Want a freakishly clean bathroom? Use these nine tips from a former trustee
By John Carlsen | Published: 2025-11-02 11:01:00 | Source: CNET
Before I became a tech reporter, I was a full-time professional bouncer for five and a half years. I learned a few tricks that I still use today Cleaning my bathroom at home. Let’s explore the supplies and cleaning methods I use, so you can clean like a pro without it becoming a full-time job.
First, get the right supplies for the job
You can still buy your bathroom cleaning supplies at the supermarket or hardware store.
There is a lot of flexibility to the chemicals you choose. However, be aware of this Mixing cleaning products can be dangerous. Personally, the only chemical formulas I buy at retail are multi-purpose foaming bathroom sprays and gels for toilet bowls because they increase the residence time, or how long the chemical cleans and disinfects before wiping it off — similar to soaking a dish in the kitchen sink.
For most other cleaning tasks, you can use DIY cleaning dilutions of single-ingredient cleaners, such as dish soap, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide. (For your information, Vinegar and stone are not a good combination.) Distilled water Ideal for Cleaning dilutions.
A helpful tip about dilutions is that getting the ratio right is more important than you think. A common mistake is to add too much soap to wiping water for extra cleaning power. In fact, this excess soap often remains on the floor, which is why you may experience sticky floors in clean bathrooms.
Many spray bottles and pump sprayers have built-in dilution scales, remember to label your bottles so you know the right mixture.
Although professional cleaners often use advanced tools like steam cleaners, pressure washers, and expensive equipment, the basic equipment is the same stuff you’d use at home, with a few modifications for efficiency and control:
- gloves: Protection against bacteria Chemicals are a must. I use disposable nitrile gloves because there is no guarantee that reusable gloves will stay clean after several sessions.
- Disposable shop towels: You can find them in the auto department and in hardware stores. Its durability means you can clean your bathroom using fewer towels. Unlike microfiber cloths, you don’t need to wash and sanitize them quickly.
- Scratch resistant cleaning pads It is also the best way to clean metal faucets. Unlike green cleaning pads, they will not damage your chrome finishes. However, it is always a good idea to test on a hidden area to see if it will damage the surface.
- Abrasive scouring pads: Green scrubbing pads are excellent for removing hard water stains on porcelain sinks and toilets.
- Toilet brush: Don’t forget to replace it every now and then for better cleaning and less germs.
- broom and wiper: Cleaning the floor isn’t glamorous, but it helps prevent germs from spreading throughout the house on your feet or shoes.
9 tips to clean your bathroom like a pro
Surprisingly, cleaning public bathrooms is much easier than cleaning a bathroom at home.
During my time as a professional cleaner, most bathrooms lacked counters and baths, but had automatic faucets, sinks, and wall-mounted toilets. This makes cleaning a breeze—I can clean an entire toilet with six toilets, four sinks, and a giant mirror in about 30 minutes, just as I can clean my entire bathroom at home.
However, a single public restroom requires several hours of cleaning each week to remain in working condition. While bathroom design plays a role, multiple daily cleaning sessions make a big difference: spot cleaning in the morning and afternoon followed by a thorough cleaning every night.
Once a week is generally good enough at home. However, frequent cleaning reduces reliance on very strong (and potentially toxic) cleaning products. Here’s the method I still use:
1. Fold rags and towels to the size of your hand
There are two main reasons to fold a cleaning cloth: control and efficiency.
Folded rags are easier to manage because they are closer to the size of the palm of your hand – they will not clutter or spray liquids into the air. You can increase the time before you need a new cloth by turning the cloth over and refolding it to use the remaining parts that are still clean.
For example, I folded the towel twice until it was half its original size. Turn it over as soon as the first surface becomes too dirty to clean anymore. And we don’t stop there because you can flip the fold over to access two additional cleaning surfaces. Most dirt only sticks to the surface and will not seep through the cloth, so you can use the entire surface of the towel before needing a new towel.
You can unfold the cloth to use the other side, for a total of eight cleaning surfaces. Although dirt will likely seep through the cloth at this point, it’s great for dry dusting and other light tasks.
2. Get your equipment and organize it
You should always complete your clothing with a pair of gloves.
My guardian uniform was handling the dirty work when I was on the clock, but you’ll blend in well with an old t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of closed-toe shoes. This is enough to protect you from splashes, but a long-sleeved shirt can provide more insurance. Wearing safety glasses is a good idea.
After you’re dressed to impress — err, declutter — declutter the bathroom by clearing out the counter. Likewise, toss the towels, Towels And the shower curtain is in the washing machine. Dust surfaces and remove debris from the countertop into the trash. Always flush the toilet to bring fresh water into the bowl. Finally, mop the floor so you don’t have to deal with wet pieces of trash later.
3. Prepare your surfaces and ventilate the room
Cleaning products often need time to work effectively.
