Your bathroom requires daily attention. While it isn’t necessary to deep clean the space every day, certain areas—floors, shower walls, drain covers, sinks, faucets, and countertops—need maintenance daily.
“In general, the bathroom is one of the most-used rooms in the house, and because of this, it’s one of the hardest to keep clean,” says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid. “Bathrooms are the breeding ground for germs, so it’s important to regularly clean the area to prevent the spread of bacteria and maintain a healthy environment for your family.”
For this reason, daily, weekly, and monthly tasks must be completed to ensure your bathroom not only stays in top shape but also doesn’t become a harbinger of bacteria. Mock says to start by clearing all countertops, storing cosmetics, and removing the trash, towels, and rugs. Once you’ve done this, your space is ready to tackle.
Marla Mock is the president of the professional home cleaning service Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.
Daily Bathroom Cleaning Routine
Everyday upkeep is essential not only for appearances but also for the overall health of your family. Mock suggests adding these bathroom cleaning tasks to your daily to-do list.
- Vacuum the floor: A quick sweep with a cordless or handheld vacuum (depending on the size of your space) should do the trick. Be sure to pick up any rugs or mats and evaluate whether they need to be washed.
- Check the drain cover: Mock suggests placing nylon netting over the shower or tub drain to prevent hair clogs. Remove any hair buildup from the cover daily.
- Wipe faucets, countertops, switches, doorknobs, toilet, and sink: Mock likes to keep wipes under the sink to make this step a breeze. All faucets, switches, doorknobs, countertops, toilets, and the interior of the sink should be wiped down at least once a day.
- Squeegee the shower enclosure: If you have glass shower walls, a daily once-over with a squeegee can keep soap scum and water marks at bay.
- Add fragrance: Mock advises giving your bath a pleasant smell with toilet deodorizing spray, a candle, or potpourri.
Weekly Bathroom Cleaning Routine
The tasks required for weekly bathroom cleaning will be a little more time-intensive, but thanks to your daily maintenance, they shouldn’t be overwhelming.
- Deep clean: According to Mock, the tub, toilet, and shower should be the focus areas for deep cleaning. These areas should be cleaned from top to bottom. Be sure to vacuum around the toilet before cleaning, then wipe down the entire unit, including the sides, tank, and seat.
- Wipe surfaces: Mirrors, countertops, and sinks should all be cleaned weekly to remove toothpaste, water spots, and other small messes.
- Floors: While a quick daily run of the vacuum should keep most hair and debris in check, you’ll want to do a more thorough vacuuming once a week. This should include using the crevice tool to get into corners, around the floorboards, and even ceiling corners to remove any dust or cobwebs. After vacuuming, mop the floor with a disinfecting solution.
Less Frequent Bathroom Cleaning Tasks
Once a month, give special attention to cabinets, curtains, vents, and fans in your bathroom.
- Organize cabinets: If you like to keep your storage areas tidy, this cleaning task is a breeze. Be sure to wipe down shelves and vacuum the floor as well.
- Wash blinds and shower curtains: Mock suggests washing shower curtains (including the liner) in cold water and using an all-purpose cleaner to rid blinds of dirt, dust, and debris.
- Vents and fans: While Mock says it’s not necessary to deep-clean vents and bathroom fans yearly, regular maintenance should be a priority. Remove the covers, dust, and wipe clean.
Factors That Increase Cleaning Frequency
Certain scenarios require more frequent cleaning. “If you live in an area with high humidity levels, the moisture can lead to mold and mildew, requiring more frequent cleaning,” says Mock. If you have pets, use one bathroom more often than others. If you have many people in your household, you’ll also need to increase the frequency of your cleaning.
Factors That Decrease Cleaning Frequency
This might seem like a lot of cleaning tasks to add to your list if they’re not already on your radar, but keeping up with this routine can save you time in the long run. “If you consistently clean your bathroom, it helps it to stay cleaner for longer periods,” Mock advises. Bathrooms that aren’t used often and bathrooms with good airflow (thanks to reduced moisture buildup) require less frequent cleaning.
