Deep Cleaning the Bathroom Doesn’t Have to Be Awful—Here’s How I Do It

Alright. Can we just say it? Deep cleaning the bathroom is not anyone’s idea of a fun Saturday. It’s one of those things we put off—like sorting socks or cleaning out the junk drawer—until one day we walk in and think, “Oh… oh no.”

There’s a kind of grime that builds up slowly, the kind you only really notice when the sun hits just right and suddenly the soap scum sparkles. Yikes. I used to just wipe down the counters and call it “clean enough.” But then the mildew crept in. And the mystery gunk under the faucet. And don’t even get me started on the grout.

Eventually, I realized: if I’m going to have a bathroom I’m not embarrassed for guests to see, I need a real game plan. One that doesn’t involve bleach headaches or throwing in the towel halfway through.

So here’s what I do now—my realistic, grandma-approved, mildly therapeutic guide to deep cleaning the bathroom. It’s gentle, it works, and honestly… it kinda makes me feel like I’ve got my life together.

Let’s Get Our Ducks in a Row

Before we go full Cinderella, it helps to gather everything in one place so you’re not hunting for the scrub brush while dripping vinegar across the floor. Here’s my go-to stash:

• Baking soda (bless this stuff)

• Castile soap (Dr. Bronner’s is like magic in a bottle)

• White vinegar (I buy it in bulk—no shame)

• Hydrogen peroxide

• Dish soap

• Lemon juice (fresh or bottled—it’s all good)

• Essential oils (optional, but lavender makes everything feel fancier)

• Microfiber cloths

• Scrub brush

• Old toothbrush

• Spray bottles

• Rubber gloves (unless you enjoy pruney hands and mystery gunk under your nails)

Got it all? Great. Pour yourself a glass of iced tea, crank some music, and let’s start with the sink.

The Sink & Counter: Home to Toothpaste Blobs and Forgotten Hair Ties

Start by clearing everything off. Yes, everything. I know, it’s annoying. But it makes a difference.

The Sink

• Sprinkle baking soda all over. Don’t be shy.

• Add a few drops of castile soap to a damp sponge and scrub like your mother-in-law is coming over.

• Get into the nooks around the faucet. (That’s where the gunk parties.)

• Rinse with warm water and breathe in that clean.

The Counter

• Wipe away hair, dust, and whatever that is near the toothbrush holder.

• Spray a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water, then wipe it all down with a clean cloth.

Honestly? It already feels better.

The Toilet: The Part We Dread (But Weirdly Love When It’s Done)

Look, it’s nobody’s favorite chore. But it’s a must. And it doesn’t have to be gross.

Inside the Bowl

• Sprinkle baking soda inside.

• Pour in a cup of vinegar. It’ll fizz like a science experiment from middle school.

• Scrub with a toilet brush, especially under the rim.

• Let it sit 10–15 minutes. Then flush with dramatic flair.

Outside the Toilet

• Spray your vinegar-water mix over the tank, seat, and base. Wipe it down.

• Use an old toothbrush to clean around hinges and bolts. (You’ll feel very accomplished afterward.)

Pro tip: I always finish with a dab of tea tree oil on a cotton ball behind the toilet. Smells fresh and helps keep things… less funky.

The Tub & Shower: Where Soap Scum Goes to Die

Shower/Tub Surfaces

• Sprinkle baking soda across the tub or tile.

• Add castile soap to your sponge or brush and scrub, scrub, scrub.

• Pay attention to corners and grout—don’t rush it.

• Rinse thoroughly. Admire your reflection in the clean tile.

The Showerhead

• Fill a sandwich bag with vinegar.

• Tie it around the showerhead with a rubber band.

• Let it soak while you clean other stuff. Rinse afterward. No more clogged nozzles or hard water spots!

Mirrors & Glass: So Clean You Can See Your Soul

Mirrors

• Spray with vinegar and water.

• Wipe with a dry microfiber cloth. No streaks, no smudges, no weird film.

Shower Doors

• Mix 1 cup vinegar + a few drops of dish soap.

• Spray it on, scrub gently, rinse, and dry.

• Seriously—it makes a huge difference.

Floors: The Forgotten Frontier

• Sweep or vacuum up the hair tumbleweeds and rogue q-tips.

• Mix ½ cup vinegar into a bucket with a gallon of warm water.

• Mop using a microfiber cloth or mop head.

• Don’t soak it—just damp enough to clean, not puddle.

You’ll be shocked how gross that mop water gets. And weirdly proud.

Grout: The Final Boss

How to Win:

• Make a paste with baking soda and water.

• Apply it to grout lines.

• Spray hydrogen peroxide over it.

• Wait 10–15 minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush.

• Wipe clean and tell everyone how heroic you were.

A Few Little Extras That Make a Big Difference

• Add essential oils (tea tree, lemon, lavender) to your cleaner. Smells lovely, fights germs.

• Open a window or run a fan while you clean—ventilation helps everything dry faster.

• Wipe down high-touch spots: switches, handles, towel racks. They’re dirtier than you think.

• Keep a small spray bottle of vinegar in the cabinet for quick daily touch-ups.

Final Thoughts From Someone Who Used to Dread This Too

Look, no one’s ever going to throw you a parade for a clean toilet. But there’s something soul-satisfying about a bathroom that smells like fresh lemon and not… despair.

It’s not about having a Pinterest-perfect house. It’s about taking care of the space where you take care of yourself. Where you wake up, wind down, brush off the day—literally.

And once you do that deep clean? Everything just feels a little bit lighter.

Now go light a candle, toss the gloves in the laundry, and reward yourself with something sweet. You’ve earned it, friend.

Want more cleaning tips that feel like they’re coming from a friend instead of a robot? Stick around—I share new posts every week with old-school wisdom, no-fuss recipes, and the occasional baking disaster.