June 5, 2017
How to Speed Clean Your Bathrooms
Is there anyone that actually enjoys cleaning bathrooms? I clean them on Mondays to get them out of the way and clean for the new week. It’s my ‘eat the frog first’ task. If you follow along with my cleaning routine, on Mondays you clean bathrooms right along with me in your home. I also post daily reminders on Instagram and Facebook. This isn’t the first time I’ve shared my bathroom speed cleaning method but for those of you that may be new or haven’t tried it yet (what are you waiting for? ;)) here’s an updated post of my routine.
It doesn’t matter if you have 1 bathroom or 6, this method is the easiest and quickest way to get them all clean in a hurry. Even better? This isn’t fake cleaning or touching up – it’s complete and thorough cleaning.
What’s the trick? You’ll notice that I am not sweeping, vacuuming, or washing the floors. This is part of the time-saving magic of this approach. I vacuum all the floors on Wednesdays and wash all the floors on Thursday, so there’s no need to vacuum or wash them on Mondays. If this is your first time trying this routine and you want to have all your bathrooms cleaned at once, feel free to clean the floors but it will take longer than 10-15 minutes. Another key component to a quick and easy bathroom cleaning session is that I do a quick counter check every day as part of my cleaning routine and that keeps the cleaning time down on Mondays as well.
Go here to see more about the Clean Mama Cleaning Routine. You’ll find this method and so many more cleaning tips and tricks in my book, Simply Clean.
Gather your supplies and tools – this is what you’ll need :
- bucket or caddy to carry supplies from bathroom to bathroom
- microfiber cloths (alternatively you can use paper towels or cleaning wipes, I prefer microfiber) – 1 for all the mirrors, one for each toilet, one for each sink, and a couple extras for tubs and showers
- glass and mirror cleaner – you can find my recipe here or purchase the glass spray bottle and label pictured here
- all -purpose disinfecting/bathroom cleaner – you can find my recipe here or purchase the glass spray bottle and label pictured here
- scrubbing powder or soft cleaning paste – I use my nightly sink scrub – I use my spray cleaner or castile soap and scrub what needs to be scrubbed
- toilet cleaner and brush – here’s my method
- empty container for dirty cloths or paper towels
Clear off your counters and sinks and get started.
Start with the mirrors – spray and wipe clean. I use a glass and mirror microfiber for lint and streak-free mirrors. Keep this cloth handy and reuse in each bathroom.
Next, move on to your sink, toilet, and bathtub or shower (if you don’t use a tub or shower regularly, you don’t need to clean it weekly) and quickly spray with your disinfecting cleaner.
I use non-toxic disinfecting cleaners – they work just as well and aren’t harmful to you or your family. You can see my favorite cleaners here too.
Use your preferred toilet cleaner and brush (here’s my new and updated method) and do a quick clean of your toilet. Then REPEAT these steps in each bathroom. Once you’ve done that, go back to the first bathroom:
Wipe the sink, wipe the toilet, and wipe the tub or shower – take care to use a separate cloth or paper towel for the each toilet, sink, and bathtub/shower to avoid cross-contamination. Don’t forget to get the base of your toilets too – I wipe these last.
Place dirty cloths in a container and move on to wiping down the next bathroom and the next until you have wiped down each bathroom.
Put out fresh, clean towels and that’s it!
What do you think? Are you up for a little bathroom speed cleaning?
Looking for the BEST microfiber cloths? You’ll LOVE Clean Mama Home microfiber!
Ronee Says
Great plan of initial spray down of all bathrooms before the scrubbing. Personally, I find it much easier to just keep the cleaners IN the bathrooms. That allows for IMMEDIATE clean up of an unplanned mess without going to another part of the house to retrieve needed supplies.
Denise Says
I do the same.
Jean Boese Says
me to, supplies for each bathroom remain there (2)
Charlotte Says
Great tips for a busy mom like me. Thanks xox
Karlie Says
Thanks for the great suggestions! When you are done cleaning, do you just throw all of your dirty cleaning cloths in the wash together on a hot water cycle? I tend to use paper towels in the bathroom because I get grossed out about putting really dirty cloths in my washer machine. But I know it would be much less wasteful to just use microfiber cloths instead. Any pointers on washing them would be appreciated. Thanks!!
Bobbi Says
I was wondering the same thing?
Sherry Miller Says
I wash all of my microfiber cloths together with your favorite laundry cleaner, and NO FABRIC SOFTENER. I then hang them to dry. I never put mine in the dryer.
If you have to wash them by hand.
I bought MANY and when I use all but 2 or 3 of them I wash mine.
