What Cleaning Experts Actually Use to Get Their Bathrooms Sparkling Clean

Your bathroom may be one of the smaller rooms in your home, but that doesn't make it any easier to clean. It requires tackling a wide variety of surfaces and buildup, including mold, mildew, hard water spots, mineral deposits, and soap scum.

But natural cleaners made from common household products, like vinegar, baking soda, water, and dish soap, offer easy solutions for removing everything from rust around your faucet to soap scum on the shower door. To give you insight into the best natural cleaners, we consulted the experts who shared the ingredients they actually use to make their bathrooms shine.

All-Purpose Bathroom Cleaner

Combine these household staples into an effective, all-purpose cleaner that works on porcelain, countertops, sinks, and other surfaces. In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of baking soda, 1/2 cup of dish soap, 1 cup of water, and 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and shake well to combine.

"This mix cuts through toothpaste splatter, soap scum, and everyday grime without being rough on your bathroom surfaces," says Kathy Cohoon, director of operations at Two Maids. "Spray on your counters or sink, give it a quick wipe, and dry with a clean cloth. It’s gentle but powerful and leaves everything looking shiny and clean."

Mirror and Glass Cleaner

Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company, uses 3 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar mixed in a spray bottle to clean mirrors and glass shower doors. "Spray the cleaning solution onto the glass surface and wipe with a microfiber cloth for a streak-free finish," she says. If your glass is especially grimy, she recommends adding a 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap to the mixture.

Faucet and Shower Head Cleaner

White vinegar can erase hard water stains and mineral deposits that build up on chrome and stainless steel sink faucets and shower heads. Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and secure it around the fixture with a rubber band. Let it soak for one to two hours, but no more than 30 minutes for gold, brass, or nickel-coated fixtures, says Mock.

"After you remove the bag from the shower head, run hot water through the shower head to rinse the mineral deposits away," says Mock. "Scrub the fixture with a toothbrush if any grime remains, then run hot water again. Finally, wipe any water spots off with a microfiber cloth for a shiny finish."

Mold and Mildew Spray

Baking soda is a natural cleaning powerhouse that attacks mold, mildew, and soap scum on tile, tubs, and showers. "Bathrooms stay damp, so mold and soap scum are constant battles," says Cohoon. Make your own mold and mildew spray by mixing 1 tablespoon of baking soda with water in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture to tubs, tile, and walls, then scrub and rinse clean. "Spray once more and let it air dry to help prevent future growth," says Cohoon.

Floor Cleaner

To clean bathroom floors, Cohoon recommends filling a bucket with warm water, a 1/2 cup of baking soda, and a few drops of lemon juice or essential oils for a pleasant scent. Scrub the floors with a soft-bristled brush or mop them clean to remove any dirt and grime.

Grout Cleaner

To make your grout shine like new, create a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the grout, and use an old toothbrush to scrub it clean, then rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly. "These simple mixes work wonders for keeping floors sparkling without harsh chemicals," says Cohoon.

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Toilet Bowl Cleaner

To remove hard water stains and limescale in a toilet bowl, pour 3/4 cup of borax and 1 cup of white vinegar into the bowl, says Mock. "Let it sit for several hours or overnight to break down stains and buildup, making sure not to flush the toilet during this time. After a few hours, scrub the bowl with a toilet brush and flush to rinse away the cleaner and grime," she says.

If you don't have borax handy, Cohoon suggests a mix of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and a 1/2 cup of vinegar to keep your toilet bowl sparkling. "Pour it in, and let it sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing clean," she says.

Glass Shower Door Cleaner

Clean soap scum from glass shower doors with a homemade spray made from equal parts distilled white vinegar and dish soap, says Thomas Patterson, director of new product development and technical training at Glass Doctor, a Neighborly company. "Generously spray the solution onto the glass surface, letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to break down soap scum and hard water stains," he says.

"Gently scrub the surface with a non-scratch sponge or foam cleaning pad; do not use abrasive tools like bristle brushes as they can scratch the glass." After cleaning, rinse with warm water and dry with a microfiber cloth or squeegee for a streak-free finish.  

Stubborn Hard Water Stain Remover

For heavier deposits on glass shower doors, Patterson dips paper towels into a pan of hot vinegar and drapes them onto the glass, covering the entire area. "Let the paper towels sit for 30 to 60 minutes, keeping them slightly damp by occasionally spraying them with more vinegar," he says. After removing the paper towels, "Generously sprinkle a damp non-abrasive sponge with baking soda, and gently scrub the door. Rinse the door with warm water. If any soap scum or hard water deposits remain, repeat the baking soda process until all the buildup has been dissolved."

Scented Scrubber

Fresh citrus may not be the first natural cleaning product you think of, but when paired with salt, it's an aromatic, effective way to remove rust, soap scum, and mineral buildup. Cut a lemon or grapefruit in half and sprinkle salt onto the exposed fruit, then use it as a makeshift scrubber to tackle grimy shower doors. "Be careful not to scrub too hard as the abrasiveness of the salt could scratch the glass," says Patterson. "For additional shine, add lemon juice to the shower doors after cleaning to keep them spotless for longer."

Put the other half of your cut lemon to use by using it to remove hard water spots on glass and mirrors, says Cohoon. "Combine equal parts lukewarm water and white vinegar, apply the mix to the stains and rub with half a lemon, and let it sit for up to 10 minutes," she says. "Wipe the glass in small circles with a soft cloth, then clean as usual."