How to Get the Dirtiest Parts of Your Bathroom Clean in No Time

Your bathrooms are likely some of the most-used rooms in your entire house, which means they should be given a good scrub on a regular basis. While it's not the most glamorous chore, it's necessary: Keeping your bathroom clean is imperative for good hygiene and peace of mind, and once you've learned how to clean your bathroom like a pro, this daunting task seems far easier. From the sink to the toilet to the shower, there's so much to consider, and even if your bathroom is no bigger than a closet, there's no denying that dust and grime can build up quickly. Ahead, we're sharing exactly how to clean the dirtiest parts of your bathroom so you can spend more time relaxing in the bathtub rather than cleaning it.

Contrary to what you might believe, getting your bathroom perfectly clean doesn't need to involve a slew of chemical-based cleaning products. According to Cassity Kmetzch of Remodelaholic, many of the room's dirtiest areas can actually be cleaned with one simple product: baking soda. What's more, this powerhouse ingredient doesn't just clean—it can also remove odors from drains, wastebaskets, and shower curtains.

If an all-natural clean is what you're after, there are even more products found in your cupboard that are instrumental in cleaning these spaces, such as vinegar. You can make a simple, effective toilet bowl cleaner with the acidic substance and borax, then get to work cleaning one of the dirtiest parts of the room with ease.

Ahead, explore more of our bathroom cleaning ideas to get your cleanest bathroom yet.

Baking soda is a safe and effective way to deodorize drains. Kmetzch says to pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain and wait for it to bubble up. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before pouring very hot (not boiling) water down the drain to eliminate any odors while scrubbing your pipes.

Since bathmats get wet so often, they can easily grow mold, mildew, and the smells that accompany these issues. To deodorize and clean them, Kmetzch says, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle the next time you drop your mats into the washer.

If you bought washable shower curtains, simply pop them into your washer along with your bath mat and baking soda, says Kmetzch. If you have a plastic shower curtain, sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge and scrub your shower curtain before rinsing thoroughly.

Eliminate odors by sprinkling some baking soda in the bottom of the trashcan before putting in a new bag. Kmetzch recommends adding a dusting every time you throw trash into the container, or after emptying, wash the container with a solution of one cup baking soda to every one gallon of water.

As far as bathroom cleaning goes, giving your toilet a solid scrub is likely the most important and dreaded task of all. It doesn't have to be all that hard, though. All you really need to clean your toilet bowl is vinegar, a toilet brush, and borax.

According to Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home ($27, amazon.com), our Founder suggests dusting light fixtures to ensure they get clean. Simply use a microfiber cloth to wipe away those pesky particles. 

If your powder room is lucky enough to have a window, cleaning it regularly is important. Streaky glass can mess with the room's natural light, making your fast five-minute face not so quick. For a DIY window cleaning solution, simply use equal parts white vinegar and water, and your window panes will be sparkling in no time. 

Martha also says to vacuum and mop floors to get your bathroom clean. Use the vacuum to clear any debris, and a mop to clean the entire area. It'll be sparkling in no time.

For a DIY cleaner, add one teaspoon of liquid soap and (such as tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, or peppermint) to one cup of baking, according to Martha. Add just enough water to form a paste, and use it with a sponge or brush to scour bathtub surface.