Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Tips on Organizing Your Home

      Tips on Organizing Your Home

      From the kitchen and bathroom to the bedroom and laundry room, here are 40 ways to simplify, streamline, and banish clutter throughout the house. Read More
    • These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      Upgrade your spaces with new—and old—classics. Read More
    • 39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      These classic recipes will help you get a head start on the festivities. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    Express your love with handmade Valentine's crafts like paper cards, gift ideas, and decorations.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Secure your role as the host with the absolute most.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    Amp up your home décor with perfectly placed frames.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Don't let your varieties fall victim to the perils of poor cold-weather maintenance.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    Our easy tips will make this cleaning task a lot less daunting.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Ready, set, go! Our no-nonsense guide will help you learn how to plan your wedding like a pro.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Take a multi-pronged approach if you're experiencing excess dryness.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Cleaning & Organizing
  3. Bathroom Cleaning Tips
  4. How to Get the Dirtiest Parts of Your Bathroom Clean in No Time

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

By Emily Goldman Updated April 27, 2021
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Pasha Belman Photography

These expert tips and tricks will get your powder room sparkling. 

Start Slideshow

1 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
rob diaz home tour master bathroom
Credit: Courtesy of Todd Goodman of LA Light Photo

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.

1 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Drains

clean-dirtiest-parts-of-bathroom-sink-0316.jpg

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.

2 of 10

3 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bathmats

clean-dirtiest-parts-of-bathroom-bath-mats-0316.jpg

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.

3 of 10

Advertisement

4 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Shower Curtain

clean-dirtiest-parts-of-bathroom-shower-curtains-0316.jpg

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.

4 of 10

5 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Wastebaskets

Lilac Color Round Top Step Trash Can
Credit: Courtesy of Urban Outfitters

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.

5 of 10

6 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cleaning the Toilet Bowl

scrubbing toilet with brush
Credit: Dontstop / Getty Images
Get the DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner How-To

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.

6 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lighting

large bathroom with standalone tub
Credit: Christopher Churchill

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. 

  • How to Effectively Dust Any Room in the House

7 of 10

8 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Windows

the modern bathroom decorated with plants
Credit: Trevor Tondro

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. 

8 of 10

9 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Floors

southern california house boys bathroom with blue tile floor
Credit: Lauren Pressey

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.

9 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bathtub

chrome faucet on white bathtub with table and towels
Credit: whyframestudio / Getty Images

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.

10 of 10

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Emily Goldman

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 10
    2 of 10 Drains
    3 of 10 Bathmats
    4 of 10 Shower Curtain
    5 of 10 Wastebaskets
    6 of 10 Cleaning the Toilet Bowl
    7 of 10 Lighting
    8 of 10 Windows
    9 of 10 Floors
    10 of 10 Bathtub

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    How to Get the Dirtiest Parts of Your Bathroom Clean in No Time
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.