Before I became a tech reporter, I was a full-time professional custodian for five and a half years. I learned a few tricks that I still use today when cleaning my bathroom at home. Let’s explore my go-to supplies and cleaning methods, 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 a typical supermarket or hardware store.
There’s plenty of flexibility for the chemicals you choose. However, be aware that mixing cleaning products can be dangerous. Personally, the only retail chemical formulations I buy are foaming multipurpose bathroom sprays and toilet-bowl gels because they increase the dwell time, or how long a chemical cleans and disinfects before you wipe 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. (FYI, vinegar and stone aren’t a good combo.) Distilled water is perfect for cleaning dilutions.
A handy tip about dilutions is that obtaining the correct ratio is more important than you think. A common mistake is adding too much soap to mop water for added cleaning power. In reality, this extra soap often stays on the floor, which is why you might encounter sticky floors in an otherwise clean restroom.
Many spray bottles and pump sprayers even have built-in dilution scales—remember to label your bottles so you know which mixture is which.
Although professional janitors often use advanced tools like steam cleaners, pressure washers and pricey equipment, the core equipment is the same stuff you’ll use at home, with a few tweaks for efficiency and control:
- Gloves: Protection against germs and chemicals is a must. I use disposable nitrile gloves because there’s no guarantee that reusable gloves will stay clean after multiple sessions.
- Disposable shop towels: You can find these in the automotive department and at hardware stores. Their durability means you can clean your bathroom with fewer towels. Unlike microfiber cloths, you won’t need to wash and sanitize them fastidiously.
- No-scratch scouring pads are also the best way to clean metal faucets. Unlike green scouring pads, they won’t damage chrome finishes. Still, it’s always a good idea to test on a hidden area to see if it will damage a surface.
- Abrasive scouring pads: Green scouring pads are excellent for hard water stains on porcelain sinks and toilets.
- Toilet brush: Don’t forget to replace it occasionally for better cleaning and fewer germs.
- Broom and mop: Cleaning the floor isn’t glamorous, but it helps prevent germs from spreading around the house on your feet or shoes.
9 tips for cleaning your bathroom like a pro
Surprisingly, public restrooms are much easier to clean than my bathroom at home.
During my time as a professional cleaner, most restrooms lacked counters and showers, but featured automatic faucets, wall-mounted sinks and toilets. This makes cleaning a breeze — I can clean an entire restroom with six toilets, four sinks, and a giant mirror in around 30 minutes, just as I can clean my entire bathroom at home.
Still, a single public restroom requires many hours of cleaning each week to stay in working condition. While a restroom’s layout plays a role, multiple daily cleaning sessions make all the difference: morning and afternoon spot cleaning followed by thorough cleansing each night.
Once a week is generally good enough in a home setting. However, frequent cleaning reduces reliance on overly powerful (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 your cleaning rags: control and efficiency.
Folded rags are easier to control because they’re closer to the size of your palm — they won’t flop around or fling liquid into the air. You can maximize the time before you need a new rag by flipping and refolding the rag to use the remaining portions that are still clean.
For example, I fold my towel twice so it’s half the original size. I flip it over once the first surface is too dirty to clean anymore. And we don’t stop there because you can invert the fold to access two more cleaning surfaces. Most of the dirt sticks only to the surface and won’t seep through the rag, so you can use the entire surface of the towel before needing a new one.
You can unfold the rag to use the other side — for a total of eight cleaning surfaces. While dirt is more likely to seep through the rag at this point, it’s great for dry dusting and other light-duty tasks.
2. Get your gear on and tidy up
You should always round out your outfit with a pair of gloves.
My custodian uniform handled the dirty work when I was on the clock, but you’ll get along fine with an old t-shirt, jeans and a pair of close-toed shoes. This is enough to protect you from splashback, but a long-sleeve shirt can provide even more insurance. Wearing safety glasses are a good idea.
After you’re dressed to impress — err, de-mess — tidy up the bathroom by clearing off the counter. Likewise, toss washcloths, towels and the shower curtain into the washing machine. Dust off surfaces and brush debris from the countertop into the trash. Always flush the toilet to bring fresh water into the bowl. Lastly, sweep the floor so you don’t have to contend with soggy bits of trash later.
3. Prep your surfaces and ventilate the room
Cleaning products often need time to work effectively.
Open the window or turn on the exhaust fan. If you have a small portable air purifier, it’s not a bad idea to bring it in. Next, generously spray down the mirror, counter and sink with your cleaning solution, 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 that won’t dry out too quickly — or immediately soak your rag.
