The bathroom is the room most people clean most often — and somehow still the one with the most spots that get missed. If you've ever cleaned your bathroom and still noticed grout that looks dingy, a toilet base that doesn't look right, or a faucet with mineral buildup, this guide is for you.
Here's how professional cleaners approach a bathroom — the right order, the products that actually work, and the spots that most DIY bathroom cleaning misses. We clean bathrooms in all of our house cleaning services offered.
The golden rule: clean top to bottom
Always clean a bathroom from ceiling to floor. Dust and cleaning products fall down. If you mop the floor first and then scrub the shower, you'll be re-cleaning the floor. Start at the top and work your way down — every time.
Step 1: Ventilate and spray first
Before you touch anything, open the window or turn on the exhaust fan — both for ventilation and to help drying. Then immediately spray your cleaning products on the surfaces that need dwell time: the toilet bowl interior, the shower and tub, and any tile grout. Letting cleaner sit while you work on other things is one of the most effective time-saving habits in professional cleaning.
Step 2: Dust and wipe the top surfaces
- Wipe down light fixtures — a dry microfiber cloth picks up dust without scratching
- Clean the exhaust fan cover — remove if possible and wash in the sink, or vacuum the grilles
- Dust the tops of cabinets and the mirror frame
- Wipe down the mirror — glass cleaner and a clean microfiber cloth, working in an S-pattern to avoid streaks
Step 3: Clean the shower and tub
By now your shower spray has had time to work. Here's how to approach different surfaces:
Tile and grout: Spray with an all-purpose or bathroom cleaner and scrub with a brush — a stiff-bristled grout brush or an old toothbrush for tight corners. Grout is porous and holds soap scum and mould in its texture. It needs actual scrubbing, not just wiping.
Glass shower doors: White vinegar is excellent for removing soap scum and hard water spots from glass. Spray, leave for 2–3 minutes, then wipe with a microfiber cloth. A squeegee after every shower prevents buildup from accumulating.
Showerhead: Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, tie it around the showerhead so the head is submerged, and leave for an hour. Removes mineral deposits that restrict flow and look unsightly.
Fiberglass or acrylic tubs: Avoid abrasive scrubbers — they scratch the surface permanently. Use a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge with a bathroom cleaner or baking soda paste.
- Scrub tile and grout with a brush
- Clean glass doors or shower curtain
- Descale the showerhead
- Rinse all surfaces thoroughly
Tile and grout cleaning are typically done during our deep cleaning service, however, you can add it to your regular house cleaning for Aurora homeowners.
Step 4: Clean the toilet
The toilet has more distinct surfaces than people realize — and most of them don't get cleaned properly.
- Flush to wet the bowl, then apply toilet cleaner under the rim and leave it to dwell
- Wipe down the exterior in order: tank lid, tank sides, handle, top of seat, under the seat, top of bowl
- Use a disinfectant spray on the exterior — pay special attention to the hinge area of the seat and the base where it meets the floor (this is where most bacteria accumulates)
- Scrub the bowl interior with a toilet brush — focusing under the rim where staining collects
- Wipe behind the toilet — most people never clean this area
Step 5: Clean the sink and vanity
- Spray and wipe all vanity surfaces and the countertop
- Clean the sink bowl — scrub if there's any staining or buildup
- Descale the faucet — wrap in a white vinegar-soaked cloth for 20 minutes if mineral deposits are significant
- Wipe the faucet and handles dry to prevent water spots
- Clean inside the medicine cabinet if accessible — wipe shelves
- Wipe the vanity cabinet doors and handles
Step 6: The spots most people miss
These are the areas that separate a truly clean bathroom from one that just looks clean:
- Behind the toilet — dust, hair, and grime collect against the wall and floor behind the base
- The toilet base where it meets the floor — clean with a cloth or old toothbrush
- The toilet seat hinges — lift the seat cover and clean the hinges and the surface underneath them
- The underside of the sink rim — mould and buildup collect here and are almost never cleaned
- The exhaust fan — a clogged fan reduces ventilation and contributes to mould
- Towel bar and toilet paper holder — these get touched constantly but rarely wiped down
- The door handle — one of the most-touched surfaces in the home
Step 7: Floors last
- Sweep or vacuum the floor — get into corners and behind the toilet
- Mop with a suitable floor cleaner for your floor type
- Clean baseboards — wipe with a damp cloth
- Replace clean towels and bath mat
How often should bathrooms be professionally cleaned?
In an Aurora home with regular use, bathrooms should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a week if you're doing it yourself, or maintained with a bi-weekly professional clean. The combination of moisture, heat, and frequent use means bathrooms accumulate bacteria, mineral deposits, and mold faster than any other room in the house.
Professional cleaning covers everything on this list consistently and to a higher standard than most homeowners achieve under time pressure. For bathrooms especially, the thoroughness of a professional clean makes a noticeable difference.
Ready to book? Get an instant home cleaning quote or book online at mayfairhomecleaning.com or call us at (289) 201-1873.
Published by Mayfair Home Cleaning — Aurora's locally owned residential cleaning service serving Aurora, Newmarket, and Bradford.