by taking simple steps such as wiping them off with antibacterial multi-use wipes and antiseptic liquid, you can minimize your risk of exposure and stay healthy.

Germs in bathroom sink

The bathroom sink is yet another fixture where bacteria can accumulate due to various factors. People spitting after brushing their teeth and washing dirt off their hands and faces may seem harmless, but they can contribute to spreading bacteria and viruses.

Some of the most common bacteria in bathroom sinks include Staphylococcus aureus, Campylobacter, and Escherichia coli.

Regularly washing the sink with a combination of water and antiseptic liquid, and disinfecting it with disinfectant spray, is crucial in minimizing the spread of germs in the sink.

How to keep the bathroom clean

Shut the toilet lid before flushing

Each flush can release germs through the air and on surfaces after flushing the toilet without the toilet lid on. These germs can land on the toilet surfaces immediately or hover in the bathroom atmosphere for some time before landing on surfaces.

Before you flush, always shut the toilet lid to prevent these germs from escaping. This small act will significantly lower your risk of exposure to harmful pathogens existing in the bathroom.

Washing your hands

Direct contact, including contaminated hands, is the most common cause of spreading germs, bacteria, infections, and diseases. 

You must regularly wash your hands with warm water, antibacterial soap, or liquid hand wash for at least 20 seconds to keep your hands clean, specifically after using the bathroom. 

If you don’t have access to soap and water, apply a hand sanitizer gel on your hands that effectively kills 99.9% of germs.

Keep the floor dry

Besides adding to the fall risks, a wet floor poses multiple hazards, including bacterial harborage. Disease-causing germs and bacteria thrive and function best in such environments, making a damp bathroom floor one of the ideal places for this purpose. Use floor mats or dry the floors properly after cleaning them to reduce the chances of germ development.

Bathroom cleaning guide

1. Remove all items from their usual spots

For the best results, simultaneously remove all the items from their usual spots for the entire bathroom. Next, remove all of your products, towels, and rugs from the bathroom. Finally, move all items from the counters outside the bathroom. Don’t forget to empty the trash cans.

2. Dust and sweep

Remove the dust on light fixtures, vents, and any cobwebs in corners using a duster with a long handle. After that, sweep or vacuum the floors to pick up hair and other debris that may have accumulated on the floors.

3. Apply cleaner to the shower and bathtub

Apply an antiseptic liquid cleaner to the shower and bathtub to remove soap scum, stains, and bacteria buildup. This will leave your bathroom looking clean and fresh.

4. Tackle other surfaces

Spray the antiseptic liquid spray on your cleaning device (i.e., microfiber cloth, sponge, etc.) and wipe down towel racks, shelves, baseboards, doors, blinds, and windowsills. Work in sections from the top of the room to the bottom and left to right.

5. Mix cleaning solution for the floor

Prepare a bucket of warm water with the appropriate amount of multipurpose floor cleaner and use it to wash the floor.

6. Putting the items back 

Replace all items you removed to their original place; wiping them is necessary as you go, then close the shower curtain or door. 

7. Clean the vanity area

To clean the sink, faucets, and countertops, spray the all-purpose cleaner and then wipe with a clean cloth. For any buildup in the sink or soap dish, use a scrubby sponge to loosen it before wiping it clean. To remove any dust from the cabinet faces, use a damp cloth. 

8. Clean the toilet

If you regularly clean the inside of your toilet, using an all-purpose cleaner should suffice. However, if there is any buildup, you can use a healthy power bathroom cleaner spray and scrub with a toilet brush before flushing. 

9. Mop the floor 

Dip your mop into the bucket containing the multipurpose floor cleaner solution, remove the excess water by squeezing it, and use it to clean the bathroom floor. After cleaning, allow the floor to dry, and then put back the trash can and your recently washed rugs.

FAQs

Why do I need to clean my bathroom?

You need to clean your bathroom to reduce the risk of infection and illnesses. Bacteria and viruses can live on bathroom surfaces for more than an hour. Therefore, you must clean and disinfect them regularly using a disinfectant spray, antiseptic liquid, or multi-use wipes.

How often should I clean my bathroom?

You should clean your bathroom thoroughly at least once a week. In addition, you must perform a deep bathroom cleaning at least once every two weeks.

What is the best method of bathroom cleaning?

The best method of bathroom cleaning includes:

1. First, clearing the floor of all items.
2. Next, sweep the dust collected on the floor.
3. Then, vacuum to remove the remaining debris.
4. Finally, wipe the floor and objects using antiseptic liquid and multi-use wipes.