What is the Best Way to Clean a Bathroom?

The best way to clean a bathroom depends on whom you ask, but there are some great general guidelines to follow. One highly recommended rule of cleaning is to clean from the top down, and this method usually works very well in bathrooms. Planning and preparing your cleaning products and supplies ahead of time is also a big help.

Decide if you prefer ammonia or bleach-based cleaning products as the two products should never be mixed or a poisonous gas may be formed. Some people like to use bleach to clean a bathroom, but also use an ammonia based glass cleaner for the mirror. This is fine as long as bleach and ammonia aren’t mixed together and a paper towel or cloth used for one isn't used for the other.

Rather than using commercial cleaning products to clean a bathroom, household items such as baking soda and vinegar make environmentally-friendly options. Baking soda can be made into a paste by adding a little water to it. The paste can be used as a mild abrasive for cleaning sinks and taps as well as toilets and bathtubs. An old toothbrush usually works really well to scrub the tiny areas in between taps. Vinegar diluted with water or used full strength can make a good cleaner for mirrors and floors as well as glass shower doors.

Don't forget the ceiling fan when you clean a bathroom, as it can trap dust and grime. Tops of doors are another spot that is easy to overlook. Light fixtures and vanity lighting should be dusted and wiped clean also. When cleaning the bathroom from the ceiling down, it's still a good idea to do the sink area before the mirror in case you splash cleaner or water on the mirror.

If you need to clean a bathroom that has more than just a light to medium amount of dirt, you may need to use some heavy-duty cleaning products. Be sure to follow the product directions as it may require ventilation such as having the bathroom window open while you use the cleaner. Some heavy-duty bathroom cleaners work best if you leave them on for several minutes before rinsing and drying.

Rubber gloves and a brush can help make cleaning the toilet easier as well as a little more pleasant as you don't have to touch the inside with bare hands. The outside bottom part of the toilet could be cleaned while you're cleaning the floor. Don’t forget to clean the corners of the floor. After you clean a bathroom, one of the best ways to make it look extra clean is to give shower and sink taps a final polish with chrome polish on a soft cloth.