Things people with always clean bathrooms do — 9 habits to pick up for a spotless wash space

No one loves to clean the bathroom, not even those people who always seem to have a clean bathroom. You see while many of us opt to dedicate a specific day to tackling the space, that friend with a spotless bathroom has taken a different approach to cleaning a bathroom. Instead, they have built up habits that allow them to keep it that way with small regular bursts of effort.

‘Rather than dealing with big messes, they prevent them,’ Catherine Green from smol, reveals. This means taking a few minutes each day to prevent things from building up.

Taking time out each day might sound time-consuming on the surface, but it will add up to the same amount of time as your one big clean. Think of it this way, instead of taking 30 minutes to clean your bathroom and having a grubby space for half the week, you could be cleaning for 5 minutes, on just five days and always have a clean bathroom.

But what are those habits you should be getting into to make those 5 minutes as useful as possible? Here are ten things people with clean bathrooms always do, and ways to start implementing them into your own cleaning routine going forward.

1. Wipe down surfaces everyday

‘People who maintain clean bathrooms make it a daily habit to wipe down all surfaces, including counters, sinks, mirrors, and shelves,’ reveals Cory Powell, Co-Director of DBS Bathrooms. ‘A quick wipe helps remove any watermarks, soap scum, or dust that may accumulate throughout the day.’

Doing this regularly will save you from having to dedicate hours to a deep clean, with a quick wipe down only taking a few minutes, instead. It will also help you to keep on top of any buildup, before it happens, to keep your bathroom looking polished and fresh with very minimal effort.

2. Squeegee shower screens

In a similar vein, ‘people with clean bathrooms often use a squeegee or cloth after every shower to keep the glass clear, reducing the need for heavy-duty scrubbing later,’ Cory suggests.

This stops soap, excess water and grime from gathering on the shower screen, wall panels and glass in your shower or wet room, as well as streaks and smears so you don't have to work out how to get rid of hard water stains.

3. Empty the bathroom bin regularly

Another quick and easy way to make your bathroom look and feel cleaner is by emptying your bathroom bin on a regular basis. As items in the bin start to accumulate they can lead to unpleasant odours and the bathroom looking untidy.

Try to get into the habit of emptying your waste bin every few days, or at least once a week, depending on how quickly it fills up. The easiest way to keep on top of this is to line your bathroom bin with small bin liners that you can easily toss into a black bin liner.

4. Clean grout weekly

‘Grout is essential for tiling; however it is porous and absorbs moisture which can lead to the growth of mildew,’ says Sarah McGregor, Bathroom Expert at Victorian Plumbing. ‘Make sure you clean your tiling properly after a shower with a soft bristle brush in between tiles. This will remove soap scum and prevent the build-up of mineral deposits.’

5. Control the humidity and air flow

‘Excessive moisture and humidity in bathrooms can lead to mould and mildew growth, which is why clean bathroom owners control humidity levels by using exhaust fans, opening windows, or utilising dehumidifiers,’ Cory states.

Not only does this help to keep the air feeling fresh, while preventing mould from developing but it can also help to protect and prolong your bathroom surfaces. While ‘wall panels are a moisture-resistant option, preventing mould and mildew growth in moisture-prone areas like showers or behind sinks, in contrast, tile grout can absorb moisture and may contribute to mould growth if not properly maintained,’ Cory warns.

6. Wash and change bath mats

As you might expect, bath mats – both the non-slip kind that you use inside the bath and the ones that you put on your bathroom floor – can accumulate moisture, which creates a perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew. People with clean bathrooms make it a point to wash their bathroom mats frequently and swap out any that are past their best, to prevent this.

Keeping the mats dry and fresh not only helps maintain cleanliness, but it also prevents any unpleasant or musty odours from developing.

For fluffy bath mats or ones made of fabric, ‘You should wash your bath mat at least once a week to remove any bacteria that has built up,’ says Bio-D's Sustainability, NPD and Regulatory Manager, Heather Nixon. ‘Incorporate it into your towel washing schedule, and once dry give them a good shake to help fluff up the fibres and make it more absorbent. Though you’ll want to avoid fabric conditioner when washing, which can leave a residue and make it less effective.’

7. Keep toiletries and products organised

Unnecessary clutter can make a bathroom look a lot messier than it actually is. So, if you don’t necessarily need three different bottles of shampoo or shower gels out on display, look into bathroom storage ideas to hide these out of sight for a more streamlined look.

According to Cory: 'a key characteristic of people with clean bathrooms is their dedication to keeping toiletries and bathroom supplies organised. They use drawers, cabinets, or baskets to neatly store items like shampoo, soap, and skincare products. This prevents clutter on countertops, which makes surfaces easier to clean. A clean and organised bathroom also creates a more spacious and calm environment.’

8. Use a drain cover

If you don’t already have a drain or plug cover to catch hair, adding one to your bath or shower will save you from having long hairs start to clog up the system. A cover will go a long way in avoiding having to unclog a shower plug.

Alternatively, ‘every couple of months give them a preventative cleaning to clear anything that might be hiding down there,’ Sarah proposes.

And ‘bicarbonate of soda can work wonders. Just pour a small amount down the sink followed by clear vinegar, which should remove anything clogging the pipes.’

9. Keep the floor clean

Not only is it important to pick up any damp – or unused – towels from the floor, but ideally you’ll want to ‘hoover or mop flooring every week,’ Lee says. You’ll also probably notice quite a bit of hair on your bathroom floor, if you take a good look, and this can be especially true if you brush or comb through your hair before or after you hop in the shower.

Both in terms of safety and aesthetics, you’ll want to get into the habit of drying your bathroom floor if there are any wet footprints or splashes, too, to keep it looking clean and tidy.

10. Always have clean towels

Finally, one thing people with clean bathrooms always do is have clean towels ready for guests and family members to use. ‘Clean, fluffy towels help a bathroom look clean and tidy,’ Lee says, with them also adding a spa-like quality to any bathroom.

On the other hand, dirty or damp towels can make a bathroom look unkempt and contribute to unwanted smells. So, hang up any that have been used and swap them out for fresh towels every day or so, depending on how often you use them.

Now you've found out all the secrets that people with always clean bathrooms do, will you be adopting any of their habits?