Sparkle 101: The Ultimate Guide To Cleaning Your Bathroom

There is nothing like a sparkling clean bathroom to bring you a sense of peace and satisfaction. After all, it’s more than a functional space for carrying out the necessities of life; we also refresh our mind and soul when we take care of our personal hygiene. Therefore the presence of dirt, grime, and mildew can be mentally draining. 

An unclean bathroom can also harbour harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses. Here’s a guide to giving your bathroom a really good deep clean and making sure that it is safe to use and looks gleaming.

Keep on top of simple daily cleans

Rather than let your bathroom build up into a dispiriting and time-consuming state of uncleanliness over a week or two, it can save time in the long run to carry out a few simple daily tasks. These include wiping down the shower tiles and shower screen after use, wiping toothpaste splatters from the taps and mirror, and putting bleach around the toilet rim.

Clear surfaces for a deeper weekly clean

Even the most minimal bathroom will probably have a certain amount of clutter such as soap dispensers and toothbrushes. Remove all the clutter and recyclables, empty the bin and put all the towels in the washing machine. Wipe down all surfaces with a damp cloth and a cleaning solution that is appropriate for the material.

Clean the toilet

Put on your rubber gloves and tackle the most unpleasant job first! The toilet bowl should be scrubbed with a brush and disinfectant. The toilet seat should be wiped down on top and underneath with an all-purpose cleaner and sponge, followed by the exterior of the toilet. Allow the disinfectant in the bowl to stand while you clean the rest of the bathroom.

Clean the shower unit

A shower area can be cleaned with a general-purpose bathroom cleaner or with a solution of hot water with a few drops of white vinegar and washing up liquid added to a spray bottle. Spray the whole area, including the screen, the tray, and the tiles, and leave it to work for 10 minutes before wiping down.

If you live in an area with hard water, particularly in the south and western regions of England, it may be necessary to scrub limescale off the showerhead with a more concentrated vinegar solution. 

If the grouting is looking grubby, make a paste from two parts bicarbonate soda and one part water, and then scrub with an old toothbrush. Spray the white vinegar solution over the grout to finish. More serious growth of mould and mildew may need to be removed with bleach or a commercial mould cleaner.

Scrub out the sink and bath

Next tackle the sink and bath, if you have one. Baths and sinks can be sprayed with a cleaning solution and then gently scrubbed with a soft scouring sponge to remove soap scum and dirt. Clear out any hairs or other substances from the plug hole and rinse away the remains of the cleaning product. 

If the plughole is still draining slowly, put a dishwasher tablet over the plug, or pour some neat washing up liquid over it. Boil a kettle full of water and pour down the drain to loosen up blockages caused by soap residue. However if you live in a very old house without modern pipework, be wary of using boiling water as this may damage the pipes.

Don’t forget about the taps…if they are prone to limescale build-up, spray them with a white vinegar solution, but take care not to leave it for too long as this can damage the surface of stainless steel. Wipe them down thoroughly with clean water, and then buff the surface of the taps and sink with a soft cloth for a beautiful sparkling finish.

Polish the mirror

Now all the hard scrubbing is out of the way, add a finishing flourish by polishing the mirror. For best results, wipe it down with a solution of water and white vinegar and then buff to a shine with a microfibre cloth. 

Clean bathroom accessories

Toothbrush holders and soap dishes can accumulate dirt and grime, so wash these out with washing up liquid and hot water. Wipe down any other bathroom accessories that you have before replacing them on clean shelving. 

Clean the floor last

The final task is washing the floor so that you won’t be transferring more dirt onto it during the cleaning process. Use a product suitable for the type of flooring that you have, and mop or wipe with a large cloth, paying particular attention to the area around the toilet for obvious reasons.