Allowing the cleaning solutions to sit, do the same for your toilet and shower. Remember not to mix chemicals — especially with bleach-based cleaners — to avoid creating noxious fumes. At this stage, avoid scrubbing and instead, flip up the toilet seat with your shoe to prevent touching it with your gloves.
For regular cleaning, spray down the toilet seat and bowl with your cleaning spray and let it sit while you clean the rest of the bathroom. For deep cleaning, use a toilet brush or plunger to remove as much water from the bowl as possible before pouring on the bowl cleaner.
Streaky mirrors may need more polishing.
5. Mirror magic: Spray the rag, not the surface, when doing touch-ups
Once the toilet is soaking, begin wiping the mirror off from top to bottom. If you need more glass cleaner, spray it directly onto the rag, not the mirror. It avoids overspray and spotting from the spray bottle. This is the secret weapon that professional custodians use for perfect results.
Let’s do a quick recap. Spray the surface first to disinfect and loosen grime more effectively. Follow up by spraying the rag when you touch up problem areas. This two-prong approach yields the best look and cleanliness.
6. Counter and sink: Use a blue, no-scratch scrubbing pad
Cutting your scouring pads into smaller sizes makes them easier to use-and they last longer compared to using a single large pad.
Use the same rag from the mirror if it still has clean sections. Start with the counter and faucet to prevent cross-contamination — sink basins are deceptively dirty.
If you encounter grime that’s too heavy for your rag, then you’ll need a no-scratch scrubbing pad that’s not too abrasive (blue) –never use a green pad on polished metal or most countertops. After scrubbing, wipe excess liquid off every surface and polish the faucet with your rag.
7. Tub and shower: Don’t forget the shower head
Don’t forget to scrub the showerhead, especially if you have hard water.
Tubs and showers aren’t commonly found in public restrooms, so my professional experience in this area is limited. But you can use the same top-to-bottom process as the mirror. Use a brush or scrubber to work the cleaning product into the walls of the bathing area, occasionally adding water or product to the wall as needed to prevent it from becoming too dry.
Weekly shower cleaning means less grime, soap scum and mineral buildup — you should be able to do this step in 10 minutes or less. Deep cleaning takes much longer, requiring more effort — I don’t recommend putting this off unless you’re willing to spend hours on it, as I did. Pesky hard water on a shower head is easiest to remove with a brush, vinegar and a dental pick. Best of all, your shower head operates smoothly.
After scrubbing, rinse off the walls, tub and faucet. Air drying is fine, but shiny tile and faucets benefit from a squeegee or a clean rag if you want them looking their best for visitors.
8. Clean the toilet with a scrub brush and rag
Cleaning the toilet last will prevent cross-contamination with other surfaces.
Once again, follow a specific order when cleaning the toilet — begin with the surfaces people are most likely to touch, such as the handle, tank, lid and seat. You can use the toilet brush on the bottom of the seat, but a rag is better for cleaning the top of the toilet seat.
After the seat is clean, lift it before scrubbing the rim and bowl with the toilet brush. Although the toilet cleaning chemicals should have loosened the grime, you may need a green scrubbing pador a pumice stick to address stains and hard water.
My previous pumice stick (bottom) is on its last leg.
Don’t be afraid to get into every nook and cranny. Remember to push extra water out with a plunger for better access below the water line. Run your rag over the rim to dry it off.
Time to take off your gloves — throw them away or follow the manufacturer’s steps to wash them for next time. Never reuse unclean gloves and always wash your hands after removal.
9. Mop the floor, starting behind the toilet
Don’t mop yourself into a corner.
Using your mop of choice, clean the floor behind and around the toilet. Rinse the mop and squeeze it out as needed. Work your way toward the door to avoid extra mopping.
Full disclosure, my bathroom desperately needed a deep clean — I spent roughly three hours on the process (mainly the shower). However, it usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how many bottles I’m moving off the countertop.
Finally, revel in your clean bathroom
Time to admire your clean bathroom. (Or in my case, sanitize my phone after taking photos.)
Cleaning your bathroom often will make it easier and faster. And even if you don’t always follow this process, remember the four secret weapons of professional janitors:
- Fold your rags.
- Prep surfaces before cleaning.
- Spray product on rags when spot cleaning.
- Clean fixtures in a specific order for maximum hygiene.
Now you’re ready to clean with the best.
