How To Deep Clean Your Bathroom in 20 Minutes

For those of you who are new to the concept of deep cleaning, it includes the regular cleaning you do on a weekly or daily basis, as well as reaching the deep, disgusting parts of your bathroom that aren’t normally covered (or thought of).

You will need to plan ahead (because that’s how you’ll be able to get it done in 20 minutes), your preferred cleaning products (when in doubt, use an all-purpose cleaner), and remember to ventilate the area.

Here are some possible cleaning products and supplies you’ll need:

• All-purpose cleaner (if you are looking to disinfect surfaces, make sure and use EPA-approved cleaners)
• Glass cleaner
• Baking soda and vinegar
• Tile and grout cleaner
• Double-sided bucket
• Grout and toilet brush
• Microfiber towel and mop
• Gloves
• Broom and extendible duster
• Vacuum

“Make a detailed list of everything that needs to be done,” suggested mother of four Tabitha Hawkins to Mom.com. “Then split it between your kids — preferably ages 11 and up.”

Safety note: If you are having your kids help you out, make sure to carefully supervise them when using cleaning chemicals, and make note of which products — such as bleach and ammonia, and bleach and vinegar — should never be mixed together.

Here are some of the areas you’ll want to add on your deep clean list:

• Shower, bathtub, grout
• Showerhead
• Shower doors and handles
• Bathroom sink and counters
• Inside and outside the toilet
• Mirrors
• Light fixtures, switches, and vents
• Floors
• Bath mats and rugs
• Trash can

Certified professional organizer Katie Hoschouer had an important tip: “So much of being able to clean something is being able to access the surfaces,” she told Mom.com. “Throw away empty bottles, toilet paper rolls, and empty the trash can before you start spraying and scrubbing.”

Laura Canada O’Neill agreed. “Bathroom deep cleaning means taking out all the non-permanent things,” the mom of four suggested to Mom.com. “It is amazing how much crud can collect around those items! This is also when I clean baseboards and wash the walls.”

Delegating items and getting your bathroom and supplies prepped is key. The more organized you are, the faster it will go.

Shower and bath

1. Pour enough vinegar in a plastic bag to submerge your showerhead with vinegar. Tie the bag, leaving it overnight to soak. The next morning, remove the bag and run the water to rinse.
2. Wash all shower curtains with some old towels and hang to dry.
3. For glass shower doors, mix 1 part distilled white vinegar with 3 parts distilled water in a bowl and microwave for 60 seconds. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray onto glass, letting it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Then, use a microfiber cloth to wipe dry from top to bottom.
4. For grout, you can use a special tile and mildew spray. Alternatively, mix ½ cup baking soda, ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide, 1 teaspoon dish soap. Spoon the mix onto the grout and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Scrub hard with a grout brush.
5. For a bathtub, first pour hot water from a bucket all over the tub. Sprinkle baking soda on all surfaces. Fill your bucket with a half gallon of hot water and two tablespoons of dish soap. Then use a stiff brush or sponge to dip into the bucket and scrub the tub. If your tub is really dirty, use a store bought tile cleaner.

Tiles, walls, and ceilings
Spray all surfaces like countertops, tile, walls, and the ceiling with all-purpose cleaner. Run the shower for five minutes to build up steam. Shut the door and let the steam and cleaner mix for 20 minutes. Then wipe down all surfaces with a clean cloth. For walls and ceilings, you can use a microfiber mop to reach the high spaces.

Bathroom sink
First, pour vinegar or baking soda down the drain and rinse with hot water. Use disinfecting wipes for the handles and faucets in order to prevent transfer of bacteria from other parts of the bathroom (like the toilet). Use floss to clean the base, where the faucet and taps are flush with the sink.

Toilets
Coat the entire toilet bowl with a toilet cleaner — preferably one with bleach. Scrub the bowl hard with a toilet brush and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. While that is sitting, wipe down outside of your toilet with a disinfectant wipe, as well as the outer lid, and then the inner lid. Then, use a bathroom specific disinfectant spray and leave it on for as long as the cleaner recommends (usually 10 minutes). Don’t forget to spray the flush handle. Then wipe everything down with clean cloths.