How to Deep Clean a Bathroom

Cleaning the bathroom is probably at the bottom of most people’s lists when it comes to cleaning chores. When you add ‘deep cleaning’ to that sentence, well, nobody wants to take on that task.

So, how can you make deep cleaning a bathroom easier and less daunting? Well, if you maintain a regular cleaning routine at least once a week and do a bathroom deep cleaning at least once a month, you can avoid the unenviable task of cleaning mold from the shower, built-up soap scum on shower doors, clumps of hair in drains, and those unsightly rings around your toilet bowl.

Learning how to deep clean a bathroom doesn’t require an assortment of professional cleaning products and hours of training. A few well-chosen products and tools, and some tips from the pros are really all you’ll need to get the job done. However, if you’d rather spend your valuable time doing something far more enjoyable, contact the cleaning pros at your local Molly Maid for help.

Prepare the Cleaning Supplies

Once you’ve mentally prepared yourself to tackle the task of deep cleaning your bathroom, it can be very frustrating to discover you are missing some of the supplies you need to do the job. The best way to avoid this is to have your arsenal of bathroom cleaning supplies together in one convenient cleaning caddy that you can easily transport to each bathroom in your house. Take a periodic inventory every few months to check supply levels and ensure your caddy is well-stocked. Here is a list of the bathroom cleaning supplies you’ll need to do a thorough cleaning job:

• Cloths to wipe down counters, toilets, and sinks.
• Vacuum cleaner or broom and dustpan for the floor.
• Toilet bowl cleaner and brush to clean and disinfect the toilet.
• Glass cleaner for the bathroom mirrors.
• All-purpose cleaner for the countertops and sinks.
• Stone or tile cleaner for granite or tile countertops.
• Scrub pads and brushes for cleaning showers, and bathroom sinks.
• Distilled white vinegar and dish soap to remove soap scum from the shower, shower doors, and tub.
• Disinfectant spray or wipes to clean the exterior of the toilet.

Now that you have a good list of the essential supplies you’ll need to do a thorough bathroom cleaning, we have some helpful bathroom cleaning tips you can use to make your job a little easier:

Clear the Clutter

Just like every other part of the house, a bathroom needs to be tidied up and clutter-free before cleaning begins. Try to keep all your bathroom accessories stored in cabinets or drawers. This makes cleaning the countertops easier because you don’t have to move and replace items every time you clean. Get rid of any items in your bathroom you don’t use on a regular basis or that have expired. This can free up valuable space in cabinets and drawers for you to keep things tidy and neat.

Wipe All Surfaces (mirrors too!)

Once you’ve decluttered and cleared the countertops, it’s time to wipe them all down using a clean cloth and the appropriate cleaner. Before you do that, make sure to clean any mirrors first. If you clean the counters before the mirrors, you’ll wind up cleaning the counters twice. Once the mirrors are clean, move onto the counters. For granite surfaces, use a specialized granite cleaner to keep them looking pristine for many years to come. For every other kind of surface, spray an all-purpose cleaner/disinfectant and wipe them down.

Clean the Floors

Depending on who uses the bathroom you’re cleaning and how often, you might need a vacuum versus a broom and dustpan to clean the floors. If the bathroom you’re cleaning accumulates a lot of dirt, hair, and other things, a vacuum is probably your best option since it will do a thorough job of getting up anything that’s on the floor. Be sure to do a thorough job of cleaning all floor surfaces without cutting corners. Once all the stuff is off the floor, follow up with a floor or tile cleaner to make it shine. 

Deep Clean your Shower

Due to the constant presence of moisture, your shower is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Use hydrogen peroxide or chlorine-based bleach to disinfect your shower and remove stubborn mold and/or mildew.

Turn on the hot water and let the shower steam up to help loosen dirt from the walls and floor. To clean the grout lines, scrub them using a toothbrush and grout cleaner. To clean the shower door, use a window cleaning solution and squeegee to get rid of any soap scum build-up. Don’t forget to check the corners for any mold. After you are done deep cleaning the shower, use the squeegee again to remove water droplets from the glass doors.

Clean the Toilet

Cleaning a toilet is not something any of us like doing, but someone has to do it. So put on some rubber gloves, a mask, and let’s get the job done. Cleaning your toilet at least once a week will minimize the amount of time it takes to clean it each time. Here’s how the pros at Molly Maid recommend cleaning a toilet.

1. Add toilet bowl cleaner around the inner rim of the bowl. Give it an initial scrub with a brush. Let the cleaner sit in the toilet bowl for at least 5 minutes. If you don’t have a toilet bowl cleaner, use baking soda.
2. Wipe down the outside of the toilet with disinfectant wipes or with a disposable cloth and multi-purpose cleaner.
3. After about 5 minutes, scrub the interior of the toilet bowl, including under the rim, and then flush the toilet.
4. Wipe down the entire toilet, including the seat and handle, with disinfectant wipes.

Clean the Sink

Did you know that the place in your bathroom with the highest bacteria count is your sink drain? If you need to get a drain clean, try pouring white vinegar or baking soda down the drain and rinse with hot water. Get out your antibacterial wipes to clean the faucet, faucet handles, and sink bowl.

Deep Clean the Floors

A bathroom floor can get dirty pretty quickly, depending on the amount of foot traffic it gets on a daily basis. If you have kids using the bathroom throughout the day, you should clean them at least once a week. Here is a good way to clean tile floors: add ¼ cup of vinegar and 1 tablespoon of dish soap to a bucket or the sink and add water. Use a mop (one you can wring out) to give your floors a good cleaning. Let the floors dry completely before letting anyone walk on them. If you’re really feeling inspired, submerge a rag into the mixture, wring out excess water, and scrub the floor by hand. Rinse the rag between passes.

Wash Towels and Bathmats

Gather all the hand towels, bath towels, and bathmats from around your bathroom and wash them. If you have any mats with a rubber backing, it’s best to air them, which will help them last longer.

Always Keep Your Bathrooms Clean

The bathroom is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, so it must be cleaned properly on a regular basis. It’s best to clean your bathroom weekly to keep up with daily use. Do a more thorough bathroom cleaning every 3-4 months to keep it looking good.

Why Choose Molly Maid Cleaning Services?

Depending on how many people share a bathroom, it should be given a quick cleaning on a daily and weekly basis. Maintaining a weekly cleaning schedule will reduce the number of times you have to deep clean your bathroom and the time it takes to complete a deep cleaning. Keeping your bathroom clean will not only reduce the number of germs and bacteria, but it will also make you feel better about your space too.  

When it comes to cleaning, the trusted and reliable professionals at your local Molly Maid can make your home shine from top to bottom. Let us put together a cleaning plan that meets both your needs and your schedule. Whether you need weekly, occasional, or special event cleaning, Molly Maid can make it happen. We have locations throughout the country, and we’re here to help you get all your cleaning done right—that’s our promise! Take the stress out of keeping your home clean and check clearing off your to-do list. Call us or request an estimate online today.