A bathroom clean doesn't need to take an hour. With the right order and the right tools, a full bathroom — toilet, sink, shower or tub, mirror, floor — takes about 20 minutes. The key is working efficiently and letting products do most of the work while you tackle something else. Here's the method our cleaners use on every job.
What You'll Need
- All-purpose bathroom spray (or disinfectant spray)
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Microfibre cloths (at least 2–3)
- A toilet brush
- A mop or floor scrubber for tile
- Optional: a scrub brush for grout
The 20-Minute Bathroom Cleaning Method
Minutes 0–2: Apply products, let them sit
Before touching anything, apply your cleaning products so they can dwell. This is the step most people skip — and why they scrub harder than necessary.
- Squirt toilet bowl cleaner under the rim and let it sit
- Spray the inside of the shower or tub with all-purpose spray
- Spray the sink and countertop
Now walk away for 2–3 minutes. While products dwell, your job becomes wiping rather than scrubbing.
Minutes 2–8: Shower and tub
By now, your shower spray has had time to loosen soap scum and mineral deposits. Wipe the walls, shelf, and fixtures with a microfibre cloth — no need to scrub hard if you used a good product and gave it time. Rinse or wipe clean. For stubborn soap scum at the waterline, a non-scratch scrubber works. Rinse the tub or shower floor last.
Minutes 8–12: Sink and vanity
Wipe the sink basin, faucet, handles, and drain cover. Use a dry portion of the cloth to buff the faucet — this removes water spots without extra product. Wipe the countertop and any items on it. Rinse your cloth.
Minutes 12–15: Toilet
The product has been sitting for 10+ minutes — the bowl should come clean quickly. Scrub under the rim and around the bowl. Flush. Use a fresh cloth (or a dedicated toilet cloth) to wipe the exterior — lid, seat, hinges, tank, and base. Work top to bottom. The base and floor around the toilet are often missed and collect the most grime.
Minutes 15–17: Mirror and glass
Spray glass cleaner on the mirror and buff with a dry microfibre. Work in a circular motion then straight strokes to avoid streaks. If you don't have glass cleaner, plain water on a microfibre cloth works better than many budget glass sprays.
Minutes 17–20: Floor
Sweep or vacuum first to remove hair and dust — mopping over hair just spreads it. Mop or scrub the floor, working from the far corner toward the door. For tile grout, a stiff brush with all-purpose spray works. Let the floor air dry before walking on it.
How Often Should You Clean a Bathroom in a GTA Home?
- Full clean (above method): weekly for a heavily used bathroom, bi-weekly for a guest bathroom
- Quick wipe-down (sink, toilet, mirror): every 2–3 days
- Grout and deep scrub: monthly
If your bathroom hasn't had a thorough clean in several months, start with a professional deep clean to reset the baseline — then maintain with weekly or bi-weekly cleaning. Maidless offers deep cleaning in Toronto and across the GTA with flat-rate pricing. Book online in 60 seconds.