The Ultimate Step By Step Guide to a Clean Bathroom in 15 Minutes
Let’s see, by a show of hands, who loves a clean bathroom but dreads cleaning it? Wow! Look at that, hands all over the room, joining mine. I’m sure we could come up with all kinds of reasons we loathe the task—most of them throwbacks to our childhoods—the dreaded Chore List, right?Â
Creating a clean bathroom can be tedious and time-consuming, but with these quick and efficient tips, I’ve figured out a routine to get it done—from start to sparkling clean—in 15 minutes.Â
Step 1: Gather Supplies
- Microfiber cloths
- Sponge
- Good all-purpose cleaner
- Disinfectant cleaner or spray
- Glass cleaner
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- General scrub brush
- Toilet brush
- Vacuum or broom, mop
Keeping these essentials organized and within arm’s reach will streamline your process and save you precious minutes.
Step 2: Everything Out
Keeping in mind that it is impossible to organize clutter, the first step to a clean bathroom is clearing the deck! That means everything is movable, including trash cans, clothes hampers, countertops, sinks, towel bars, and items on the floor out of there!
Yes, even that cute table, the freestanding toilet paper holder—all of it. Set these things in an area just outside the bathroom. Toss dirty laundry into the hamper or laundry room. Put away any toiletries or items that may be cluttering the space into the drawer or cupboard where they belong.
Step 3: Start With the Toilet
Now that your bathroom surfaces are clear, it’s time to tackle the toilet—the most dreaded part of any bathroom cleaning routine. Apply toilet bowl cleaner generously under the rim and around the bowl, allowing it to sit and work its magic while you move on to the rest of the toilet.
Using the disinfectant, spray the toilet seat (inside and out), the tank, all around the bolts or other hardware, the flush handle, the area around the toilet on the floor—every millimeter of that porcelain fixture. Use the scrub brush to get into every nook and cranny if you have challenging spots. Wipe it all clean with a microfiber or other cloth for a thorough clean.
Last, using the toilet brush, clean the toilet bowl, scrubbing under the rim and all around the bowl. Flush to rinse, take the brush to the sink, and give it a good clean under hot water.
DIY Toilet Cleaner
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup of borax into the toilet bowl and swish it around with a toilet brush.
- Add 1 cup of plain white distilled 5% vinegar, swish around again, and let the mixture sit in the bowl for a few minutes.
Step 4: The Sink and Counter Areas
With the toilet out of the way, turn your attention to the sink and counter area. Spray all-purpose cleaner onto surfaces and wipe them down swiftly with the scrub brush, rinse well, then clean and polish with a microfiber cloth. Pay special attention to any toothpaste splatters or soap scum until you achieve a spotless finish. Don’t forget to wipe down faucets and handles. Polish well with that microfiber cloth.
DIY Bathroom cleaner
There are tons of DIY bathroom cleaner recipes out there, but none can top this one!
-
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons borax
- 1 tablespoon blue Dawn dishwashing liquid
- 2 cups warm water
- 10 drops lemon essential oil (optional, but adds a lovely clean scent)
Pour all ingredients into a spray bottle and shake to mix.
This works really well on ceramic tile, the outside surfaces of toilets, sinks, counters, floors—actually, the entire bathroom!
Step 5: Clean the Shower and Tub
Next up, it’s time to tackle the shower and tub. Spray down the surfaces with a cleaning solution and let them sit while you attend to other tasks. When you return, grab a scrub brush and give the surfaces a good scrubbing to remove any soap scum or grime. To get a clean and sparkling shower and tub, make sure to rinse all surfaces thoroughly using warm water.
DIY Magical Soap and Scum Cleaner
-
- Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid
- Plain white vinegar
Pour one cup of blue Dawn into a 32-ounce spray bottle OR 1/2 cup of Dawn if you are using a 16-ounce bottle. Fill the bottle the rest of the way with white vinegar. (Or one-part blue Dawn to three-parts vinegar, regardless of the size of the spray bottle.) Apply sprayer top; shake gently to mix.
Step 6: Wipe Down Mirrors and Glass
With the major cleaning tasks completed, wipe down mirrors and any other surfaces in your bathroom. Use a glass cleaner for streak-free shine on mirrors and windows, and don’t forget to give light fixtures and other surfaces a quick wipe to remove any dust or grime.
DIY Mirror & Glass Cleaner
-
- 1/4 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cups warm water
- Spray bottle
Pour the ingredients directly into a standard-size spray bottle or another container of choice. Apply the sprayer top or lid, and shake well before each use.
To Use: Spray and wipe dry with a good microfiber cloth.
Step 7: Sweep or Vacuum the Floor
Now that everything above the floor looks beautiful, quickly sweep or vacuum the floor to remove any loose debris or hair. Pay special attention to corners and baseboards, where dust and dirt tend to accumulate. While you’re there, wipe the baseboards clean, too.
Step 8: Mop or Clean the Floor
Now, it’s time to mop the floor. Easy, since this is likely the smallest room in the house. Use a damp mop or cleaning cloth and your all-purpose cleaning spray to scrub as necessary until the floor is super clean. Rinse as needed, and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth if you have time.
Step 9: Empty Trash and Replace Towels
As a final touch, replace the empty trash can, hamper, and other items on the floor. Also, replace mats, towels, and linens in your bathroom. A fresh set of towels can instantly elevate the appearance of your space and make it feel clean and inviting.
Quick Tips For Maintaining A Clean Bathroom
To keep your bathroom looking its best between deep cleanings, incorporate these quick tips into your routine:
- Wipe down surfaces regularly to prevent the build-up of grime and bacteria.
- Keep cleaning supplies easily accessible for quick touch-ups.
- Invest in a shower squeegee to minimize water spots and soap scum on shower doors and walls, then use it after every shower.
- Create a cleaning schedule to stay on top of maintenance tasks and prevent dirt and grime from building up.
You can maintain a sparkling clean bathroom with minimal time and effort by following these simple steps and incorporating these quick tips into your routine. So go ahead, confidently tackle that bathroom cleaning, and reclaim your space in just 15 minutes!
Resources
Many of the items below can be found in supermarkets or discount department stores. These Amazon links are here to assist you in making wise choices.
Question: If your bathroom could talk, what cleaning tip would it thank you for? Tell us about it in the comments below.Â
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Something that has helped me a lot is making my own cleaning “wipes”. I’ve always hated the ready made ones because they are so small and flimsy. The recipe isn’t the important part (I use 2 CP dist water, 1 CP isopropyl alcohol 70-90%, 1TB dawn, ess oil for scent). What makes them great is that I use a full sheet paper towel (prefer Bounty) and fold it twice so it’s a square. I use an inexpensive rectangle plastic container from Walmart that has a snap on lid (comes in a set of 4 with nesting sizes). I pour the liquid over the paper towels, enough to soak them good. I felt wasteful using the other wipes, but not these, and they are not flimsy, although I think next time I might try doubling them to see how that goes. My son loved them so much, I made a container of them for him in his house, and he uses them all the time, so it might make a great homemade gift.
Thanks so much for all your wonderful suggestions. I spray my shower the night before I clean the bathroom using dawn and white vinegar per your formula then spray it all off the next morning. I also throw all the towels in the washer the night before and wash over night. I’m 84, so nothing gets done in 15 minutes but I divide everything into small portions so I can get it all done.