Let’s be honest — nobody looks forward to deep cleaning a bathroom. It’s probably the least fun room in the house to tackle. But putting it off only makes it worse. Soap scum gets harder, grout gets darker, and that weird smell around the drain doesn’t fix itself.
I used to dread bathroom cleaning day. I’d rush through it, skip the hard spots, and convince myself it was “good enough.” Then I realized something: deep cleaning a bathroom isn’t actually that bad when you have a system. The problem was never the work itself — it was not knowing where to start.
This guide breaks it down into a clear order so you’re not running back and forth or re-cleaning things you already did. Set aside about 45 minutes to an hour, put on some music or a podcast, and just work through each step.
What You’ll Need
Before you start, gather your supplies. Nothing slows you down more than running to the kitchen for a sponge you forgot.
Here’s what I use:
- All-purpose cleaner (or a DIY mix of equal parts white vinegar and water)
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Glass cleaner (or vinegar in a spray bottle for mirrors)
- Baking soda
- A scrub brush or old toothbrush for grout and tight corners
- A sponge and a microfiber cloth
- Rubber gloves (highly recommended)
- A squeegee if you have one
- Trash bag
- Mop and floor cleaner
You don’t need expensive specialty products. Most of the time, vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap handle the job just fine.
Step 1: Remove Everything Off the Counters
Before you spray anything, clear the space. Take off the soap dispenser, toothbrush holder, razors, shampoo bottles from the shower, towels, rugs — everything.
Put it all outside the bathroom or on the floor in the hallway. You want completely empty surfaces. This makes cleaning so much easier because you’re not working around things or accidentally spraying your toothbrush with cleaner.
While you’re at it, take down the shower curtain if you have a fabric one that needs washing. Throw it in the washing machine with a couple of towels and let it run.
Step 2: Start From the Top and Work Down
This is the golden rule of cleaning any room, and it especially matters in the bathroom. If you clean the floor first, then wipe the mirror, you’ll just drip water and cleaner onto your clean floor. Work from top to bottom so you never have to re-clean anything.
Here’s the order I follow:
- Walls and ceiling
- Mirror
- Shower and tub
- Sink and countertop
- Toilet
- Floor
Let’s go through each one.
Step 3: Clean the Walls, Ceiling, and Vents
You probably don’t think about your bathroom walls and ceiling much, but they collect dust, hair, and moisture residue over time. Especially near the shower.
Use a damp microfiber cloth or your all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the walls, focusing on the area around the shower and sink. If you have a vent fan on the ceiling, turn off the power and remove the cover. Wash it in the sink with warm soapy water, then dry it before putting it back.
If there are any cobwebs in the corners, grab them now.
Step 4: Clean the Mirror
Spray your glass cleaner or vinegar solution on the mirror. Wipe it down with a microfiber cloth or crumpled newspaper (yes, newspaper actually works great for streak-free mirrors). Wipe in a circular motion, then go over it again with a dry section of the cloth to remove any streaks.
Don’t forget the edges and corners where dust likes to hide.
Step 5: Tackle the Shower and Bathtub
This is usually the hardest part, especially if it’s been a while. Here’s how to make it manageable.
Remove Soap Scum and Hard Water Stains
Spray the entire shower and tub with your all-purpose cleaner or vinegar solution. Let it sit for at least 5 to 10 minutes. This is important — the cleaner needs time to break down the soap scum and hard water deposits. Don’t just spray and immediately start scrubbing.
After letting it sit, scrub the walls, floor of the tub, and around the drain with a sponge or brush. For tough spots, make a paste with baking soda and a little water. Apply it, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub.
An old toothbrush is perfect for grout lines and corners where a sponge can’t reach.
Clean the Showerhead
If your showerhead has mineral buildup, fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and tie it around the showerhead so the holes are submerged. Secure it with a rubber band. Leave it for an hour or overnight if it’s really bad, then remove the bag and run the water to flush it out.
Clean the Drain
Pull out any hair from the drain. I know it’s gross, but it has to be done. You can use a drain snake, a bent wire hanger, or even disposable drain hair catchers that you peel off and throw away.
If the drain is slow, pour half a cup of baking soda down it, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.
Squeegee the Walls
If you have a squeegee, run it over the shower walls and glass door after cleaning. This removes excess water and helps prevent future buildup. It’s also a good habit to do after every shower.
