House cleaning is a productive way for us mums to destress and get some much-needed exercise. A little wipe here and a bit of washing there interestingly make life calmer for us. But sometimes, we need to go beyond visible dirt and flat surfaces, especially in the bathroom corners where harmful bacteria lurk. This bathroom deep cleaning checklist will make sure you get to shower with peace of mind.

Bathroom Deep Cleaning Schedule

Weekly bathroom cleaning helps in tidying up frequently used spots and organising things. But over time, grime and bacteria can pile up in nooks and crannies. You can probably smell something nasty and musty, too. In this case, you need to do some deep cleaning.

How often you have to do this depends on you and your bathroom use. But ideally, schedule it once a month, then make it a cleaning routine so it won’t be laborious and time-consuming.

Bathroom Deep Cleaning Tasks

Having a bathroom cleaning list also helps in speeding up the process and keeping you organised. Keep in mind, though, that the tasks involved depend on your bathroom fixtures. So, use this sample as your guide, then come up with your personalised checklist.

1. Prep Your Cleaning Tools and Supplies

I typically keep my bathroom cleaning kit in a caddy under the sink. The tools and supplies are no different from the ones I use for my weekly cleaning, though. But for a bathroom deep clean, I would spend more time scrubbing and probably use more powerful cleansers. Here are what I have:

  • For removing dust or dirt: vacuum cleaner or broom, microfiber duster, cleaning cloth, spray bottles
  • For scrubbing: rubber gloves, stiff brush, old toothbrush, toilet brush, pumice stick, sponge
  • Preferred cleaning product: multi-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, disinfectant for high-touch surfaces, bleach, baking soda, distilled white vinegar, lemon, salt

2. Remove the Clutter

Once your gear is ready, it’s time to prep the room for deep cleaning. Remove all your bathroom items on the counter, drawers, medicine cabinet and floors. I do this while holding a microfiber cloth sprayed with disinfecting solution.

As I take out bathroom stuff like shampoos or hairbrushes, I wipe each clean before placing it in a plastic bin or laundry basket. You can also wash them with a bit of soap and running water if you see fit. Also, if you have lots of household supplies, you might want to group them accordingly, so they’re easier to return to their respective places later.

Oh, and don’t forget to throw away the bathroom trash, then wash and disinfect the bin.

Simply Mumma_Wash Towels during Bathroom Deep Cleaning Time

3. Throw All Linens in the Washer

Don’t you love the smell of freshly washed towels? They make bathrooms feel cleaner! So, gather and wash all your bathroom rugs and used hand or bath towels in the washing machine. Make sure to include your window coverings and plastic shower curtain, too.

I also include stored clean towels in the wash for a refresh. It will be a great time-saver if you do your laundry load while you’re busy with your bathroom deep cleaning. An excellent tip to keep your towels fluffy is to add baking soda with your laundry soap and avoid using fabric softener. You might find my laundry basics tips helpful, too, especially if you need to save time, effort and money!

4. Vacuum and Wipe Down Surfaces

Now that your bathroom’s free from clutter, open up your windows, then grab your vacuum cleaner and cleaning cloth to start dusting. Here are a few bathroom surfaces that need extra attention:

  • Exhaust fan or air vents: You might be dusting your bathroom fan every week. But when bathroom deep cleaning, you need to remove the vent cover and clean up its motor. Then wash the grill with soap and water.
  • Lighting fixture: Remove and wash the covers, then gently dust the bulbs. Do this with caution, though, as light bulbs can get hot and melt some duster material.
  • Windows or blinds: Vacuum and wipe the ledges, then spray on some glass-cleaning solution to your windows to wipe clean.
  • Ceiling, bathroom walls, counters and cabinets: A microfiber mop will make it easy and safe for you to dust the ceiling and walls. For all other flat surfaces, use a slightly damp microfiber cloth.
  • Floors: Vacuum the bathroom floors last as this is where hair and remaining dust should settle after all that wiping.

5. Wash the Bathroom Sink and Faucet

Toothpaste, mouthwash, hair and other icky things can build up under your sink drain cover. So, come bathroom deep cleaning time, remove the cover. Then spray the drain with some bathroom cleaner. Use an old toothbrush to scrub it clean and rinse before putting the drain cover back.

Next, clean the entire sink bowl and faucet handles. Spray both with disinfectant solution. Leave the sink for a few minutes, following product instructions, before wiping it with a clean cloth or sponge. Make sure to wash your soap dispenser, cups and toothbrush caddy, too.

Simply Mumma_Wipe Faucets during Bathroom Deep Cleaning Time

6. Clean the Shower and Bath Tub

Make sure to put your rubber gloves on and open the windows (or turn on the exhaust fan) before you start working with any bathroom surface cleaner. Here’s a list of what you need to do:

  • Showerhead: Regular scrubbing with an all-purpose cleanser should work for this part. But for severe limescale build-up, get a small plastic bag and pour some vinegar inside. Slip the showerhead into the bag and tie it with a rubber band. Leave it there to soak overnight, then use an old toothbrush to scrub the softened dirt.
  • Faucets, shower walls, floor and doors: Wet everything with water, apply your all-purpose bathroom cleaner, then start scrubbing with a brush or sponge. For shower areas made of stone, make sure to use the proper cleaning agent for porous materials.
  • Grout lines. If you can still spot stubborn moulds, you can spray hydrogen peroxide on extra dirty grout, then allow it to sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing. You can also use a store-bought mildew remover. For homemade solutions, make baking soda paste or combine ¾ cup of bleach with 3.8L of water in a spray bottle.
  • Tub and shower door tracks. Spray mildew-infested areas with chlorine-water solution. Leave it for a few minutes, then use an old toothbrush to scrub hard-to-reach corners.

7. Scrub the Toilet

Begin this bathroom deep cleaning step with the bowl first. Add your toilet bowl cleaner of choice and let it sit for a few minutes. While that’s happening, start cleaning its entire exterior. Use your all-purpose cleaner spray to wipe or scrub the lid, bowl rim and tank. Apply a disinfectant to high-touch areas like your flusher and seat. You can also make a DIY disinfectant spray by combining ½ cup of distilled vinegar with three cups of water.

Now, if you’re still smelling anything funky, it might be coming from under the toilet seat. In that case, unscrew the toilet lid. Then combine baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste. Apply it to the now exposed funky spots and leave it for a few minutes. Afterwards, wipe the paste away with toilet paper or disinfectant wipes and reattach the lid.

Finish your toilet cleaning by scrubbing the inside of the toilet bowl. If there’s a build-up or stubborn stains, a pumice stick is your best solution. This wonder tool is abrasive enough to tackle those stains without damaging the bowl.

Simply Mumma_Scrub the Toilet during Bathroom Deep Cleaning Time

8. Mop the Bathroom Floors

For your cleaning finale, use your favourite mop to wipe the floor. You can use your preferred commercial floor cleaner or make your own. If you’re using a regular mop, get a bucket, then fill it with about 7.5L of water. Stir in ¼ cup vinegar, ¼ cup baking soda, one tablespoon dish soap and a few drops of essential oil. For the steam mop, water and essential oil should do the trick.

Give your now sparkling bathroom some time to dry before returning your supplies inside. Do you need help in arranging them? Perhaps, these bathroom organising tips might help!

If you are interested in other specific home appliances tips, visit this useful guides page.