How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom Like a Pro (Step-by-Step Guide)

Deep clean your bathroom like a pro with this step-by-step guide.

Let’s face it—bathrooms are one of those places that need regular TLC, but it’s easy to put off deep cleaning when we’re juggling a million other things. The good news is, with a simple step-by-step plan, you can get your bathroom looking fresh and sparkling without spending all day scrubbing.

Here’s a breakdown of how to deep clean your bathroom from top to bottom, without making it feel too painful. 

Plus, I’ve included a few natural cleaner options if you’re looking to avoid the harsh stuff. (While bleach and heavy chemicals work wonders, I hate not being able to breathe while scrubbing!) 

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How long should the bathroom deep clean take me? 

Deep cleaning your bathroom should take you between 45 minutes to an hour and a half, give or take how badly it needs cleaning.  

The first time I tackle a bathroom deep clean, if it’s been a while, the task could take much longer. Built-up soap scum and mildew can take a lot of elbow grease! 

If deep cleaning your bathroom is taking you longer than you expected, don’t get discouraged.  The first time is the hardest effort.  Then, with regular maintenance, cleaning your bathroom will be a breeze. 

How often should you deep clean your bathroom? 

For the sake of sanity, aim for a deep clean at least once a month.  The more often you do it, the faster the whole process goes.  

Every week, do a quick wipe down of surfaces, the shower, and the toilet. If you have time, mop each week too.

Every bathroom deep clean, do the more time-intensive tasks, possibly even rotating tasks like cleaning the vent fans, the trash can, window sills, etc.  You don’t have to do them all every month! However, the more often you wipe things down, the easier they will be to clean. 

Breaking it down into these steps makes the process easier, and you’ll feel so much better when it’s done. Plus, your bathroom will feel like a mini spa instead of a dreaded chore zone.

Your Bathroom Deep Cleaning Checklist

• 1. Clear the room
• 2. Dust and sweep
• 3. Clean the shower and tub
• 4. Scrub the toilet
• 5. Clean the sink and faucet
• 6. Wipe all surfaces
• 7. Wipe down the mirror
• 8. Mop the floor
• 9. Final touches

How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Clear the room: Declutter your bathroom BEFORE your bathroom deep clean (5-20 Minutes)

First things first—get everything out of the bathroom that doesn’t belong.  Sometimes our bathroom counters become dumping grounds for things like receipts, spare change, etc. 

Before you deep clean your bathroom, it would make your job much easier to declutter the space first.  

Clear the empty bottles, slivers of soap you never intend on using, and the half-empty bathwash you never really liked (so it has been sitting there for the past 3 months). 

If you like to store things on the bathroom counter, consider clearing out the space under your bathroom sink and making room under there for storage instead.  Having clean bathroom flat surfaces makes cleaning your bathroom regularly so much more manageable. 

Ultimately, you want to be able to spray everything down, so get the stuff out of the shower and off any surfaces you plan to spray.  

**Pro tip: Take a quick moment to spray down your shower/tub and toilet.  Let the spray start working while you do the next step!**

2. Dust and sweep (10 Minutes)

Grab a microfiber cloth and start dusting everything from the light fixtures to the vents and shelves. Don’t skip this part! 

About twice a year, I like to remove the vent fan covers, rinse the dust off, and clear the dust from the vent fan.  This will make the fan much more efficient in keeping your bathroom moisture-free. This is a great activity to do during your bathroom deep clean. 

Dust loves to gather on top of things you don’t see every day, like bathroom window sills and around the light fixtures. After dusting, give the floor a quick sweep or vacuum. You don’t want to wet-clean a dusty floor because that just turns it into a muddy mess.

3. Clean the shower and tub (15-20 Minutes)

Soap scum, mildew, and hard water stains can layer on quickly in a damp bathroom. This is where the real elbow grease comes in and will likely take you the most time when doing a bathroom deep clean. 

Scrub the tiles, grout, and any glass doors. For extra stubborn spots, make a paste with baking soda and water. Let it sit for a bit before scrubbing it away.

Don’t forget to clean your shower curtain liner too.  I prefer the fabric shower liners, as I can easily toss them in the washing machine for easy cleaning. If you have a vinyl liner, spray it with the same cleaner, and scrub it as well. 

4. Scrub the toilet (5-10 Minutes)

No one loves cleaning the toilet, but it’s gotta be done! Pour some cleaner (or baking soda and vinegar) in the bowl and let it sit while you wipe down the outside. Once the outside sparkles, use a toilet brush to scrub the inside of the bowl.

Pro Tip: Pay attention to the base of the toilet and the areas behind it—these tend to collect grime and dust more than you think. I’ll sometimes use a piece of toilet paper to wipe up the dust around the base of the toilet and behind it, and then I’ll wipe it down with a wet cloth. 

5. Clean the sink and faucet (2-5 Minutes)

Your sink is a magnet for toothpaste splatters and soap residue. Scrub the basin with a sponge and a gentle cleaner, then wipe down the faucet. For hard water spots, vinegar works like magic.

Pro Tip: Use an old toothbrush to scrub around the faucet, handles, and drain to get into those tricky spots.

6. Wipe all surfaces (10-15 Minutes)

Grab your all-purpose cleaner and wipe down the countertops, shelves, and cabinet fronts. 

Pay special attention to any areas that get extra splashes or moisture, like around the sink and soap dish. For walls, focus on spots around the sink and toilet where grime tends to build up.

Clean around the light fixtures as well. 

7. Wipe down and polish the mirror (2-5 Minutes)

Get rid of smudges and toothpaste spots on your mirror with some glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. If you prefer natural cleaners, a simple microfiber cloth and water followed up with a polishing cloth does the trick without streaks.

Pro Tip: Clean the edges of the mirror, where dust likes to hang out. You’ll be surprised how much brighter the bathroom looks!

8. Clean the floor (10-15 Minutes)

Start by giving the floor another quick sweep (if needed), and then grab your mop or steam cleaner to get it shining. Be sure to mop under the toilet and around the edges where dirt hides.

9. Final touches (5-10 Minutes)

You’re almost done! Put everything back where it belongs, replace the bath mats and towels, and restock your toiletries and toilet paper. 

Pro Tip: If you want to go the extra mile, clean your trash can on the inside and outside and wash your bath mats. 

Maintaining your bathroom so it stays clean 

Once a week, wipe down all the surfaces in your bathroom.  If you are feeling especially inspired, you can do this task daily.  

I like to keep wipes on hand so a frequent wipe-down is possible and takes less than 2 minutes.  By getting the more natural cleaning wipes, my kids can help with this task too. 

You can also use a daily shower spray to keep the soap scum and mildew manageable, making your weekly bathroom cleanings and monthly bathroom deep cleans all the more manageable. 

Check out all my favorite bathroom deep cleaning essentials.