Step 6: Clean the Sink and Countertop
Spray the sink and countertop with your all-purpose cleaner. Wipe it down with a sponge or cloth. Pay attention to the area around the faucet base where grime and toothpaste tend to build up.
For the faucet itself, use an old toothbrush to scrub around the base and handles. If it has hard water spots, wipe it with vinegar and buff it dry with a microfiber cloth.
Don’t forget to clean the drain stopper. Pop it out, scrub off any gunk, and put it back.
Step 7: Clean the Toilet
Nobody’s favorite, but it has to be done.
Inside the Bowl
Apply toilet bowl cleaner under the rim and let it drip down the sides. Use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl, paying attention to the area under the rim and the water line. Let the cleaner sit for at least 10 minutes while you clean the rest of the toilet, then flush.
Outside the Toilet
Spray the outside of the toilet with all-purpose cleaner. Start with the tank, then the lid, the seat (top and bottom), the bowl exterior, and finally the base. Wipe each part with a cloth or paper towel.
Use a separate cloth or paper towels for the toilet. You don’t want to use the same cloth on your sink after cleaning the toilet.
Also wipe down the handle carefully — it’s one of the most touched surfaces in the bathroom.
Step 8: Clean the Floor
Now that everything above the floor is done, it’s time for the last step.
Sweep or Vacuum First
Sweep the floor to remove hair, dust, and debris. Pay attention to the corners and behind the toilet. If you have a vacuum that works on hard floors, that can be faster than sweeping.
Mop the Floor
Mix your floor cleaner with warm water according to the instructions. Mop the floor, starting from the farthest corner and working your way toward the door so you don’t step on wet areas.
If you have tile floors, pay attention to the grout lines. A quick scrub with an old toothbrush and baking soda paste can make a big difference.
Let the floor dry completely before putting anything back.
Step 9: Put Everything Back
Now the bathroom is clean. Put back the items you removed, but before you do, wipe down the bottom of each item. There’s no point putting a dusty soap dispenser back on a clean counter.
Replace the trash bag. Put out fresh towels if needed. If you washed the shower curtain, hang it back up.
Step 10: Maintain It Between Deep Cleans
Deep cleaning is much easier when you do small things regularly. Here are a few habits that make a big difference:
- Squeegee the shower after every use. This takes 30 seconds and dramatically reduces soap scum and hard water buildup.
- Wipe the sink daily. A quick wipe with a cloth after brushing your teeth keeps toothpaste and water spots from building up.
- Run the exhaust fan during and after showers. This reduces moisture and helps prevent mold.
- Keep a squeegee or cloth in the shower. Make it easy to do a quick wipe-down without leaving the shower.
- Clean the toilet weekly. A quick scrub with the brush takes two minutes and prevents stains from setting in.
If you do these small things, your deep clean will be much faster and less effort next time.
How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Bathroom?
For most homes, a full deep clean every two to four weeks is ideal. If you have a large family or multiple people using the same bathroom, you might need to do it more often.
At minimum, aim for a deep clean once a month. Mark it on your calendar so you don’t forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bleach to clean my bathroom?
You can, but be careful. Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia — it creates toxic fumes. For regular cleaning, vinegar and baking soda work well and are safer. Reserve bleach for disinfecting specific areas like the toilet bowl if needed.
How do I remove mold from bathroom grout?
Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply it to the moldy grout, spray with vinegar, and let it fizz for a few minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush, then rinse. For stubborn mold, you may need a commercial mold remover or to re-caulk the area.
What’s the best way to keep a shower clean?
The best method is prevention. Squeegee the walls after every shower, run the exhaust fan to reduce moisture, and spray the shower with a daily shower cleaner or diluted vinegar once a week. This prevents buildup before it starts.
Do I need to clean behind the toilet?
Yes, during a deep clean. Dust, hair, and moisture collect back there. It only takes a minute to wipe it down, and it helps prevent odors and potential mold growth.
How do I get rid of a musty smell in the bathroom?
Usually it’s caused by moisture. Check for leaks, clean the drain, run the exhaust fan during and after showers, and make sure the bathroom gets good ventilation. If the smell persists, check for hidden mold under the sink or behind the toilet.