If you want to keep your dirty toilet cloths separate from your regular cloths use a large laundry bag that is meant for delicates.
Cynthia Says
I have a cleaning company and we always use toilet paper as the initial wipe down of dust and pet hair. Then use a microfibre cloth. Toss into the toilet. Sooo easy! 👍😊 Then wash cloths on hot wash and if they’re really dirty, do a second rinse.
Alli Says
Nice tip to use toilet paper for the initial wipe down 👍 going to try that
Lau Says
Do you get the microfiber cloth wet b4 wiping the sink, bath, and toilet? So you use 4 clothes per bathroom?
b r Says
Post authorI like my microfiber barely damp – you can either pre-wet or just use the cleaner to get to that consistency.
Dionne Says
Thank you for sharing this. I recently transitioned to using more natural cleaners so I appreciate the recipes. One way I keep my bathrooms cleaner and longer is by keeping the clutter out. I have a small bathroom so only the bare essentials are kept in there.
Terri upshaw Says
Thanks for sharing your DIY cleaners.
Mary Says
This is so fast and efficient! Thank you for sharing! I’m going to make the scrub! Love all of your recipes and articles!
de Says
DO NOT SPRAY MIRRORS WITH ANY LIQUID!!! If you will notice the black spot at the bottom of your mirror in the picture, that is from water (any liquid) dripping down and getting between the glass and finish of the mirror. You cannot fix that. ALWAYS!! spray cloth and wipe. Spraying mirrors is a great way to ruin them
A special note also is that if you use commercial cleaners (like the one that begins with W), when you begin using microfiber it may be streakier because commercial cleaners leave a film. After a few cleanings with microfiber you will be amazed!
Sherry Miller Says
I use Microfiber cloths. 1 damp and 1 dry. I clean the mirror with the damp cloth then dry it with the dry cloth. You will find that you never get a streak on any mirror or window.
Lee Says
Love this routine! Do you wash the dirty cloths separately or with other laundry?
b r Says
Post authorSeparately!
Sienna Says
I have discovered that a scrubbing with a no scratch scots bright and dish soap does wonders for the shower and tub instead of using chemicals. I also give it a rinse with vinegar water to help with the hard water spots. All I do is add a little bit of soap directly to the wet scots bright cleaning pad and scrub the wet tub and shower then rinse with first a spray down with vinegar water then just regular water. I also clean my toilet inside with dish soap.. it does a great job. I prefer to use rubbing alcohol and water to clean the seat and the rest of the outside so its sanitized. I clean my mirror and counters with vinegar water (none of them are granite or marble.)
Jennifer Hoffman Says
Becky- how often do you change up your towels?
b r Says
Post authorevery 1-2 days 🙂
Sarah DeJesus Says
In your book you have a recipe for a Tile Cleaner Spray. Is this meant for floors? I ask because all of your bathroom cleaning posts use the bathroom disinfecting spray in the shower/tub area.
HNC Says
Are your DIY cleaning recipes safe for marble in the shower? I’m having a hard time finding good cleaning products for the shower that are safe for marble.
b r Says
Post authorJust make sure you aren’t using anything with vinegar – my marble + granite recipe is perfect 🙂
Sue Says
Don’t use citrus products on your marble. It will etch the finish, especially if your marble has a polished finish. (I work for a company that fabricates and installs marble countertops.)
Steve Says
Figured it out – just wasn’t sure how to get all the showers clean in 15 minutes. First week was the hardest, now it’s easy since that initial clean has been done. Love your system. Thanks so much.
Missy Says
What’s wrong with vinegar?
b r Says
Post authorNothing, I use it in my recipes 🙂
Sylvia Says
I am new to this site and as a busy mom and career woman cleaning sometimes has been last priority. I can’t afford a house cleaning person so I need help, I need to do this and be an example to my children. I was once told by my daughter after telling her to clean her room… look at your room mom. Yes, she was spoken to for talking to me this way but what really hurt, is it was true. My husband passed away 5 years ago and I guess I just have to not cared about anything… I’ve been numb. So today I am awake, I am aware, I am glad I found this site to help me get back on track. Thank you‼️❤️🙌🏻
Tara J. Brady Says
Thanks again for all of your AWESOME tips! It would always take me hours to clean and I couldn’t figure out why…but it was because the flow was all wrong! Your way, the flow is right, so it makes it way quicker and I am not wasting any time standing around! So perfect and helpful. Thank you Becky! Happy Holidays!
