We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Cleaning Cleaning Products The Best Bathroom Cleaners for Sparkling Tiles and Tubs Get your tiles, grout, and glass squeaky clean. By L. Daniela Alvarez and Barbara Bellesi Zito Barbara Bellesi Zito Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer from Staten Island, NY with more than 18 years of experience covering home and lifestyle topics for a variety of publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 30, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Alli Waataja The best bathroom cleaners can make the unpleasant chore of deep cleaning a bathroom more manageable and efficient, leaving you with a sparkling clean space. This typically humid and high-traffic environment can be a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, and viruses, which is why it’s important to find effective bathroom cleaners that can properly clean, sanitize, and/or disinfect your space. To find the best bathroom cleaners, we spent hours researching several options and top-rated products while considering factors like type, ingredients, and compatibility on surfaces. We also asked Angela Brown, CEO and founder of Savvy Cleaner and host of Ask a House Cleaner, and Leslie Kilgour, professional organizer, home hack expert, and founder of Get It Straight on Long Island, for their tips and insight on what to look for when choosing a bathroom cleaner and how to keep your bathroom clean. Our Top Picks Best Overall Bathroom Cleaner: OxiClean Foaming Bathroom Cleaner at Walmart $5 Jump to Review Best Eco-Friendly Bathroom Cleaner: 9 Elements Bathroom Cleaner at Amazon Jump to Review Best Bathroom Cleaner for Tile and Grout: Clean-eez Grout-eez Tile & Grout Cleaner at Amazon $22 Jump to Review Best Bathroom Cleaner for Mold and Mildew: Lysol Mold & Mildew Foamer With Bleach at Walmart $5 Jump to Review Best Bathroom Cleaner for Showers: Kaboom Shower, Tub & Tile Cleaner With OxiClean at Amazon $5 Jump to Review Best Bathroom Cleaner for Sinks: Scrubbing Bubbles Grime Fighter Spray at Amazon $19 Jump to Review Best Bathroom Cleaner for Toilets: Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner Gel at Amazon $4 Jump to Review Best Bathroom Cleaner for Mirrors: Windex Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner Spray at Walmart $5 Jump to Review Best Bathroom Cleaner Concentrate: Grove Co. Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate at Grove.co Jump to Review Best Multipurpose Bathroom Cleaner: CLR Brilliant Bath at Walmart $10 Jump to Review Best Overall Bathroom Cleaner OxiClean Foaming Bathroom Cleaner PHOTO: Amazon $5 at Walmart $9 at Home Depot View on Webstaurantstore.com What Stands Out It's versatile enough to be used on tubs, tile, sinks, toilets, chrome fixtures, and even vinyl shower curtains. What Could Be Improved The foam nozzle can be a bit messy. Getting your bathroom squeaky clean requires a powerful and effective cleaner like the OxiClean Foam-Tastic Bathroom Cleaner. Unlike other bathroom cleaners, you can see this one working before your eyes—the foam sprays on blue and turns white when it’s ready to be wiped away. The OxiClean stain-fighting bubbles power through stains, dirt, grime, soap scum, and hard water scale, leaving a deep clean and fresh citrus scent.Although some customers note that the foam nozzle can be a bit messy, most love this product for its versatility in use on tubs, tile, sinks, toilets, chrome fixtures, and even vinyl shower curtains. For best results, let the foam sit for a few minutes once it has changed colors and wipe or rinse away. Type: Foam | Size: 19 fluid ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Tubs, glazed ceramic tile, fiberglass, shower doors, vinyl curtains, sinks, countertops, chrome fixtures Best Eco-Friendly Bathroom Cleaner 9 Elements Bathroom Cleaner PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon $5 at Walmart What Stands Out It can cut through soap scum, hard water buildup, and grime without harsh ingredients, artificial preservatives, dyes, or bleach. What Could Be Improved The spray bottle has a tendency to leak if not stored upright. Our top eco-friendly choice is the 9 Elements Bathroom Cleaner for its natural formulation, EPA Safer Choice certification and A rating from the EWG. This cleaner features vinegar (along with eight other plant-based ingredients) and is safe to use on tile, ceramic, porcelain, chrome, glass, and more. We love that it comes