Open a window or turn on the exhaust fan. If you have a small portable air purifier, it’s not a good idea to bring it with you. Next, spray a generous amount of cleaning solution onto the bottom of the mirror, table, and sink, allowing it time to soak and disinfect. It may take a few tries to figure out the right amount for your bathroom, but you want an even distribution so it doesn’t dry too quickly — or soak the cloth right away.
Allow the cleaning solution to remain. Do the same for the toilet and shower. Remember not to mix chemicals – especially with bleach-based cleaners – to avoid creating harmful fumes. At this point, avoid scrubbing, and instead turn the toilet seat over with your shoes to prevent touching it with your gloves.
For regular cleaning, spray the toilet seat and bowl with cleaning spray and leave it while you clean the rest of the bathroom. For deep cleaning, use a toilet brush or… plunger To remove as much water as possible from the bowl before pouring the bowl cleaner.
Striped mirrors may need more polishing.
5. Mirror Magic: Spray the cloth, not the surface, when making touch-ups
Once the toilet is flushed, start wiping the mirror from top to bottom. If you need more glass cleaner, spray it directly onto the cloth, not the mirror. It avoids overspray and splashes from the spray bottle. This is the secret weapon that professional secretaries use to get perfect results.
Let’s do a quick recap. Spray the surface first to disinfect and remove dirt more effectively. Follow up by spraying the cloth when you touch problem areas. This two-pronged approach results in the best appearance and cleanliness.
6. Counter and sink: Use a scratch-resistant blue scouring pad
Cutting your scrub pads into smaller sizes makes them easier to use, and they last longer than using one large pad.
Use the same cloth from the mirror if it still has clean parts. Start with the counter and faucet to prevent cross-contamination—sink sinks are deceptively dirty.
If you encounter very heavy dirt on your cloth, you will need a rag Anti-scratch cleaning pad This is not very abrasive (blue) – never use a green pad on polished metal or most countertops. After scrubbing, wipe excess liquid off each surface and polish the faucet with a cloth.
7. Bathtub and shower: Don’t forget the shower head
Don’t forget to scrub the shower head, especially if you have hard water.
Bathtubs and showers are not commonly found in public restrooms, so my professional experience in this area is limited. But you can use the same top-down process as a mirror. Use a brush or Washing machine Apply the cleaning product to the walls of the shower area, occasionally adding water or product to the wall as needed to prevent it from becoming too dry.
Cleaning your bathroom weekly means reducing dirt, soap scum, and mineral buildup, and you should be able to do this step in 10 minutes or less. Deep cleaning takes much longer, and requires more effort – I wouldn’t recommend putting this off unless you’re willing to spend hours on it, like I did. It’s easiest to remove annoying hard water on your shower head with a brush, vinegar, and a toothpick. Best of all, your shower head runs smoothly.
After washing, rinse the walls, sink and faucet. Air drying is fine, but glossy tiles and faucets benefit from a squeegee or clean cloth if you want them to look their best to visitors.
8. Clean the toilet using a brush and cloth
Cleaning the toilet last will prevent cross-contamination with other surfaces.
Again, follow a specific order when cleaning the toilet – start with the surfaces that people are most likely to touch, such as the handle, tank, lid and seat. You can use an under-seat toilet brush, but a cloth is better for cleaning the top of the toilet seat.
After cleaning the seat, lift it before scrubbing the rim and bowl with the toilet brush. Although toilet cleaning chemicals will loosen the dirt, you may need… Green cleaning padOr a Pumice stick To treat stains and hard water.
The previous pumice stick (bottom) is at its final stop.
Don’t be afraid to get into every nook and cranny. Remember to push the excess water out using the plunger to better reach below the waterline. Pass the cloth over the edge to dry.
It’s time to take off your gloves – throw them away or follow the manufacturer’s steps to wash them next time. Never reuse unclean gloves and always wash your hands after removing them.
9. Mop the floor starting behind the toilet
Don’t paint yourself into a corner.
Using the mop of your choice, clean the floor behind and around the toilet. Rinse and wring out the mop as needed. Work your way toward the door to avoid additional scanning.
With full disclosure, my bathroom was in desperate need of a deep clean — I spent nearly three hours on the process (basically showering). However, it usually takes 20-40 minutes, depending on how many bottles I move off the countertop.
Finally, enjoy your clean bathroom
It’s time to enjoy your clean bathroom. (Or in my case, disinfecting my phone after taking photos).
Cleaning your bathroom more often will make it easier and faster. Even if you don’t always follow this process, remember the four secret weapons of professional cleaners:
- Fold your rags.
- Prepare surfaces before cleaning.
- Spray the product on rags when spot cleaning.
- Clean fixtures in a specific order to achieve maximum cleanliness.
Now you’re ready to clean with the best.
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