As one of the most frequently visited rooms in our homes, the bathroom is often one of the dirtiest and most cluttered spaces. Get started spring cleaning your bathroom with these cleaning and organizing tips!
- Linen Closet
- Cabinets & Drawers
- Counters, Sinks, & Vanity Areas
- Toilet
- Shower
- Bathtub
- Floors
- Exhaust Fan
- Walls & Ceiling
Linen Closet
Photo via @lbowhome
Whether your linen closet is a dedicated closet in your hallway or a cabinet built into your bathroom, this storage space ends up getting filled with lots of bathroom essentials. With these spring cleaning tips, it’ll be clean and organized in no time!
Declutter the Closet
The first step is to completely remove everything in the linen closet. This will help you take stock of what you have and allow you to do a deep clean of the closet without having to work around items. As you start to take the contents out, create piles for what you’ll throw away, keep, or donate. For example, linens that are stained, tattered, or worn can go, but extra sets of sheets can be donated if they’re in good shape!
Wash the Linens
Go through your linens and pick out which ones haven’t been washed in the past few weeks. Wash bedsheets on the hot water setting to kill dust mites and germs, and wash bath towels on warm to help kill bacteria. If your towels have developed a musty odor, use half your typical amount of detergent and add up to a full cup of vinegar to the load. This is an easy way to keep your towels fluffy and smelling good!
Wipe Down Shelves
When your closet is cleared out, dust the shelves with a microfiber cloth. Then, wipe down the shelves with a washcloth and hot water to remove any additional dust, hair, or grime that may have leaked from beauty and hygienic products. You can also consider putting down some shelf liners to help protect them.
Organize Closet Items
Instead of putting items back where they were, it’s a good idea to organize them with bins, containers, and baskets. Clear plastic bins with labels are great for storing toiletries, while larger baskets are ideal for holding bulky towels. With everything in its designated space, your linen closet will be easier to keep organized!
Cabinets & Drawers
Photo via @ashleejayinteriors
Hair products, makeup, medicines, and other toiletries often get thrown into bathroom cabinets and drawers with no sense of order. Don’t forget to clean and organize these storage areas in your bathroom!
Pull Everything Out
Start by removing everything from bathroom drawers and cabinets. That way, you can see everything you have and what you might need to dispose of. As you remove things from your cabinets and drawers, wipe down the outside of any bottles that may have leaked so they’re clean when you put them back!
Get Rid of Unused Products
Go through all of the products from the cabinets and drawers in your bathroom. If you have any empty products or items you don’t want or need, throw them away. You might also consider combining bottles of the same product if you have two open at the same time. This can help conserve space, and it will prevent clutter from accumulating in your bathroom cabinets.
Clean the Inside & Outside
Take a washcloth and some warm water to clean the inside of your bathroom drawers and cabinets. Dust, hair, and residue from leaking bottles can leave them looking dirty and messy, so this is a quick and easy way to freshen up the space. If you’re having trouble getting into the corners, take a handheld vacuum to try and get any debris. After cleaning the inside of your bathroom storage spaces, take some time to wipe down the outside surfaces as well. This will help keep dust and dirt away and leave your bathroom squeaky clean!
Use Storage Bins
Before putting items back, find storage containers like plastic trays, wooden baskets, or metal bins to give everything a designated spot. You can create labels for your bathroom storage solutions, too! This will help you store your items in an organized way and make it easier to see what you have.
Counters, Sinks, & Vanity Areas
Photo via @thecozyfarmhouse
Clutter and residue can make your counter and sink space look messy. While spring cleaning your bathroom, declutter the counter and use some household cleaning items to keep vanity areas looking spotless.
Remove All Items
Give your bathroom countertop a clean slate by removing all items like toothbrush holders, cotton swabs, plants, or anything else that you have. This allows you to get into every corner and crevice while cleaning!
Clean the Mirror
Before you wipe down your counter, clean the mirror and around the ridge where the mirror meets your counter. Also, get around the perimeter of the mirror to remove any hard-to-reach dust. You may need to use small cotton swabs to fully clean your mirror if its border has any designs carved into it. Since some dirt and dust will fall onto the counter, it’s best to do this first so you don’t have to repeat any steps.
Wipe Counters
Use an all-purpose cleaner or make a cleaning solution of your own using white vinegar and water to spray down your bathroom counter. Then, scrub it down with a washcloth or sponge. Once it’s dry, wipe down any items like toothbrush holders, lotions, soap dispensers, and other everyday products before putting them back on the counter. Keep the space organized by only including the essentials.