in three scents made with essential oils—lemon, lavender, and eucalyptus. This natural cleaner can cut through soap scum, hard water buildup, and grime for a spotless bathroom without harsh ingredients, artificial preservatives, dyes, or bleach. For best results, spray the desired area, let sit for a minute, and rinse or wipe clean. Type: Spray | Size: 18 fluid ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Tile, ceramic, porcelain, glass, chrome, plastic, stainless steel, granite Best Bathroom Cleaner for Tile and Grout Clean-eez Grout-eez Tile & Grout Cleaner PHOTO: Amazon $22 at Amazon $22 at Walmart What Stands Out It can restore grout to its original color. What Could Be Improved It can’t be used on natural stone. To get your bathroom tile looking as good as the day it was installed, this professional-grade cleaner takes on ceramic and porcelain tile to get rid of stains and revive grout color. Just squirt some on tile (both walls and floors) and scrub. With a bit of elbow grease, you’ll see results in minutes. It’s odorless and fine to use on both white and colored grout. Just note that the manufacturer warns not to use this on natural stone surfaces. Type: Liquid | Size: 1 quart | Compatible Surfaces: Ceramic and porcelain tile and grout (do not use on natural stone) Best Bathroom Cleaner for Mold and Mildew Lysol Mold & Mildew Foamer With Bleach PHOTO: Target $5 at Walmart $5 at Target $8 at Walgreens What Stands Out It kills 99.9% of mold and mildew variants and can prevent their regrowth for up to a week. What Could Be Improved The formula does contain bleach. Since bathrooms are typically humid, they can be breeding grounds for mold and mildew. To combat this issue, opt for the Lysol Mold & Mildew Foamer With Bleach. This cleaner kills 99.9% of mold and mildew variants, disinfects non-porous surfaces, whitens and shines, and removes soap scum, limescale, and grime. When used as directed, it can also prevent mold and mildew regrowth for up to a week. To sanitize, wipe the desired area, spray, and let sit for 30 seconds before rinsing away. To remove the mold and mildew, let the product sit for five minutes before wiping or rinsing, and repeat weekly if necessary. Type: Foaming spray | Size: 32 fluid ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Showers, toilets, sinks, grout, glazed ceramic tile, and stainless steel Best Bathroom Cleaner for Showers Kaboom Shower, Tub & Tile Cleaner With OxiClean PHOTO: Amazon $5 at Amazon $5 at Walmart $9 at Home Depot What Stands Out It’s powered by oxygen, not bleach, to rid your bathroom of bacteria and viruses. What Could Be Improved The bleach-free formula won't kill mold. The best bathroom cleaners are the ones that do much of the work for you—that’s why the Kaboom OxiClean Bathroom Cleaner is our all-time-favorite shower cleaner. Spray this liberally on your shower, tub, and tiles (only hard, non-porous surfaces) and let it stand for 10 seconds, letting the bubbles go to work on soap scum before wiping it clean. Aside from cleaning dirt and grime, the powerful Oxiclean gets even deeper into the bad stuff lingering in your bathroom by killing 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including those that cause COVID-19. And because this wonder of a bathroom spray is powered by oxygen and not chlorine bleach, you can feel safe using this in your home on a regular basis to keep your bathroom sanitized and sparkling clean. Type: Spray | Size: 32 ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Hard, non-porous surfaces including showers, glass doors, glazed tile and porcelain, chrome, stainless steel, grout, and plastic laminate Best Bathroom Cleaner for Sinks Scrubbing Bubbles Grime Fighter Spray PHOTO: Amazon $19 at Amazon $6 at Home Depot $5 at Walgreens What Stands Out It easily powers through grime, soap scum, and hard water scales in bathroom sinks and other surfaces. What Could Be Improved The scent might be too strong for some people. Bathroom sinks accumulate several types of buildup and grime, like soap scum, toothpaste, and hard water scale. Our favorite cleaner to get a bathroom sink sparkling clean is Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Grime Fighter Bathroom Cleaner. This product removes grime and soap scum from several bathroom surfaces and kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria when used as directed. We also love the scent options: citrus, floral fusion, lavender, and rainshower. As the