Bathroom Cleaning: How Often Should You Do It?

Different people have different preferences when it comes to how often they clean their homes. Some mop, dust, and vacuum every day, and some do this every week or two.

But taking care of your bathroom is a whole other task to keep in mind. As some of the most bacteria-ridden spaces in our environment, bathrooms should be cleaned more often than in other home areas.

The toilet bowl is not the only dirty area in your bathroom. The bathroom sink, shower, towels, shelves, and floors have just as much potential for bacteria to thrive as the toilet, for example.

How often should you clean your bathroom right? Read our full guide featuring top tips and hacks to learn more about maintaining the ultimate bathroom hygiene.

Why Do Bathrooms Need to Be Cleaned Regularly?

The bathroom is the space where we do most of our grooming and where we dispose of our physiological waste. Thus, they’re naturally the dirtiest space in the house.

Cleaning your bathroom regularly will ensure germs and bacteria are not spread throughout your home. It will lower the risk of catching infections and diseases due to unsanitary living conditions.

Although it might seem counterintuitive if you are the only one using your bathroom, a lot of germs and harmful bacteria can be found in or around the toilet seat – and even in the sink and shower. Some of those bacteria include streptococcus, E. coli, hepatitis, fecal germs, MRSA, salmonella, and norovirus – all threatening to your health and well-being.

How Often Should You Clean Your Bathroom?

Though this will depend on the frequency of bathroom use, the general rule is at least once a week. Bathrooms that are used more frequently will need to be scrubbed more often, whereas those that get less traffic will need less cleaning.

Also, not all surfaces will require the same attention. Some areas of the bathroom are usually more suited for bacterial growth than others, so they’re not completely clean.

Ideally, you should clean the entire bathroom every week. It’s best to come up with a schedule in advance and stick to it.

Let’s take a look at how often to clean individual surfaces in your bathroom.

The Toilet

The toilet should get most of the attention when it comes to bathroom cleaning. For more frequently used toilets, in larger households, the toilet bowl should probably get a good scrubbing every three to four days or even more often.

For less used bathrooms the general rule of once-a-week cleaning should be enough – provided that you wipe the seat with some kind of disinfectant regularly.

When cleaning the toilet, make sure to cover every part. The inside of the bowl should be treated with special toilet cleaner, whereas the outside can be wiped with any multipurpose and less abrasive cleaning product. You can also opt for rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide solution to make sure you get rid of all germs and bacteria.

Shower & Sink

The shower and sink are the second most important parts to clean. The sink should be cleaned more often because it can accumulate a lot of bacteria and even fecal matter. A good practice is to wipe it down every few days and give it a good scrub on a weekly basis along with the rest of the bathroom.

The attention you should give to cleaning your shower area will depend on how frequently it’s being used. If it’s used every day, or multiple times a day, you’ll need to clean it more often.

To minimize the build-up of bacteria, mold, and mildew in your shower, it’s good to take extra time to dry it off with a towel or a sponge after every use.

Don’t forget to clean the drain! If you don’t clean the drain of your shower and sink regularly, they may get blocked and lead to bigger problems, such as water damage and leaks.

Bathtub & Floors

Similar to the shower, your bathtub should get a thorough cleaning at least once a week. Make sure to clean every part of it including the faucet and drain.

As for your bathroom floor, it should receive as much attention as all other floors in your home – if not more. A good rule is to run a mop over your bathroom floor every week and wipe any messes and spills as they happen. You can use a mild disinfectant to make sure your bathroom floor is germ-free.

Mirrors & Other Surfaces

Mirrors and other surfaces, such as counters and shelves would be easier to clean and will require a quick wipe once or twice a week. Here, you can use a mild disinfectant or some spray cleaner and a paper towel.

Towels & Mats

Speaking of, don’t forget your towels and bathroom mats, as they can become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria when left unattended. You should swipe out your hand towels every few days and your bath towels after two to three uses. Make sure to wash your bath mats regularly as well, to keep your bathroom clean and fresh.

How Often Should You Clean the Bathroom If It’s Not Regularly Used?

Naturally, bathrooms that are not used as frequently will require less cleaning. However, even if the bathroom is completely unused, dust will settle quickly. And if there’s enough moisture, it will need to be cleaned pretty regularly. Once every ten days, or after two weeks would be a good practice.

How Long Does It Take to Clean a Bathroom?

Cleaning your bathroom doesn’t have to be a labor-intensive process that will take all day. Depending on the severity of the state of your bathroom, it should take somewhere between 20 and 45 minutes, or perhaps an hour if your bathroom is in particularly bad shape. This will include scrubbing your toilet, sink, shower, mirrors and surfaces, floors, and even wall tiles and windows.

For a deeper tile and grout cleaning, you can get more information on how to clean mold and stains from your grout and learn some tips to help make your bathroom look and smell like new.

How to Keep Your Bathroom Clean?

Maintaining your bathroom clean is a lot easier and better than waiting for your weekly or monthly cleaning. Scrubbing and wiping accumulated dirt and scum off of your tiles and surfaces are some of the musts for a squeaky clean bathroom.

Moisture is the biggest enemy here, so try to keep it at bay as much as possible by drying the shower and sink with a towel after each use. Or, leave the ventilation fan on until the bathroom is fully dry. Wipe the toilet seat more often with a piece of toilet paper and a disinfectant to prevent bacteria build-up. Don’t forget your towels, bath rugs, and shower curtain – replace and wash them frequently too.

Find the Ultimate Bathroom Cleaning Provider for You

A clean bathroom is a must for every household. But sometimes, taking care of it yourself can be a drag. If you need professional help Carpet Advisors can lend a helping hand!

Our tailored service puts you in contact with the best professional cleaners. Whether you need tile and grout cleaning, or a wholesome bathroom cleaning, get in touch with our pros to find the best US provider for you!

FAQ

What happens if you don’t clean your bathroom?

If you fail to clean your bathroom regularly or leave it unattended for months on end, the combination of moisture and heat will allow bacteria that are already present to thrive and amass. These bacteria may cause serious infections and health problems in people with a compromised immune system. They can lead to respiratory issues and lung infections, breakouts, and other skin infections, as well as stomach problems.

How do I keep my bathroom clean every day?

Simply take a few minutes each day to declutter your bathroom. Make sure there are no clothes or products left out in the bathroom. Wipe the most frequently used surfaces such as the toilet seat, mirror, and sink, with a paper towel and some mild disinfectant. You can even make your own solution with some baking soda, white vinegar, or alcohol.

How often should you clean showers?

Usually, cleaning the shower should be done once a week. That said, if you use your shower more often or various people use it at the same time, ensure you clean it after every other showering session or whenever you notice build-up dirt.

Is it okay to pour bleach down the toilet?

There are divided opinions on whether or not bleach is alright for your toilet. Some say it can ruin the porcelain whereas others claim to have used it for years with no problems. Also, most plumbers recommend not using bleach for porcelain-enameled fixtures. If you do decide to pour bleach down your toilet as a cleaning product ensure your bathroom is properly ventilated, follow the instructions on how to dilute it, and don’t leave it on too long.