We all know the importance of keeping the bathroom clean. Still, many of us put it off until the last minute because it can be such a chore — the odors, the mildew, the surfaces that are so difficult to get perfectly clean.

These genius tips to deep clean a bathroom will get yours Spring Clean any time of year.

We all know the importance of keeping the bathroom clean. Still, many of us put it off until the last minute because it can be such a chore — the odors, the mildew, the surfaces that are so difficult to get perfectly clean.

Tips to Deep Clean a Bathroom

Tips to Deep Clean a Bathroom – Sparkling white bathtub and modern bathroom vanity

In most rooms, the key to thorough yet efficient cleaning is working top to bottom, left to right, so you’re never going over the same surface twice.

Bathrooms are a bit different, though: you should start by spraying the toilet and shower with cleaning products then move on to the rest of the room while the cleansers do their work.

Ceiling and Walls

1. Dirty exhaust fans don’t remove humidity efficiently and spread dust everywhere when they run. Blast fans with compressed air to dislodge dirt, or use a vacuum dust attachment.
2. Ceilings and walls collect an extraordinary amount of dust, even in a bathroom. Give yours a good cleaning with an extension duster. (See my Recommended Products page for the one I use.) Don’t forget to clean the light fixtures while you’re at it!
3. Remove hairspray from walls the same way you remove it from hair: with a little shampoo and water. The cheaper the shampoo, the better it will dissolve the hairspray! If you have wallpaper, try using a dab of rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol instead. Be sure to spot test for colorfastness first.

Mirrors

• To reduce streaks when cleaning mirrors, give them a quick dusting first. Polish tall mirrors by spraying them top to bottom with your favorite glass cleaner then use a microfiber floor mop to wipe them clean. Shorter mirrors are easy to clean by hand with a microfiber cloth.
• Keep mirrors fog-free after cleaning with shaving foam (not gel): spray it on lightly, then buff with a lint-free cloth until the foam is gone and the glass is streak-free. It works

Toilet

• Scour away toilet stains by turning the water off at the wall then flushing to empty the bowl. Use a pumice stone to scour away stains under the rim and around the waterline, then turn the water back on and flush.
• Tackle hidden bacteria around the seat. If you’re potty training children — or live with messy males — it’s a good idea to completely remove the toilet seat every couple of months to give the basin a thorough cleaning. You’ll be amazed (and disgusted) at how much nastiness builds up around the seat bolts.
• Scour away tough stains by turning the water supply valve off then flushing to empty the bowl. Sprinkle the basin with a homemade soft scrubbing cleaner and use a toilet brush to power away deep stains. Restore the water flow and flush to rinse.

Shower and Tub

• Clean your shower head to remove mold along with calcium and mineral buildup by filling a plastic bag with straight white vinegar and attaching it to your showerhead with a rubber band. Let it sit overnight, remove the bag, and scrub with an old toothbrush then run the water to dislodge any loosened gunk.
• Eliminate stubborn mold and mildew in shower and tub corners by soaking a cotton ball in rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol and letting it sit on the spot overnight.
• Clean soap scum on shower walls and glass doors with a damp dryer sheet. For more stubborn buildup, combine equal parts hot white vinegar and liquid dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the shower walls and let this solution stay in place for at least 4 hours — overnight is better — then wash it away with hot water.
• Wash plastic shower curtains in the washing machine with a hand towel or two to act as scrubbers. Launder on warm using your regular detergent and 1 cup of white vinegar. Hang to dry.
• Remove stains on the tub surround with a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Dab it on the spot and wait at least 1 hour then lightly wipe away.

Sinks and faucets

•  Remove mineral buildup using the method in #9 above, or stick a lemon wedge in the faucet tap overnight — remove it the next morning and wipe.
• Prevent water spots on chrome faucets and other fixtures by polishing them with a damp dryer sheet. The surfactants in the sheet repel water so your bathroom stays sparkling clean longer.
• Keep your drains flowing properly by cleaning them to remove soap scum and other types of buildup. Once a month, remove and wash the plug with hot, soapy water. Sprinkle baking soda into the drain and wait 5 minutes before pouring in 2 cups of very hot white vinegar. The mixture will foam and bubble, scouring away residues in the pipe.

Floors

• Remove debris first by sweeping or vacuuming. Don’t forget to clean the baseboards, too, since they collect a lot of lint and dust.
• Mop the worst spots by hand. Mops don’t do a good job cleaning around the base of or behind the toilet, so do this small area by hand. If you’re potty training boys, you might want to use an old scrub brush around the base of the toilet, too. When that’s all clean, switch to a mop.

Keep it Clean

• Prevent mold and mildew by running the fan for at least 15 minutes after every bath and shower.
• Treating messes immediately is easy when you stash disinfecting wipes under the sink. Add a bottle of bathroom disinfectant, your favorite glass cleaner and a stack of clean microfiber cloths to make more thorough cleaning convenient, too.