name suggests, the scrubbing bubbles do the work for you, which means you can wipe or rinse the product away after a couple of minutes. The manufacturer recommends spraying 6 to 8 inches from the desired area and letting the product sit for at least five minutes before wiping or rinsing. Type: Foam | Size: 32 fluid ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Tubs, shower walls, vinyl shower curtains, shower doors, sinks, and countertops Best Bathroom Cleaner for Toilets Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner Gel PHOTO: Amazon $4 at Amazon $6 at Walmart $4 at Walgreens What Stands Out The gel formula clings to the toilet, and the angled spout can reach under the rim. What Could Be Improved It's not the right option if you want a cleaner that dissolves and doesn't require scrubbing. Cleaning a toilet might not be the hardest task on your list, but getting bathroom cleaner to stick to the bowl could be. This Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, on the other hand, clings to the surface, making your job a whole lot easier. The bottle design itself clues you in—it’s got an angled spout that makes it easy to squirt product in places a spray bottle simply can’t reach. And because it’s got a thick gel formula, it will stay put for you to reach in with a toilet brush and start scrubbing. The bleach-free gel is powered by hydrogen peroxide and is powerful enough to eliminate 99.9% of the bacteria that’s stinking up the place. It also makes your toilet bowl sparkle by removing stains and rings around the bowl. Squirt it everywhere, including under the toilet rim, and scrub with a brush. In just minutes, the porcelain will look like new. Type: Gel | Size: 24 ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Toilets Best Bathroom Cleaner for Mirrors Windex Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner Spray PHOTO: Target $5 at Walmart $4 at Target View on Lowe's What Stands Out The ammonia-free cleaner produces a streak-free shine. What Could Be Improved The label is inside the bottle and can be difficult to read. Water spots, spit splatter, fingerprints, and condensation marks on a mirror can make a bathroom look dingy. To bring the sparkle and shine back to your bathroom mirror, we recommend Windex Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner Spray. The ammonia-free formula means no harsh fumes while leaving behind a streak-free shine and fresh, crystal rain fragrance. As a bonus, the bottle is made from 100% recycled ocean-bound plastic. For best results, spray on a mirror, glass, or window and wipe immediately with a dry paper towel or lint-free cloth. Type: Spray | Size: 26 fluid ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Mirror, glass, and windows Best Bathroom Cleaner Concentrate Grove Co. Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate PHOTO: Courtesy of Grove Co. View on Grove.co View on Target What Stands Out It's made with 89% plant-based ingredients and doesn't contain harsh chemicals. What Could Be Improved You may have to adjust the ratio of concentrate to water for the appropriate strength, particularly to dissolve grease. With concentrates, you can tailor the strength of your bathroom cleaner while reducing product waste. For those who prefer concentrated cleaners, we recommend Grove Co. Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate. This is our favorite multipurpose cleaner concentrate for bathrooms because it cuts grease and grime. When used in the shower, rinsing or wiping is not required. It is also made with 89% plant-based ingredients, including essential oils and plant extracts, and does not contain harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, phosphates, or chlorine bleach. Additionally, this concentrated cleaner is packaged in recyclable glass and 100% recycled paper. You can also receive a prepaid packaging label to send the concentrate and spray bottles to Grove Co. for them to recycle. While we love the lemon and eucalyptus scent for the bathroom, this concentrate also comes in a variety of great scents like orange and rosemary, a limited edition mulled apple, and in a free and clear scent-free formula for those with fragrance sensitivities. Type: Concentrate | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Compatible Surfaces: Non-porous surfaces like countertops, ceramic, porcelain, chrome, concrete, fiberglass, granite, quartz, and stainless steel Best Multipurpose Bathroom Cleaner CLR