Weekly Bathroom Cleaning Checklist

This bathroom cleaning checklist addresses all of the major surfaces and germy areas properly, so your bathroom is both clean and odor-free.

Most household surfaces need only soap and water or a vacuum to get clean. Bathrooms are different since they develop bacteria and odors we don’t usually find elsewhere in the home. If you aren’t cleaning your bathroom well enough, you’ll see obvious signs like grime-coated tubs and a stained toilet. Poor bathroom cleaning can lead to much more serious problems, though, including recurrent staph infections, e. coli and salmonella-related stomach problems, and staph infections.

Before You Start

All of my house-cleaning checklists are divided into sections, so you can adapt them to your needs. If you have the time and energy, do the whole checklist in one session. If you are short on time or energy, or you’re dealing with health issues, do one or two sections daily as you are able. By the time you’ve finished the checklist, you’ll have cleaned all of the major surfaces and many of the lesser ones, too.

Steps to Clean Your Bathroom

It is a good idea to read through the process, so you understand how to clean a bathroom and in what order. Plus, I explain several tips along the way that can help you clean more efficiently. After reading through, there’s a printable bathroom cleaning checklist available at the end.

Equipment and materials

• Trash bag
• Disinfecting spray
• Window or glass cleaner
• Floor cleaner
• Long-handled duster
• Microfiber cloths
• Broom or vacuum
• Mop and bucket
• Clean bathroom towels

See my favorite products and tools for cleaning bathrooms.

Step 1: Pick up what doesn’t belong.

Fill a bag with anything that doesn’t belong in the bathroom (like shoes, newspapers, etc.). Don’t let the pile distract you — just set it outside the door and plan to deal with it after you’ve finished. Then put away everything that’s on the vanity and tub surround. If your kids have bath toys, you might want to clean them in the dishwasher while you work.

Step 2: Pre-treat surfaces to speed up cleaning.

Turn on your bathroom exhaust fan if you have one, and spray disinfectant in the toilet bowl. Let it soak while you clean the light fixtures with the long-handled duster. Using a dry cloth, wipe the vanity before you start cleaning it. This step gets rid of hairs, makeup powders, etc., that would otherwise just get scooted around during the wet cleaning. Don’t spray anything else with a cleaner yet: you’ve still got the disinfectant going on other surfaces, and it can dangerous to use different cleaning products at the same time.

Step 3: Clean the toilet.

Scrub the toilet bowl and flush. Treat stubborn toilet stains if needed. Otherwise, spray the outside of the toilet with disinfecting cleaner and wipe it with a clean, damp cloth. Lift the lid, then spray and clean the seat. Repeat after lifting the seat to wipe the rim. Be sure you clean the hinges, too — they get really grimy, especially if you have young boys. Leave the exhaust fan running.

Step 4: Clean the vanity and countertops.

Spray cleaner on the vanity and all countertops, and then wipe them with a clean, damp cloth. Now is an excellent time to remove any scum from your soap dish by running it under hot water in the sink. Spray, then wipe down the faucets and sink basins. Before you put everything back on the vanity, clean the mirror and polish the faucets. Then return everything to the vanity, wiping each item as you go.

Step 5: Clean the tub and shower.

Spray with cleaner, then use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the walls and bathtub. Rinse thoroughly. Clean any hair out of the drain. Switch to the window cleaner and polish any metal handles, fixtures, and glass doors.

Step 6: Finish with the floor.

Before you start cleaning the floor, put the trashcan outside the bathroom door. Then sweep or vacuum the floor and immediately mop it. Try my homemade floor cleaner that kills germs, too. If you have bathroom rugs or mats, remember to wash them at least twice a month. Once the floor is dry, put the trash can back, add fresh towels, and turn off the bathroom exhaust fan. You’re done!