Your bathroom may appear clean, but it’s surely one of the grimiest places in the house. According to Professor Charles Gerba, bathrooms are places where bacteria and mold grow. Regular deep cleaning is necessary to truly sanitize a space, not only for the look of things, but for your health to boot.
Here’s a full, step-by-step guide to help you deep clean your bathroom — the right way. These techniques focus on the place where bacteria grow the most. It will help you create a gleaming, fresher, and more sanitary environment.
How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom: 10 Must-Try Tricks That Actually Work
1. Start with the Showerhead
Why: The showerhead can be a hidden hotspot for bacteria. For example, Mycobacterium. It can be harmful when inhaled.
How to do it: To give it a good cleaning, fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, place the shower head inside, and tie it in place for an overnight soaking. Leave it to soak overnight. (The next morning, take the bag off and run hot water through the head to flush out any loosened debris and bacteria.)
2. Deep Clean the Sink and Faucet
Why: Do you know the sink drain is often more bacteria-ridden than even the toilet? So you should take the right actions to keep it clean.
How to do it: Pour white vinegar or baking soda down the drain. Then flush with hot water. This not only disinfects but also helps prevent clogs.
Wipe the handles with disposable disinfecting wipes — they are better at killing bacteria than reusable rags. If you like clothes, have separate sets for the different bathroom regions to prevent the spread of germs. To get the nitty, gritty clean, run a piece of dental floss through the small crevice where the base of the faucet meets the sink.
3. Disinfect Towels and Towel Bars
Why: Used towels collect moisture and bacteria quickly. This is especially true when you share it with other family members.
How to do it: You have to wash them every three to four days.
- Use a sanitizing cycle or add bleach if safe for the fabric.
- Place the towels on a bar after each use to dry.
- Hang them on hooks where folds prevent air circulation.
Also, clean towel bars regularly—they accumulate bacteria just like any other high-touch surface.
4. Clean the Ventilation Fan
Why: Your bathroom fan helps to manage humidity. But over time, it becomes clogged with dust and bacteria.
How to Do it: Turn off the power from the circuit breaker first. Unscrew the fan cover and rinse it in soapy water. Clean the fan blades and motor using a vacuum and brush attachment. Even the tiles can be cleaned with a stiff paintbrush and the vacuum once more. Dry everything completely before putting it back together.
For continued maintenance, try a timer switch that will keep the fan running during and for a time after each shower, cutting down on mold and wasted energy.
5. Sanitize the Toilet Thoroughly
Why: Flushing the toilet can release droplets of bacteria into the air..
How to Do it:
- To purify the bowl, just add a cup of baking soda
- Leave it for a few minutes, then scrub with a toilet brush and flush
- To remove stubborn mineral stains, use a damp pumice stone.
Note: Remember to clean the seat, lid, and base as well. And it’s generally a good idea to close the lid before flushing.
Utilize the vent fan to help remove airborne particles. Keep your toothbrush and other personal hygiene equipment inside the closed cabinet. It shields against bacteria.
6. Refresh Shower Curtains and Glass Doors
Why: Shower curtains can accumulate mildew, body oils, and soap scum.
Note: If they’re machine washable, you can use regular detergent. The towels will scrub away buildup naturally.
How to do it: For glass doors, make a paste of a little baking soda with vinegar. Apply it to the surface, leaving it for an hour, and wipe it with the use of a microfiber fabric.
Rinse thoroughly and then rub with a clean, dry cloth to prevent streaking. To maintain them, spritz the doors routinely with a daily shower cleaner to ward off mold and water stains.
7. Clean and Seal the Grout
Why: Grout, being porous, acts like a sponge for dirt and germs.
How to do it: To clean, scrub discolored lines with a toothbrush dipped into straight bleach. You need to have a lot of ventilation in that room. Be sure to seal the grout every six months to avoid the continued accumulation of grime. Why do that? That barrier will reject moisture and keep your grout as brightly colored as the day you cleaned it.
8. Tackle Walls, Ceilings, and Counters
Why: Walls and ceilings collect residue from steam, soap, and airborne particles.
How to do it:
- Spritz an all-purpose cleaner across the surfaces
- Let the hot shower run for several minutes to produce steam.
- Turn off the water and shut the door to
- Allow the mixture to sit for approximately 20 minutes.
- Wipe everything with a microfiber cloth when you’re done.
- Use a microfiber mop for ceilings or high walls.
- Save the floor for the last thing, when all the dust has settled.
Leave the floor for last, after all the debris has settled.
9. Clean Bathroom Accessories Like a Toothbrush Holder
Most people ignore toothbrush holders when cleaning the bathroom. Yet they can host as many germs as a kitchen sponge.
Once a week, you should be soaking these accessories in a mixture of warm water and baking soda. Let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse and air dry.
Read also: 10 Ways to Keep Your Bathroom/Toilet Smelling Fresh All the Time
10. Dust and Disinfect Light Fixtures
Bathroom lights are also covered in dust, moisture, and bacteria. Unplug the power before cleaning. Use a microfiber cloth moistened with warm, soapy water to clean fixtures. Dry thoroughly before turning the lights back on.
Final Thoughts
Deep cleaning doesn’t need to be nonstop scrubbing for hours — it’s about focusing on the filthiest spots, those most susceptible to bacteria and fungi growth, and keeping a routine cleaning schedule. With these steps, your bathroom will not only look fresh, but it will be safer and healthier for everyone in your household.
Once you’re done with the deep clean, consider setting a bi-weekly or monthly reminder to keep up with these tasks. Your bathroom can remain clean, sparkly clean, and most importantly, germ-free with this simple cleaning regimen.
Read also: 20+ Small Bathroom Ideas For 2025