Do you ever avoid cleaning your dirty bathroom because you think it’s going to be a total slog?
Hey, I get it – no one really wants to clean their bathroom.
I mean I don’t even though my bathroom is small, but I have to as part of my cleaning schedule.
I mean, the grime?
The mess?
The horror!
But you really shouldn’t avoid cleaning your bathroom because, to be honest, it doesn’t have to take that long.
In fact, you can turn your dirty bathroom nightmare into a sparkling sanctuary in just 15 minutes!
Here’s how you can get started.
Step 1: Prep Like a Pro
The key to tackling your dirty bathroom quickly is getting everything ready!
Start by gathering your cleaning supplies.
You’ll need a
- toilet bowl cleaner
- bathroom cleaner spray
- a scrub brush
- a microfiber cloth
- a glass cleaner
- trash bag
If that sounds like a lot to cart around your home, why not set up a bathroom cleaning caddy?
Just use a bucket or container with a handle to store all of your cleaning supplies.
Then you can stash it under the sink or in a closet (depending on your space) and haul it out once it’s time to get your clean on.
Oh, and don’t forget to put on some upbeat music to set the mood!
Step 2: Clear the Clutter
Before you get to scrubbing your dirty bathroom, do a good declutter first.
Put away your toiletries, dirty laundry, and anything else that doesn’t belong out and about.
The less stuff you have to move around, the quicker the process will be!
If you’re short on counter space, check out these under the sink organization ideas and these makeup storage solutions.
You can use stylish baskets or organizers to keep things tidy in your bathroom.
If you can keep your bathroom tidy every day, then you can skip this step altogether when it comes time to clean!
And who doesn’t love spending less time cleaning?
Step 3: Attack the Toilet
Now that you’re ready to get down to some real cleaning, I suggest you attack the dirtiest task – the toilet.
Start by throwing in some toilet bowl cleaner, and let it sit while you do some of these other cleaning steps.
Don’t forget, we’re trying to clean up your dirty bathroom as quickly as possible!
Come back and use your toilet brush to scrub away any stains and grime.
Use a cloth to wipe down the flush handle and surrounding areas.
For extra cleanliness and protection (for yourself, not the bathroom), wear disposable gloves – especially if you are using products with bleach in them.
If you want to cut down on the toilet scrubbing, try using a toilet bowl cleaner tablet.
These are thrown in the tank, and slowly release a cleaner into the bowl with each flush.
This will help to keep your toilet clean between deep cleans and save you tons of time!
You can even make your own toilet bowl cleaner tablets! All you need is:
- 2 cups of baking soda
- 1/2 cup of citric acid
- 1-2 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar
- 35 drops of essential oil (optional, but your toilet will smell amazing!)
Mix the baking soda and citric acid in a large bowl.
Mix in the vinegar a couple of drops at a time (we’re not doing a volcano science experiment here) and whisk between every drop.
Yeah, it’s going to take a while, so maybe make these before you start cleaning your bathroom.
Add enough vinegar so that the mixture gets clumpy, then add the essential oil. Scoop the mixture into an ice cube tray and pack it in firmly.
Let the toilet bombs set for about an hour until they are hard. Pop them out, and they are good to go!
Step 4: Spray and Wipe
Now that the toilet is taken care of, it’s time to do a good spray and wipe!
Grab your bathroom cleaner spray and tackle the counter, sink, faucet, and any other surface. Use glass cleaner to take care of the mirror.
I don’t know about you, but I love using fall scented cleaners to clean my counter, faucet, towel bars and around the mirror frame.
It just makes my bathroom smell oo soo yummy!
Of course, you can also use a multi-surface cleaner (like Fabuloso!) to simplify the process and try to stay away from sprays that contain bleach.
If you do have to use a bleach spray to tackle stains, use it only in troublesome spots – and make sure your bathroom is properly ventilated!
And if you thought I had a quick and easy recipe for making your own bathroom spray, you’re right!
Just take 1 cup of warm water, 1/4 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol, 10 drops of tea tree oil, and 10 drops of lemon oil.
In this case, the essential oils actually help out with cleaning and disinfecting!
Whisk together the water and baking soda until the baking soda is dissolved, then add the alcohol and oils.
Use a funnel to pour it into a glass spray bottle, and you’re good to go!
Step 5: Tackle the Bathtub and Shower
Okay, so if your bathroom has a shower or bathtub, you’re going to have to address the soap scum and grime.
But if you’re wondering how to clean a dirty bathtub, I have you covered!
Use your bathroom cleaner spray and spray the inside of the bathtub.
Then use a Scrub Daddy (it really works!) or sponge to scrub away any dirt and residue.
You’re definitely going to want to use something slightly abrasive – a microfiber cloth won’t cut it here.
For stubborn grime, you can always pour some Blue Dawn in your bathroom, too!
If you have glass shower doors, the same procedure applies.
Just don’t forget to clean out the tracks too!
To keep your glass shower doors sparkling on a regular basis and cut down on the time it takes to clean your dirty bathroom, you can always use a squeegee after your shower to prevent residue and water marks.
Step 6: Time for the Floor
Believe it or not, we’re almost done!