Brilliant Bath PHOTO: Home Depot $10 at Walmart $7 at Tractor Supply Co. $5 at Home Depot What Stands Out The multi-purpose bathroom cleaner is EPA Safer Choice-Certified and suitable for many types of surfaces. What Could Be Improved You will need to scrub with a brush for heavy-duty messes. Sometimes, having one cleaner for the entire bathroom is the most convenient option. To effectively cut through dirt, calcium, lime, hard water deposits, and soap scum on bathroom surfaces, we recommend the CLR Brilliant Bath Foaming Action Cleaner. This cleaner is EPA Safer Choice-certified, has a B rating from the EWG, and is safe to use on glass, porcelain, chrome, ceramic, white grout, and more, leaving your bathroom sparkling clean. As a bonus, CLR is women-owned and made in the U.S. CLR Brilliant Bath Foaming Action Cleaner is formulated without alcohol, phosphates, ammonia, or bleach and is septic-safe and biodegradable. For best results, spray 6 to 8 inches away, let sit for up to three minutes, wipe with a damp sponge or cloth, and rinse. For heavy-duty messes, use a scrubbing brush before rinsing. Type: Foaming spray | Size: 26 fluid ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Porcelain, ceramic tile, shower doors, sinks, bathtubs, white grout and caulk, toilet bowls, fiberglass, countertops Best Bathroom Cleaner for Shower Doors Rejuvenate Soap Scum Remover PHOTO: Amazon $9 at Amazon $9 at Lowe's $9 at Home Depot What Stands Out This no-scrub spray makes it easier to keep shower doors clean without much work. What Could Be Improved You'd need something stronger to tackle heavy-duty messes. For days when you just don’t have the time or inclination to scrub your shower, it helps to have a bottle of Rejuvenate on hand. The no-scrub spray formula has won numerous cleaning product awards for its ability to eliminate soap scum and other grime from glass shower surfaces to restore their sparkle. To unleash its power on your shower, just spray it on the walls, tub, door, and fixtures, then rinse to a streak-free shine. It’s ideal for use on glass showers, ceramic and porcelain tile, chrome, fiberglass, and even natural stone—though it’s always a good idea to read labels and do a spot test first. Type: Liquid | Size: 24 ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Glass, ceramic tile, fiberglass, natural stone, plastic, chrome, and porcelain Best Bathroom Cleaner for Drains Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver PHOTO: Amazon $25 at Amazon $25 at Walmart $14 at Home Depot What Stands Out It’s safe to use on all pipes and even with septic systems. What Could Be Improved It’s pricey, and you’ll use it up quickly based on the recommended dosage. If plunging your drain has given you buff arms, then it might be time to try something a little less labor-intensive. Pour a pre-measured dose of Green Gobbler down your clogged sink drain, and soon it will clear the way of any hair, soap scum, organic matter, or other nasty stuff that got stuck there. This product is safe to use on pipes, including PVC, ABS, copper, and cast iron. The bleach-free, fume-free formula is also safe on toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, and septic systems. It comes in a dual-chamber bottle loaded with two applications, so there’s no guesswork in how much you need to pour down for it to work its magic. Type: Liquid | Size: 31 ounces per 2-application bottle | Compatible Surfaces: Drains Best Bathroom Cleaner for Hard Water Stains Bio-Clean Hard Water Stain Remover PHOTO: Amazon $15 at Amazon $20 at Home Depot View on Bio-cleanproducts.com What Stands Out It keeps surfaces sealed and clean for up to three months. What Could Be Improved You have to scrub a bit for best results. Removing hard water stains doesn’t have to be all that hard when you have this professional-grade cream cleaner. Don’t let the pleasant mint scent fool you—it’s strong enough to wipe out stains, spots, mildew, mold, and even rust. Actually, the list goes on and on for what it can clean up in your bathroom—even hair dye stains. All you have to do is spread the Bioclean Hard Water Stain Remover on the offending surface and wipe it with a cloth or sponge, though you get better results with a little scrubbing. It cleans and seals surfaces for up to three months. Aside from cleaning glass showers and other bathroom surfaces, you can also use it for a variety of indoor and outdoor surfaces, including glass stove tops, stone and concrete