Here's a little secret. No one likes cleaning their bathroom. There...we said it. But there's also an easier way to do it. Do you want to know how? Download a checklist. It keeps you on track and makes your bathroom cleaning adventure that much easier. Plus, if you follow it for daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning, you'll find that you are spending a lot less time disinfecting your toilets and more time binge-watching that must-see Netflix series.
Bathroom Cleaning Supplies to Keep Handy
The first step to easier bathroom cleaning is grabbing your cleaning supplies. Now, this doesn't mean you need to grab the bleach and scrubbing bubbles. You can if you want to, but your pantry probably has most of the things you need to clean every crevice of your bathroom without a trip to the store.
- Favorite cleaners
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Rubbing alcohol
- Bar Keepers Friend
- Spray bottle
- Squeegee
- Microfiber clothes
- Sponges
- Mop
- Bucket
- Broom and dustpan
Daily Schedule to Clean Bathroom in 15 Minutes or Less
Everyone has 15 minutes to dedicate to their bathroom. Sure, it would be more fun to spend those 15 minutes on TikTok, but we're making good cleaning habits. Have a plan of attack for your bathroom daily to make your job a lot easier when the weekend comes. You'll have more time for tacos with friends.
Declutter Countertops
Take a moment during your morning run to declutter and put away everything, from cosmetics to toiletries. Taking just three to five minutes for cleaning makes all the difference. Plus, everything is easier to find tomorrow.
Wipe Everything Down
Kids can get a little messy with the water and toothpaste. Most adults can too. Spray a microfiber cloth with a bit of rubbing alcohol. Dry up any water spots on the fixtures, sink, toilet, etc. Bonus: it disinfects as it shines.
Dry Out the Shower
Drying out the shower can save you time removing water spots later. Take the towel you showered with and dry everything down. It'll take 30 seconds.
Hang Up Towels
Mildew doesn't smell great. So, hang up any wet towels or bathmats to dry out. You might also want to change out your hand towels since they can be germy gems.
Weekly Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
Maybe Wednesday is your day off. Or, you might have a little extra time on the weekend. If you've got 30 minutes to spend on your bathroom, then grab your favorite tunes and get to cleaning. Rather than just a wipe-down, you're going to get a down and dirty. You want to remove the week's worth of crud that you've built on your tubs, toilets, and sinks.
Take Out Dirty Laundry
Before cleaning, you need to pregame. Remove any wet and dirty laundry. You'll also need to replace all your towels with fresh ones.
Sanitize Counters and Sinks
Most sinks aren't getting too cruddy if you are cleaning them daily. So, a bit of baking soda and white vinegar will shine everything up nicely. Be sure to remove and reorganize everything on the counter after cleaning.
Disinfect and Clean Toilets
Toilets bowls are downright nasty, so don't let them go. Give them a good scrubbing at least once a week. You'll also want to wipe them down with a bit of rubbing alcohol regularly when anyone is sick. It's also important to clean your toilet brush after use.
De-scum Showers and Tubs
Tub cleaning could be light or deep, depending on how much you use your tub. For example, if you have a household of six, your tub is getting a lot of use. If you have hard water, a week of build-up is waiting for you. Grab the Bar Keepers Friend to make deep cleaning easier.
Take Out Trash
Dump out the trash and replace it with a fresh bag. It's important to check that the container doesn't need a good wipe down or cleaning, too.
Check Drains
Make sure all your drains are functioning properly. If any are a little show, use a homemade drain cleaner concoction to clear them out.
Wipe Down Mirrors and Light Fixtures
Once you scrub all the basic areas, check out your mirrors, light switches, and door handles. Spray down a cloth with a bit of rubbing alcohol and give them a wipe.
Sweep and Mop Floors
The time has come. You've worked your way down to cleaning the floor. Give it a good sweep and mop, paying special attention to around the toilet. And you're done.
Monthly Checklist to Declutter Your Bathroom
It's good to give your bathroom a once-over each month. Go beyond just your basic cleaning to check for clogged showerheads and dirty baseboards. This type of cleaning takes about an hour but only needs to be done every 30-45 days.
Wash Liners and Curtains
Shower curtains and liners deal with a lot of water, especially if you have hard water. Now is the time to pull them down and throw them in the wash. If you don't have a shower curtain, then check your shower doors and tracks.
Wash Bathroom Rugs
When you're throwing your liners in the wash, check your bathmats. Put them in the wash as well to give them a good clean.
Dust Baseboards
Baseboards don't get the TLC they need. Because who looks at baseboards? Well, now is their time to shine. Grab a microfiber cloth and a bit of rubbing alcohol and wipe them down.
Clean and Dust Fan Cover and Light Fixture
Look over your head at the fixtures above you, too. Does your bathroom fan or light look dusty or dirty? Then wipe it down.
Clean Out Drawers and Medicine Cabinet
Since you're deep cleaning, it's time to assess your drawers and cabinets. Are there any old medicines you need to dispose of? Is your organization system the best? Take the time to organize and refresh your drawers and cabinets.
De-scum Showerheads
Showerheads get clogged and gross, and they're typically harder to reach, so you don't think about them much. Take down the head and give it a good soak or scrub to remove any residue or calcium build-up.
Bathroom Cleaning Checklist for Seasonal Changes
The changing of the seasons is a great time to refresh your bathroom. You might put out new festive towels and mats and refresh your décor. It's also a great time to do a bit of maintenance cleaning.
Clean or Replace Trashcan
Your trashcan needs love, too. If you don't add a new festive can, give your can a good cleaning. You should probably replace rusty metal cans.
Reseal Surfaces as Needed
Check all your surfaces, from your tub and showers to your bathroom grout. Is anything looking a bit worn? If so, then it's time to give them a new coat.
Clean Bathroom Vent Fan
You might forget about your bathroom vent most of the time. But constantly sucking moisture and smells out of the air is hard work. So, you'll want to clean out your fan vent every few months.
Bathroom Cleaning Hacks to Make Your Job Easier
Bathroom cleaning can be a lot. And it's one of those jobs that feels like it never ends. You can try a few hacks to make your life a little easier.
- Leave a few extra trashcan bags in the bottom of the can for ease.
- Keep a microfiber cloth handy to buff water spots when they happen.
- Invest in a shower squeegee and just leave it in the shower to use.
- Vacuum out bathroom fan grills regularly to help prevent dust accumulation.
- Keep bathroom cleaners under your sink so they're handy.
- Let specific areas of the bathroom soak while working on others, so you have to scrub less.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Bathroom Checklist
Having a checklist isn't going to magically make your bathroom sparkly clean. It's all about keeping distractions in check and establishing good cleaning habits. Give yourself a little shove in the right direction by trying a few of these tips.
- Set a reminder on your phone with the bathroom cleaning checklist readily available.
- Post a checklist for bathroom cleaning in an easy-to-see area as a reminder.
- Grab some headphones and find some tunes that get you pumped for longer bathroom cleaning sessions.
- Keep your cleaners in one place in a caddy for easy access.
- Schedule bathroom cleaning and decluttering at the same time every day. For example, you might start doing it before bed when brushing your teeth or in the morning when you are getting ready.
Make Bathroom Cleaning Easy With a Checklist
Who doesn't love making cleaning easier? Checklists can make that happen. Not only do they keep you on task, but they lay out everything that needs to be done. So, whether it's you or your son cleaning the bathroom, it should get the same love each time.