Tackle the bathroom floor by sweeping or vacuuming it to get rid of any loose dirt and hair.
Then use a mop or microfiber cloth (if your bathroom is small) with warm, soapy water to clean the floor.
If you want your bathroom to smell fabulous, use Fabuloso cleaners!
They come in some amazing scents, and I absolutely love using them to clean my bathroom.
Step 7: Finishing Touches
Alright, we’re in the home stretch!
But before you kick back and bask in the glory of your clean bathroom, here are some quick finishing touches that can boost your bathroom’s sparkle:
- Give the toilet one more flush and an extra wipe.
- Replace the garbage bag in your trash can. Who wants the lingering stench of stinky garbage in their clean bathroom?
- Check for missed spots on the mirror or glass surfaces. A streak or smudge can really ruin the vibe of your newly cleaned space!
- Toss your towels into the hamper and replace them with fresh and clean ones.
- Straighten up your toiletries and bathroom essentials on your counter and under your sink.
Also, take a deep breath for a job well done and move on to the final step.
Step 8: Freshen Up
Everything is clean, so why not make your bathroom smell nice too?
You can light a scented candle, use an air freshener, or check out these awesome hacks to make your bathroom smell good every day.
Here are some DIY ideas you can also try:
- Create your own potpourri (it’s not just your grandmother’s smell-good go-to!) by combining dried flowers, herbs, and spices. Display it in a decorative bowl or pouch.
- Put a bowl of baking soda with a few citrus peels in your bathroom. The baking soda will absorb the odor, and the citrus will make it smell fresh.
- Mix a few drops of your favorite essential oil with water in a spray bottle for a quick and fragrant spritz.
Bathroom Maintenance Mode
If you want to keep your regular cleaning efforts around 15 minutes, it’s worth your while to prevent grime and dirt from accumulating in the first place.
By proactively going into maintenance mode in your bathroom, you can keep it pristine over time.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Daily Wipe-Downs: The secret to a continuously clean bathroom is wiping down everything daily. That means taking a cloth and giving your counter, bathtub, and toilet a quick swipe. It doesn’t take long, and it’ll help prevent nasty and stubborn grime from forming!
- Cleaning Schedule: Creating a cleaning schedule will help you stay organized and on top of your bathroom’s cleanliness. You can use a physical calendar or use an app on your phone. This will help you regularly clean your bathroom so it doesn’t become dirty and scummy.
- Delegate Tasks: If you live with family members or roommates, make sure everyone pitches in when it comes to keeping the bathroom clean by assigning specific responsibilities. If you live alone, sorry, it’s all on you.
Keeping up with bathroom maintenance mode means that you don’t have to spend hours cleaning your bathroom. And your bathroom will be consistently fresh and inviting every day!
We’re Going Deep – Deep Cleaning Your Bathroom
Even regularly cleaning and maintaining your bathroom isn’t going to be enough to keep it completely 100% clean. Sometimes, you do have to invest more time in making sure every nook and cranny gets a little TLC.
I guess this is part of maintenance, but I want to give you some awesome tips for doing a deep clean on your bathroom.
If you give your bathroom a good deep clean when necessary, then regular cleaning and maintenance are easy peasy!
Here’s how you can tackle a periodic deep clean:
- Wash Your Shower Curtain: If you have a fabric shower curtain, toss it in the washing machine. For plastic shower curtains, soak it in the bathtub and give it a good scrub. Oh, and if your liner is showing signs of mold or mildew, give it the ol’ toss and replace.
- Scrub That Grout: Over time, grout lines between tiles can collect dirt and mold. Using a grout brush or an old toothbrush, scrub it with a mix of baking soda and water.
- Sanitize Your Garbage Can: Even if you use a garbage bag, you should sanitize the can inside and out in order to eliminate germs and odors.
- Polish the Fixtures: Mineral deposits and soap scum will accumulate on your faucets, handles, and showerhead over time. Use a mix of equal parts water and white vinegar to remove these deposits. If you can’t unscrew your showerhead, fill a plastic bag with water and vinegar and tie it to your showerhead.
- Give Your Bath Mat a Wash: Bath mats are great at keeping your floors dry when you step out of a shower, but they collect a lot of moisture over time. Every now and then, you should throw your bath mat into the washer and let it completely dry before returning it to the bathroom floor.
- Tackle a Dirty Bath Tub: Even with regular cleaning, bathtubs can get dirty. If you’re wondering how to clean a disgusting bathtub, mix some baking soda, Blue Dawn, and lemon juice until it’s foamy, and then coat the tub with it. Let it sit for 30 minutes, and then give it a good scrub. Ta-da!
Thankfully, these are not cleaning tasks you have to do all the time to keep up with a dirty bathroom!
How often you deep clean your bathroom depends on its usage, but once a month is your best bet.
Dirty Bathroom Begone!
In just 15 minutes, you can take your dirty bathroom from zero to hero, and with some maintenance and regular deep cleaning, you can enjoy a clean bathroom oasis every day.
So don’t worry about spending hours scrubbing and cleaning your bathroom.
With these quick and easy steps, you’ll be able to scrub down your dirty bathroom in no time flat!
And remember to follow me on Pinterest for more cleaning, organizing and home decor advice!