yard decor, pools, and more. Type: Cream | Size: 20.3 ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Glass shower doors, windows, tubs, and shower pans Best Bathroom Cleaner for Jetted Tubs Oh Yuk Jetted Tub Cleaner PHOTO: Amazon $19 at Amazon What Stands Out You can clean the tub in the time it takes you to get ready for your soak. What Could Be Improved The bottle is pricey for just four uses. Scrubbing a regular bathroom is enough of a chore, but if you’ve been avoiding a dunk in your jetted tub so you don’t have to scrub out those jets, Oh Yuk saves the day. This powerful liquid cleaner is the easiest way to keep jetted tubs clean and sanitized. All you have to do is run the water, pour in the cleaner (there are four doses per bottle), and run your jets for 15 minutes. The cleaner works deep into the jets to clean bacteria. Once the time is up, drain the tub and wipe it down with a cloth and cleaner spray, and you’re ready for bathtime. Oh Yuk is septic-safe and appropriate for use with all jetted tubs, including outdoor hot tubs and whirlpools. Type: Liquid | Size: 16 ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Jetted bathtubs, outdoor hot tubs; septic safe Best Bathroom Cleaner Brush Set Holikme Deep Cleaning Brush Set PHOTO: Amazon $10 at Amazon What Stands Out It offers a good variety of brushes with ergonomic handles. What Could Be Improved You might not need every brush in this set. Even the best bathroom cleaners need a little help sometimes. When elbow grease is in order, this set of seven brushes from Holikme are the tools you need to scrub and scour your way to clean bathroom tile. This budget-friendly set features two scrub brushes with comfortable, ergonomic handles, along with three groove gap brushes, a tile lines brush, and a scouring pad with a plastic grip. The brushes range in size, so you can find the one you need to take on anything from entire shower walls and tubs to narrow grout lines and gaps. Pair with your favorite surface-appropriate cleanser and your bathroom will be looking good as new. Type: Brush | Size: 7 brushes | Compatible Surfaces: Windows, floors, showers, bathtubs, tiles, stove, sink, or pool Best Bathroom Cleaner Wipes Clorox Disinfecting Wipes PHOTO: Amazon $13 at Amazon $11 at Walmart $13 at Target What Stands Out They’re bleach-free yet kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. What Could Be Improved They’re single-use. There are quite a few easy-to-use bathroom cleaners on our list, but none is more simple or convenient than keeping a container of these Clorox disinfecting wipes at the ready. Just pull one out, wipe down surfaces, and let dry. With each swipe, these bleach-free disposable wipes kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19. They also work to remove odors and eliminate dirt and grime. These Clorox wipes come in two pleasant scents, Fresh and Lemon. Aside from sanitizing bathroom vanities and toilets, these wipes are safe for other non-porous, high-touch surfaces in the home, including kitchen counters and stovetops, faucets and sinks, door knobs, and more. Type: Wipes | Size: 35 count | Compatible Surfaces: Multiple surfaces in the kitchen, bath, and bedroom Final Verdict Our top pick is the OxiClean Foam-Tastic Bathroom Cleaner for its effective, versatile cleaning power and color-changing action to show when a surface is clean and ready to be wiped. For a cleaner with natural, plant-based ingredients, we recommend 9 Elements Bathroom Cleaner. How to Shop for Bathroom Cleaners Like a Pro Type Like most household cleaning products, bathroom cleaners come in various forms, including spray, foam, gel, and concentrate. To choose the right one, consider how often you need to clean and compatibility on certain surfaces. Sprays and Liquids: These products are best for cleaning large surface areas, as they can be applied more liberally in one go. Be sure to read directions carefully for proper use; some products allow you to spray it and forget it, while others require a bit of wiping and/or rinsing. Kilgour says a multipurpose spray is indeed great for multiple cleaning purposes, so keep your favorite on hand with a rag or microfiber cloth. Foam: These products usually come in a spray bottle or aerosol can. The power is in the foam, which is actively working to remove grime as it bubbles. It’s great because it’s easy to see your coverage area, but you might have some trial and error at first with how foamy the stuff