Check for Leaks
Leaky sink pipes can cause your water bill to skyrocket, so it’s not a bad idea to check for any leaks while spring cleaning your bathroom. Open the cabinet under the sink and run cold and hot water separately to make sure the pipes don’t drip or spray. If they do, you may be able to tighten them yourself, but if there’s more severe leakage, you’ll want to call a plumber to help you make necessary repairs.
Tackle the Sink
One of the best methods for cleaning a bathroom sink is by getting the surface of your sink wet with some warm water then sprinkling on some baking soda. Use an old toothbrush to scrub around the caulking and harder-to-reach places like where the sink meets the faucet and handles. Rinse with warm water and use a cloth to wipe away any remaining baking soda. Remember to wipe down the faucet as well to remove any hard water stains!
Toilet
Photo via @dust.bunniescleaning
When it’s time to deep clean the toilet, you may need to take some extra steps beyond just brushing the inside of the bowl. Here’s what to do to completely freshen up your toilet!
Clean the Outside
Begin by wiping down the outside of the toilet with a dry paper towel or washcloth. If more dust and dirt remain, you can spray around the outside of the toilet with a disinfecting spray or natural cleaning solution before giving the toilet a second wipe-down. Be sure to get into the hard-to-reach places and small crevices near the floor, as they can build up bacteria as well!
Check for Leaks
Small amounts of water can begin to leak from the base of your toilet, so be sure to check for any leaks or signs that the sealing ring is worn. An easy way to do this is to wipe a rag along the base and see if it soaks up any water. If there’s serious leakage, you’ll want to look into having some repairs done.
Open Up the Tank
One toilet maintenance tip is to open up the tank to make sure everything is in good shape. If the water level seems low, the flotation device has sunk, or anything else seems wrong, call a plumber so they can help you figure out what’s wrong and repair it if needed.
Disinfect the Bowl
Take your toilet cleaner of choice and apply it down the sides of the bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes and then go in with a toilet brush and scrub the entire thing. Get up toward the underside of the rim and around the siphon jets to make sure the entire bowl is clean and no grime remains. Rinse the bowl by giving it a final flush. Consider installing an automatic toilet bowl cleaner that refreshes your toilet with every use!
Shower
Photo via @raising3foodies
The shower can be a place where mildew and scum builds up quickly. As you work on deep cleaning your bathroom, follow these spring cleaning tips for your shower!
Wash Your Shower Curtain
Don’t neglect your shower curtain! Take it down and check to make sure it’s machine washable. If so, put it in the washing machine on a warm cycle to freshen it up! You might also consider replacing your shower liner. Take some time to clean the curtain rod rings as well. Place them in a sink filled with warm water and white vinegar. Soak them for a few minutes, then rinse them with regular water. Dry each ring before putting it back.
Scrub Shower Tile
Take a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and warm water and spray it on shower tiles. Let it sit for a few minutes to help dissolve any scum, and then scrub with a brush or washcloth to wipe it away.
Clean Tile Grout
In between your shower tile can be a tricky spot to get clean. Use hydrogen peroxide and a washing soda to cut through any dirt and grime. While wearing gloves, use a toothbrush to scrub the mixture along your tile grout. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing with a sponge. Repeat as needed for those stubborn spots!
Seal Shower Grout
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to seal your shower grout. Head to your nearest home improvement store and purchase a grout sealer that best fits the type of tile you have in your shower. Apply the sealer slowly and keep a rag nearby to wipe off any excess. Let it dry for about an hour before adding a second coat if needed.
Soak the Shower Head
To remove hard water deposits and limescale from your shower head, pour some white vinegar in a plastic bag and completely submerge your shower head. Use zip ties to secure the bag and let it sit overnight. The next day, remove the bag and run hot water to rinse and remove any remaining deposits.
Take Care of the Drain
If you have a free-standing shower, you’ll want to clean the drain. Take half a cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar and pour them down the drain. Let it foam for a few minutes before running hot water down the drain. If it’s still draining slowly, you may want to snake the drain to get out any remaining hair and dirt.
Wipe Glass Doors
Mix a couple drops of dish detergent with white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spritz the mixture on your shower doors and let it soak for about 30 minutes. Take a damp sponge to rinse off the cleaner and dry with a cloth.
Bathtub
Photo via @mindygayerdesign & @vlentine
Do you have a bathtub and shower combo or a standalone tub? Whichever you have in your home, it’ll benefit from a deep spring clean, too. Take a look at how to get your bathtub sparkling again!
