How To Clean Your Bathroom In 30 Minutes Or Less, According To An Expert

How often do you clean the bathroom in your home? For many people, it's the chore they dislike most, especially when it means crawling on the floor to scrub behind the toilet or balancing along the edge of the tub to deep clean the grout. Yet, we all know that it's a critical task. As Time reports, researchers found that, unsurprisingly, bathrooms are pretty dirty. And, while that toilet may be the one area you're focused on, your toothbrush holder may be the worst culprit for germs, harboring everything from mold to yeast, coliform, and staph.

You know you have to get the bathroom clean, but you don't have time to spend hours scrubbing each tile or wiping up every toothpaste splatter. When the workload is heavy, you may even be making some mistakes when cleaning your bathroom. Recognizing its importance, Hugo Guerrero, a certified House Cleaning Technician with Mattressive, shares his expertise in an exclusive interview with House Digest. He offers a simple-to-follow strategy that will allow you to thoroughly clean your bathroom in under 30 minutes. Here's the routine you'll want to follow.

Does one glance at the bathroom make you sigh, knowing there's a lot of unnecessary stuff in there? Hugo Guerrero wants you to tackle the basics first. "Start by removing any clutter or items that don't belong in the bathroom, like knick-knacks, dirty clothes, and garbage. This will make it easier to clean and help you focus on the areas that need the most attention."

So, grab a basket and fill it up with everything that shouldn't be in your bathroom and place it aside to put away later. Whether it's a cup that belongs in the kitchen or a pile of rubbish that came out of your pants pocket before tossing them in the laundry, collect it all now. There may be some incidental items in the bathroom that you actually need, but they could get in the way while you're cleaning. Guerrero says, "You can also throw towels and washcloths in the dirty clothes at this time."

Though it may be the job you've put off for a while because it seems like the grossest one possible, you can't overlook the importance of scrubbing down the toilet forever. It may not be as hard as it seems, though, and Hugo Guerrero offers a straightforward method to get you started. "Use a toilet bowl cleaner and a toilet brush to scrub the inside of the bowl and under the rim."

He continues, "While the toilet bowl cleaner is working, use a multi-surface cleaner and a sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe down the exterior of the toilet, including the seat and lid. I normally work from top to bottom." You certainly don't want to use the same cleaning cloth for any other surface in the bathroom, so toss it in with that collection of dirty laundry before moving on. The toilet is undoubtedly the hardest part of the cleaning process, but there's more work to do.

How many messes can you find around your sink and vanity? There could be water spots, toothpaste that's stuck in place, or drops of makeup that didn't get cleaned up properly. These are dirty surfaces that attract bacteria thanks to the constant moisture found in bathrooms. Because surfaces can be so dirty, it's important to clean them properly. Here's how Hugo Guerrero recommends getting this done. "Wipe down the sink, faucet, and counter with a multi-surface cleaner and a sponge or microfiber cloth. Doing so in that order will help the faucet and counter look cleaner for longer because they won't have any residue from the sink left on them."

Another concern with these larger surfaces is the buildup of dust, which can happen easily near vents or open windows. Guerrero has a tip for this, sharing, "If there is any dust in your home, it's best to dust before wiping down these areas as well." Though you might not feel keen on adding an extra step, it does help ensure the dust gets removed, which makes the surface easier to thoroughly scrub down.

Next up is the shower or bathtub, which can be daunting tasks considering their size. These areas tend to be the most at risk for mold and mildew growth due to excessive moisture. To get them looking good, follow Hugo Guerrero's advice. "If you have a bathtub or shower, use a tub and tile cleaner to scrub the surfaces. Don't forget to clean the shower head and handles." The first time you scrub down the walls and surfaces, it will take more time, but consistency makes this easier to do over time.

Continue to work on all of the surfaces here, following these additional tips from Guerrero to get sparkling results. "For glass shower doors, make sure to get some glass cleaner and spray it on the surfaces. You may want to use paper towels or a rag to wipe down the doors afterward. If there's grime on your shower curtain, try using baking soda mixed with water to scrub it away."

After all of the hard work, there's just one more spot to clean — the floor. You don't have to get on your hands and knees, though. Hugo Guerrero shares a simple method for getting those floors looking their best. "Finally, sweep or vacuum the floor and mop it if necessary. If you have a rug in your bathroom, shake it out or vacuum it to remove any dirt or debris. You can also toss a dirty one into the washer and put down a new one."

Now that your bathroom looks fantastic, work to keep it that way by encouraging a clean-as-you-go philosophy. Martha Stewart recommends a deep cleaning and sanitization of your bathroom at least once a week. In between, keep everything wiped down and tidy to make cleaning easier and less daunting to manage. Most people don't like to deep clean the bathroom, but when the process is simplified, it's not so bad.