Anja Says
For cleaning Mirrors and Windows, of you don’t Have alcohol, what to use instead?
b r Says
Post authorrubbing alcohol 🙂
Bells18 Says
I’d like to be able to scrub my bathroom floor only once a week but within a couple days it’s already covered in hair (I have a lot & shed a lot) and dust particles mixed with moisture from our showers quickly create new grime again. It’s maddening and I don’t know what to do except keep scrubbing that floor every few days or just deal with it until designated floor day. Thoughts?
b r Says
Post authorI have ‘check floors’ as a daily task for this reason – if your bathroom floor needs to be vacuumed or swept during the week, go ahead!
Tonya Says
I have the same problem with hair. When I wash, dry and curl it, I have a ton on the floor and in the tub behind me. I bought a Stanley hand-held vacuum at Walmart for $15. It sits behind the door in my bedroom. I grab that thing and vacuum around and in the tub, then all along the floor. Every day. It has made a huge difference for me!
Roberta Says
You use microfiber cloths a lot, and I like the way they clean also, but I am reading worrying things about the fibers getting into the water system and harming fish. In keeping with natural products that don’t poison my family, do you anything solid about the long term safety of microfibers? I’d rather keep using them than paper towels, and they work better than most old rags do. Thanks for your help!
b r Says
Post authorWhen companies refer to ‘microfibers’ they are also referring to any fabric that isn’t natural/cotton. So microfibers in clothing, activewear, underwear, coats, blankets, fleece, etc. are all full of microfibers. I am on the side of not adding toxins in our home and monitoring what we use throughout the home. For instance, we use glass instead of plastic, clean with natural cleaning products, filter our water, use organic cotton bedding, no fabric softener, less waste (no paper towels), etc. It’s a balance – I love microfiber cloths and believe that if you are wanting to get rid of microfibers you should be concerned with clothing as it’s larger and washed more. There are also filters that can be installed that will ‘catch’ the microfibers as well. I’m happy to go more in depth if you’re interested 🙂
Doré Says
How do you get hard water stains off glass shower doors?
b r Says
Post authorI use these solutions:
https://www.cleanmama.net/2018/03/naturally-get-rid-soap-scum.html
Julie Says
Is that your bathroom pictured in this post? If so, what color did you paint the walls? It’s beautiful!
b r Says
Post authorIt is – I have two bathrooms pictured – here are the paint colors in our home:
https://www.cleanmama.net/2016/02/paintcolors.html
Olivia Simmons Says
Do you use specific cloths forms your shop to clean surfaces (i.e. white microfiber for toilets and aqua microfiber for sinks/tubs)? Are the white and aqua cloths the same kind/texture of microfiber? Also, do you use the polishing cloth on the mirrors?
b r Says
Post authorI use the white cloths for large surfaces, the polishing on stainless and glass and mirrors and the aqua for just about everything else 🙂
Lori M Willard Says
This is probably very obvious to everyone but me 😉 but I want to double check- you are using the GREY microfiber POLISHING cloth WITH your homemade window/glass cleaner, right? I wasn’t sure if I needed to use these dry or if I could use with cleaner.
Thanks!
b r Says
Post authorYes!
Lindsey Says
Do you clean the cabinetry or shelves that are in a bathroom during the weekly cleaning? I have some recessed shelves we use for towels and other linens in two of our bathrooms, along with above the toilet wall cabinets in a couple of the bathrooms. Just wondering how you would tackle those and if you think it is necessary to clean them as part of the weekly routine or if that is a spring cleaning type of thing. (Homekeeping does not come naturally to me, sorry if it’s a dumb question 🙂 ) Thanks for all of your tips!!! I have just gone through a complete week of your routine and it makes me feel like it is going to be doable when I head back to school in a few weeks!!
b r Says
Post authorHi Lindsey! I clean that as it needs it – if I see it’s dirty or dusty on Monday I’ll usually just add it to my dusting on Tuesday. Welcome!
Sarah Says
Hi! I find that my countertop items need a wipe down as well. When do you do this step in your bathroom cleaning process?
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Alana Says
Hey there, I wondered how many microfiber cloths you’d use, on average, per bathroom? It sounds like sinks (1), mirror (1), toilet (1), shower (1), so maybe like 4 or 5 per bathroom? I have 2.5 bathrooms so I wanted a gauge of how many I’d have to buy. The images all show like two cloths, do you walk around to each room with all 10-15ish cloths then, or do they all get stored in each bathroom and pulled out for use (i’m assuming you only have one bathroom caddy and not one per bathroom.) Thank you! You keep me motivated and striving for a healthier and cleaner home <3
Alana Says
Hey just wanted to let you know that some of the image paths on this page are broken. Love the content, you are the queen of clean!
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