How to Deep Clean a Bathroom (Step-by-Step Like a Pro)

By /

Bathrooms get dirty fast. Soap scum, hair, bacteria, mold, and hard water stains build up before you even realize it. A quick wipe-down helps in the short term, but a true deep clean goes way further — and makes your bathroom stay cleaner for longer.

This guide walks you through a professional-level bathroom deep clean that you can complete in about 60–90 minutes using simple household supplies.

For more cleaning tips, visit our Cleaning & Care section or explore related fixes under Plumbing Fixes.

What You’ll Need

Before you start, gather everything so you’re not running around mid-clean:

Supplies:

  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Bathroom cleaner or disinfectant spray
  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar
  • Toilet bowl cleaner
  • Glass cleaner
  • Microfiber cloths or paper towels
  • Scrub brush
  • Old toothbrush (for tight corners)
  • Rubber gloves
  • Mop (if tiled floor)
  • Trash bag

Optional:

  • Steam cleaner
  • Extendable tile brush
  • Magic eraser

Step 1: Declutter the Entire Bathroom

Start with a clean slate.

Remove:

  • Towels
  • Bath mat
  • Shower products
  • Toothbrush holders
  • Trash can
  • Anything sitting on counters

Put dirty towels and mats straight into the wash.

A completely empty bathroom makes it way easier to hit every surface.

Step 2: Spray First, Let Products Sit

This is the secret to easier cleaning — let chemicals do the work.

Spray these areas right away:

  • Shower walls & tub
  • Sink basin
  • Toilet bowl
  • Countertops
  • Tiles & grout lines

Now leave them alone for 10–15 minutes while they break down grime and soap scum.

Step 3: Deep Clean the Toilet

Let’s knock out the worst part first.

Breakdown:

  1. Squirt toilet bowl cleaner inside the bowl.
  2. Close the lid and let it sit for 10 minutes.
  3. Scrub inside with a toilet brush, focusing:
    • Under the rim
    • Water line
    • Bottom siphon hole

Now clean the outside:
Use disinfectant on:

  • Flush handle
  • Lid and seat
  • Back of tank
  • Base and floor around toilet

(Pro tip: The toilet flush handle is one of the dirtiest surfaces in your house.)

Step 4: Shower and Tub Deep Clean

Soap scum and bacteria love your shower.

For Regular Grime:

  • Use bathroom cleaner and a scrub brush or sponge.
  • Work top to bottom so dirt flows downward.

For Heavy Soap Scum:

Mix:

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp dish soap
    Warm it slightly and spray on surfaces.

Let sit for 15 minutes, then scrub.

For Grout:

Use:

  • Baking soda + water paste
  • Old toothbrush

Scrub grout lines firmly, then rinse with warm water.

Step 5: Sink & Countertops

Bathroom sinks hold bacteria, toothpaste buildup, and soap residue.

  1. Spray all-purpose cleaner.
  2. Scrub around:
    • Faucet base
    • Drain area
    • Handles
  3. Wipe with microfiber cloth until dry.

Don’t Forget:

  • Soap dispenser
  • Cup holders
  • Behind the faucet
  • Under countertop edges

These are sneaky dirt zones most people skip.

Step 6: Mirrors & Glass

Use glass cleaner or a vinegar-water mix:

  • 1 part vinegar
  • 1 part water

Spray lightly and wipe in circles using a dry microfiber cloth.

Avoid using paper towels if possible — they leave lint streaks.

Step 7: Floor Deep Clean

Most bathroom floors get nasty fast due to moisture and foot traffic.

For Tile Floors:

  1. Sweep first.
  2. Mop using warm water + floor cleaner.
  3. Focus around:
    • Toilet base
    • Behind the door
    • Corners

For Vinyl Floors:

Avoid soaking — just damp mop to prevent warping.

Step 8: Final Touches

Put everything back:

  • Fresh towels
  • Clean bath mat
  • Restocked toiletries

Open a window if possible or run a fan for airflow.

You now just reset your bathroom back to factory condition.

How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Bathroom?

Weekly:

  • Sink
  • Toilet
  • Mirror
  • Counter

Monthly:

  • Full shower scrub
  • Floor deep mop
  • Grout cleaning

Quarterly:

  • Behind toilet
  • Baseboards
  • Exhaust fan

DIY Cleaning Solution Recipes

All-Purpose Bathroom Spray:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 10 drops lemon essential oil

Grout Cleaner:

  • 3 tbsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide
    Stir into paste

Common Bathroom Cleaning Mistakes

Avoid these:

❌ Mixing bleach and vinegar (creates toxic gas)
❌ Using abrasive scrubbers on delicate surfaces
❌ Skipping ventilation
❌ Spraying glass in direct sunlight

Final Thoughts

A deep-cleaned bathroom:

  • Smells better
  • Stays cleaner longer
  • Feels 10x more comfortable to use

It’s not fun — but it’s worth it.

Rotate this routine once per month and your bathroom will never get out of control again.

Explore More:

Category:

Site Links:

Scroll to Top