Scrub the Tub
Give your bathtub a good cleaning by pouring some hot water over the tub and sprinkling on some baking soda. Then, grab a bucket of hot water and dish soap and use a sponge to scrub down the surface until everything is clean. Use hot water to rinse away any remaining soap.
Polish the Faucet
Does your tub’s faucet look a little dull from water spots and other grime? Give it a polish! Start by using dish soap and a wet rag to wipe down the faucet. To give it extra shine, dampen some paper towels with white vinegar and wrap them around the faucet. Let them sit for ten minutes or so, then rinse and dry.
Clean Out the Drain
If you notice your bathtub has been slow-draining, most of the time it’s an easy fix! To unclog the drain, take about half a cup of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar and pour it down the drain opening. The mixture will foam for about five minutes. Rinse with hot water, and it should be back to normal. If it’s still slow to drain, take a drain snake to remove any clumps of hair and grime. Finally, wipe down the drain to give it a clean finish!
Floors
Photo via @homebythestation
As you finish up your bathroom spring cleaning, don’t forget about the floor! This is one of the main surfaces of your bathroom, so it can gather up lint, dust, and other grime pretty easily.
Clean Floor Coverings
If you have cloth bathmats in your bathroom, start by shaking off any lint and hair, then remove any excess dirt with a vacuum. Fold your rugs and throw them in your washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle. Once they go through the wash, let them hang dry.
Sweep Away Dust
Grab a broom and dustpan and sweep up all the lint, hair, and dust that’s gathered on your bathroom floor. Make sure you get the corners of your bathroom, too, as this is where most dust and hair will gather.
Mop the Floors
Once you’ve swept, give your bathroom floor a nice clean shine by mopping. Mix warm water, 1/4 cup of white vinegar, and some dish soap. Mop your floor’s surface with this cleaning solution and then dry with a towel.
Go in on the Grout
Have stubborn grout stains? Make a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and washing soda, then use an old toothbrush to scrub away at grout. Rinse and apply a grout sealer after 24 hours to help prolong the look of the grout and repel moisture!
Exhaust Fan
Photo via @elizabethdanoninteriortherapy
The exhaust fan in your bathroom is one place that’s prone to getting dusty and moldy. Spring cleaning is a great time to deep clean your bathroom fan! Safety is important here, so wear protective eyewear and turn off the circuit breaker before following these steps!
Remove the Fan Cover
Before you wash the fan cover, you’ll want to remove the fan cover. To do this, pull down on the cover and squeeze the wires on either side to remove them from the slot. This will allow you to see inside and really give your fan a good, deep clean.
Wash the Cover
To clean your bathroom fan cover, fill your sink with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Let the cover soak for a few minutes, then scrub with a sponge to remove all the dirt and dust. Set the cover on a towel and air dry it completely before replacing it.
Clean the Blades
Before you clean the fan and its blades, check that you’ve turned off the power to your bathroom. Then, use a vacuum extension or microfiber cloth to clean all the built-up dust. Finally, use a damp cloth to wipe off any remaining dirt and grime. Ensure everything is dry before reassembling and turning the power back on.
Walls & Ceilings
Photo via @acherno.design
Since the bathroom is full of moisture, your walls and ceilings can get grimy, too. Don’t forget about them as you work on your bathroom spring cleaning!
Tackle the Ceiling
To reach the surface and corners of your ceiling, use an extended duster with a microfiber cloth to clean away any cobwebs and trap small dust particles. This is the easiest way to freshen up your ceiling without having to pull out a ladder.
Dust Off Lights
Lights and fixtures in your bathroom can also get fairly dusty throughout the year. If you’re able to remove any light shades or coverings, take them off and soak them in the sink with some soap and water. If not, you can take a damp rag and soap to wipe away dust and dirt. Be sure to tackle all lighting in your bathroom, including ceiling and mirror lights.
Wipe Down Walls
For painted bathroom walls, take a microfiber duster to remove any dust and dirt. Then, scrub down any grimy spots with warm water and some mild dish soap and dry with a towel. If the walls in your bathroom are tile, spray a mixture of white vinegar and warm water onto the wall and wipe it clean. You can also apply a coat of car wax to help water roll off tile walls instead of sticking to them.
Clean the Trim
Remember to clean the baseboard trim and any molding as well! Start by vacuuming up any dust and other large particles, then take a warm, damp sponge to the trim. Don’t forget to get into those nooks and crannies—especially the corners!
Looking for more bathroom cleaning and organization projects? Check out these DIY bathroom organization ideas, eco-friendly bathroom upgrades, and hidden storage hacks for bathrooms!
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