gets. Your best bet is to start off in a small spot first to test the foam’s thickness. Gel: Gel formulations cling to the surface you apply them to, making them ideal for areas that need a deep clean, like shower walls, toilet bowls, or the bathroom sink. Kilgour prefers a thicker foam or gel for the shower and toilet, where it’s important for the cleaner to cling a bit—and do some of the dirty work for you—before you start scrubbing. “[Foam or gel] tends to break up that particular grime better than simply wiping away dust,” Kilgour says.. Concentrate: When you need powerful, deep-cleaning action for areas, concentrates are up for the task. While they are indeed effective, they are very strong and often chemical-based. You’ll likely have to dilute them, so read all instructions carefully. Be sure to ventilate your bathroom and put on any protective gear like gloves, mask, or goggles to avoid irritation. Compatible Surfaces Bathroom cleaners are often formulated to clean specific surfaces like shower tile, porcelain toilets, and chrome fixtures. While products are formulated for one or two surfaces, multipurpose cleaners can be used on nearly every surface in your bathroom. “Multipurpose cleaners are in fact designed to be versatile and used on various surfaces, but it's smart to still practice caution and test compatibility to avoid potential damage,” Kilgour says. Your best bet is always to read the label carefully to confirm what surfaces it can and can’t be used on. Even then, she recommends doing a spot test and checking for any discoloration or damage. “If the surface appears unaffected, you're good to go,” Kilgour says. Kilgour adds that some more delicate surfaces like marble, certain types of wood, and electronics can be sensitive to the harsher chemicals found in bathroom cleaners, so read those labels before spraying. It’s worth noting that multipurpose cleaners are good for quick cleanups, especially if you’ve been on a regular cleaning schedule for your bathroom. But if you’ve been a bit remiss with cleaning your shower doors or tiles, then it’s best to grab a bottle of the stuff that’s specifically designed for deeper cleaning power for that particular surface. Ingredients Harsh chemicals are common in bathroom cleaners, so Brown recommends checking the ingredients list before buying and deciding which ingredients are best for your desired level of cleanliness. Certain harsh chemicals can cause irritation if used incorrectly, so it’s important to follow the instructions carefully (never mix cleaning products!), ensure the space has proper ventilation, and use a mask and gloves if necessary. "The key with choosing bathroom cleaners is to use the right chemical for the type of soil you are trying to remove,” Brown says. “Heavy-duty cleaning products like straight bleach or ammonia can be used sparingly and are not necessary for everyday use.” Some of the more common ingredients found in bathroom cleaners can be gentle and natural while others are stronger chemicals. Whatever you choose to use, but especially if you are using chemical-based products, be sure to ventilate your bathroom and use any protective equipment like masks, gloves, or goggles before getting to work. Bleach: A powerful disinfectant that is too strong for some surfaces—and humans—to handle, which is why you’ll often see products declaring that they are bleach-free. Still, it may be necessary to use bleach for heavy-duty cleaning; if you do, be sure to ventilate the room and wear protective gear to avoid any irritation. Ammonia: A concentrate that must be mixed with water, ammonia easily takes on dirt and grime, which is why some like to use it for cleaning floors. It’s toxic if inhaled, so take proper precautions when using it to clean. Hydrogen peroxide: The same stuff that can disinfect a cut can also disinfect your bathroom. You might find it in some store-bought cleaners, but you can also make your own: Combine it 1 to 1 with water in a spray bottle—choose an opaque bottle to protect it from sunlight, which lessens its potency—and spray on tile, fixtures, and more. Vinegar: This pantry staple works as a natural disinfectant. Add it to water with a few drops of dish soap, and you can even clean your tub or shower with it. However, vinegar is stronger despite it being natural, so keep it away from delicate surfaces and natural stone like granite or marble. Citric acid: Don’t let the “acid” part scare you. It’s a milder organic type