- Ventilate the space after showering with the exhaust fan or by opening the door and using a clip-on fan.
- Wipe down the sink to remove small messes such as toothpaste splatters.
- Keep only daily use items on the sink counter.
You don’t have to deep clean the bathroom every day to keep it fresh, looking and smelling fresh, but there are a few habits that people with the cleanest bathrooms tend to adopt.
We asked cleaning experts to share the tips for keeping your bathroom fresh every day without needing a deep clean.
Moisture and Humidity Management
From warping the vanity to allowing mold growth, moisture can make a bath both unsightly and smelly.
To help manage this, open the window, run the exhaust fan, hang towels properly to dry, and leave the door open after showering.
“Also take a minute to clean up water damage, whether that’s using a squeegee on the shower glass, drying the counters, or wiping up small puddles around the sink,” recommends Jon Riding, owner of Evergreen Cleaning Company.
Diana Ciechorska, founder and CEO of Park Slope Cleaning, advises running the exhaust fan during a shower and for at least 15 to 30 minutes afterward.
“For bathrooms without a good fan, opening the door and running a small clip-on fan for 20 minutes makes a real difference,” says Ciechorska.
Wipe surfaces
Both experts suggest daily wiping of the sink area. Treat it like the kitchen counter: you won’t leave food residue behind all night.
“It’s much easier to spend a few minutes each day controlling dirt rather than waiting until the bathroom needs a deep clean,” says Riding.
Ciechorska recommends spending 60 seconds each morning on the sink, faucet and counter and keeping a small stack of microfiber cloths under the sink and a spray bottle of all-purpose cleaner for doing this.
“The key is to have the supplies visible and within reach, because if you have to dig under the furniture, you won’t do it,” she emphasizes.
Manage the mess
Just like other rooms in the house, less cluttered bathrooms are easier to keep cleaner. When counters are covered in produce, they are much harder to clean and dust tends to build up around everything.
Maintenance becomes much easier if only regularly used items are kept on the counter and clutter is kept to a minimum, says Riding.
Passively absorb odors
Passively neutralize odors by keeping an open container of activated charcoal or baking soda in the bath. Just find an inconspicuous corner on a shelf to position it.
You can also pour baking soda directly into bathroom trash cans and into bowls that you can hide throughout the space.
Spray the shower
Moisture from the shower and residue left on surfaces repeatedly over time causes a buildup of soap scum and mold, so it’s essential to break this cycle.
Ciechorska advises spraying the shower right after you get out and before the walls dry. Keep the daily shower spray (something enzyme-based or with hydrogen peroxide) on the shower tablet and spray the walls and floor each time.
“You don’t have to wipe it, that’s the whole point,” she says, explaining that it breaks down soap scum so it rinses off next time.
Most people can do this only two to three times a week, but you should do it daily if your water is hard.
If you prefer, you can also make a DIY shower spray using water, white vinegar and a few drops of tea tree oil.
Caring for textiles
The cleanest bathrooms tend to have clean towels, bathmats and shower liners, according to Riding.
“Even if the bathroom itself is clean, old, worn or damp textiles can make the space feel much less fresh,” he says.
Apply your daily shower spray to the back of the liner and hold the liner extended to ensure moisture does not accumulate in the creases. If it smells bad, there are tears, or soap scum builds up, consider replacing the liner.
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