How to Clean a Bathroom

A Step By Step Guide to Care for the Bath, Shower, Sink and Toilet

Jan 8, 2009 Karen Murdarasi

Cleaning the toilet has a terrible reputation as a nasty job, but cleaning the bathroom doesn't have to be an ordeal if you know what you are doing.

Before you start you will need a cloth, a toilet brush, a cream cleaner or spray cleaner and some bleach or toilet gel. You can wear rubber gloves but they are not necessary if you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Caution: Some baths and sinks are made of enamel or marble. These will be damaged by ordinary cleaners and you will need to use a specialist enamel or marble cleaner.

The Bath and / or Shower

Despite the toilet's fearsome reputation, this will be your biggest job. If you have an aerosol bath foam it's easier, but foams are expensive. A spray cleaner or cream cleaner will do just as well.

First, remove any shampoos and other products from the bath or shower and set them aside. If using a foam, spray it on the bath, leave it for the recommended time (see the can for details), then simply rinse it off using the shower head. If you do not have a shower attachment, wipe it off using a wet cloth, rinsing frequently.

If using a bathroom spray, spray all surfaces of the bath or shower, then immediately wipe off with a wet cloth, either rinsing the cloth frequently or using water from the shower head. Pay special attention to areas where the cloth does not pass smoothly - this is soap scum, which needs to be rubbed off.

If using a cream cleaner, apply the cleaner to the cloth and wipe on to the surfaces of the bath or shower. You will need to re-wet the cloth a few times, and may need to re-apply cream cleaner. When you have finished, rinse as with the spray cleaner (see above). Again, pay special attention to areas where the cloth sticks.

You may wish to use a shower spray at this point, to stop the build up of soap scum in the future. Put the shampoos etc. back in their place.

Always be careful when leaning over the bath – try not to lean forwards and sideways at the same time as this may hurt your back. Don't rest much weight on your hand, either, as the surfaces will be slippery.

The Sink or Washhandbasin

Remove all soaps, toothbrushes etc. from the sink. Spray the sink with cleaner or apply cream cleaner to your cloth. Rub the surfaces of the sink. Also wipe the outside of the sink – it doesn't get as dirty, but may be dusty or splashed.

Clean carefully around the base of the taps, where dirt sticks. Clean under the front of the taps by holding the cloth at its edges and rubbing it from side to side it under the tap as you would do with a towel when drying your back.

Rinse the cloth and use it to rinse the sink. You may also apply shower spray to the sink. Put the soap etc. back in place.

The Toilet

Whatever order you do the sink, bath and shower in, leave the toilet until last. First, clean every surface except the inside of the bowl using cream cleaner. If using a spray cleaner instead, spray it on to your cloth so you don't accidentally get it on the floor and walls.

Remember to clean the lid of the cistern, the top and bottom of the toilet lid and seat, and round the outside of the bowl. Pay special attention to the handle, seat, and the front of the bowl rim, as this is where germs and stains are found. If you have a hard floor and no toilet mat, also wipe down the area in front of the toilet. When you have cleaned everything, rinse the cloth and rinse the surfaces.

If the toilet bowl (the part which holds the water) is dirty, apply a cream cleaner or bleach and scrub with a toilet brush, using a gentle, circular motion. Too hard, and you'll splash water in your face! Flush the toilet, holding the brush in the flow of water to rinse it.

Once you have done this (or without doing it, if the bowl does not appear dirty), squeeze bleach or toilet gel right under the rim of the bowl. It will flow down towards the water by itself. Leave it on for the time recommended on the bottle (or for 10 to 15 minutes if no indication is given), then flush again.

Make sure you disinfect the cloth afterwards by letting it soak for an hour or two in a basin of water with a squirt of bleach. Job done!

The copyright of the article How to Clean a Bathroom in Home Management is owned by Karen Murdarasi. Permission to republish How to Clean a Bathroom in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.