of acid that’s used for descaling. If you have bathroom cleaners for cleaning hard water stains and mineral deposits, you’ll likely see citric acid among the ingredients. When looking for eco-friendly ingredients in cleaning products, Brown suggests referencing the Safer Choice Products list by the EPA. Checking for A and B ratings from the EWG can also be a helpful guide in learning about eco-friendly ingredients. Questions You Might Ask How often should each part of your bathroom be cleaned? Cleaning the bathroom daily can make deep cleanings more infrequent and less exhausting. Small tasks like regularly wiping the mirror and spraying your shower with a daily shower cleaner are simple ways to keep your bathroom tidy and sanitized. For more thorough cleanings, Brown suggests a bathroom cleaning checklist.“Simple habits will keep your bathroom from heavy buildup while also making weekly cleaning like dusting, scouring, vacuuming, and mopping an easier task,” she says.Brown recommends the following bathroom cleaning tips: “After showering, squeegee the walls and floor to remove standing water that can cause mold and mildew; use a toilet brush each morning for ten seconds to clean the bowl and under the rim; rinse the basin of the sink after each use; take the trash out of the bathroom a few times a week and more often if needed.” What’s the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting? According to the EPA, cleaning involves removing organic matter (such as dirt) from surfaces using a soap or detergent; sanitizing means killing bacteria but not viruses; and disinfecting kills both viruses and bacteria. “While many all-purpose cleaners on the market can clean, sanitize, and disinfect, fully disinfecting is often a two-step process,” Brown says. “Clean first and then reapply the cleaner to allow the disinfectant the proper dwell time.” Can you use bathroom cleaners in other rooms? While certain types of cleaners, like multipurpose concentrates, can be used on several surfaces throughout the home, it’s safer to use bathroom cleaners for their intended purpose. As a general rule of thumb, Brown advises against using a bathroom cleaner on other rooms or surfaces not stated on the label. You can also do a spot test on an inconspicuous area to ensure the surface is safe to clean. What are the most essential bathroom cleaning products? “When it comes to keeping up a regular schedule with bathroom cleaning, it's important to have the products you need, when you need them,” Kilgour says. Here is how she suggests stocking up your bathroom: A basic all-purpose cleaner: Use this on the counters, mirrors, shower, toilet, and even the walls. “I'm a big fan of getting an all purpose cleaner you really enjoy the scent of and keeping it easily accessible, because you'll be using it a lot,” Kilgour says. Disinfectant wipes: “I'm all about making cleaning as easy as possible, and wipes are a super convenient way to quickly clean up,” Kilgour says. Use them on various hard surfaces, including door knobs, light switches, and bathroom fixtures to fight germs and bacteria—especially if you share the bathroom with others. Toilet brush and cleaner: These two must-haves must be used often to keep odors and other bad stuff at bay. “Get yourself a toilet brush that you don't mind the look of, as it's easiest and most efficient to just keep it next to the toilet,” Kilgour says. Shower/bath cleaning spray and a scrub brush: Like with cleaning the toilet, Kilgour says keep these easily accessible so you can use them more often but also more quickly, as opposed to the occasional but much longer scrub session. “Get a scrub brush that feels comfortable in your hand and a shower spray that will help get rid of the build up and grime,” she says. Take Our Word for It This article was written by L. Daniela Alvarez, contributing writer for Real Simple with nearly three years of experience writing about lifestyle content and product reviews, and updated by Barbara Bellesi Zito, a freelance home and lifestyle writer from Staten Island, N.Y. To compile this list, we spent hours researching bathroom cleaners and considering factors such as type, ingredients, and compatible surfaces. We also received tips on how to shop for bathroom cleaners from Angela Brown, CEO and founder of Savvy Cleaner and host of the daily show Ask a House Cleaner, and Leslie Kilgour, professional organizer, home hack expert, and founder of Get It Straight on Long Island.