How To Deep Clean Your Bathroom Naturally With 4 Simple Ingredients

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Learn how to deep clean your bathroom with only four natural ingredients! These simple, effective ingredients, you can tackle grime, soap scum, and odours while keeping your home fresh and toxin-free. Clean spots you wouldn’t think of and create multi-purpose cleaning products!

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Working as a cleaner for the past six months introduced me to the world of cleaning and the overwhelming use of harsh cleaning products. At first, I thought I needed those strong chemical cleaners to tackle hard water stains, eliminate bacteria buildup, scrub toilets, and polish fixtures. But I quickly realized—that’s not the case!

I honestly find cleaning the bathroom to be the most satisfying part of house cleaning. There’s something incredibly rewarding about watching fixtures shine, a white toilet and bathtub brighten, and mirrors become crystal clear. No other space in the house delivers quite the same dramatic transformation—from scummy to sparkling, it’s a space where you can see the results of your effort instantly.

Why Use Natural Cleaners to Deep Clean Your Bathroom?

Using conventional cleaning products exposes you and your family to harsh chemicals that can trigger respiratory issues, skin irritation, and headaches. Many contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which lower indoor air quality and contribute to allergies and asthma.

Switching to natural, single-ingredient, multi-purpose cleaners is a healthier, more affordable, and eco-friendly choice. Natural cleaners are just as effective when used correctly—there’s no need for the single-purpose, chemical-laden products that marketing convinces you to buy. With the right ingredients, you can clean your home safely and efficiently, without the unnecessary toxins.

Are Natural Cleaning Products Low-Cost?

Yes and no. Pre-made natural cleaning products from the store can be just as expensive—if not more—than conventional cleaners. But making your own with simple, low-cost ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and Castile soap stretches your money much further.

For example, a DIY all-purpose cleaner made with a 1:1 mix of vinegar and water plus a few drops of essential oil costs just $5–$10 per year.

In contrast, a store-bought natural cleaner costs $6–$12 per bottle, adding up to $36–$120 per year if you go through 6–10 bottles annually.

A conventional cleaner runs $5–$8 per bottle, totalling $30–$80 per year.

Switching to DIY can save you up to 20x the cost while keeping your home free from harsh chemicals. With just a few key ingredients, you can make dozens of effective, non-toxic cleaners for pennies per use, rather than spending $6–$15 per product at the store.

While store-bought “natural” cleaners can be pricey and conventional can be toxic, DIY is a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative that saves money and health in the long run.

My Natural Bathroom Deep Cleaning Routine

I like to start with tasks that need time to soak or dry, so everything is working efficiently while I clean the rest of the bathroom.

First, I remove the bathroom vent, clean it, and let it air dry. This way, it’s fully dry by the time I’m done.

Next, I focus on the shower curtain. I clean it right in the bathtub, which keeps the process contained and mess-free. If I have a fabric curtain, I can throw it in the laundry right away while I continue cleaning.

Then, I soak the hard-water-stained fixtures, letting the vinegar do its job while I move on to other areas.

While those are soaking, I tackle quick, surface cleaning tasks all at once—like the toilet, mirror, and sink.

Once those are done, I return to the shower curtain, finish polishing the fixtures, and finally, deep clean the bathtub and shower to finish off the space.

This routine keeps things efficient, organized, and prevents wasted time while waiting for things to soak or dry. After doing a deep clean a couple times, you’ll find your rhythm and what works best for your bathroom space.

What You Need To Deep Clean Your Bathroom Naturally

Cleaning Vinegar (or white vinegar)

Baking Soda

Lemon Essential Oil

Castile Soap

Spray Bottle

Cleaning Rag

Polishing Cloth

Scrubby

Deep Cleaning Your Bathroom Naturally: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Cleaning Bathroom Vents (Dust & Mold Removal)

Your bathroom vent collects dust, moisture, and mold over time, affecting air quality. Regular cleaning keeps it functioning properly and looking good.

How to Clean the Vent:

1. Remove the vent cover and wash it with warm water and vinegar to dissolve grime.
2. Spray inside the vent with a vinegar-water solution to kill bacteria and prevent mold growth.
3. Let it air dry completely before reinstalling to avoid trapping moisture.

2. Shower Curtain & Liner (Mold & Mildew Removal)

Your shower curtain and liner can trap soap scum, mildew, and bacteria. Regular cleaning keeps them fresh, clear and odour-free.

For Plastic Curtains:

1. Remove and soak in the tub with just enough warm water to cover affected areas and around 1-2 cups of vinegar for 15 minutes.
2. Drain the tub.
3. Sprinkle baking soda on affected areas, scrub gently, and rinse well.
4. Hang back up to dry.

For Fabric Curtains:

1. Wash in the washing machine with homemade laundry detergent or store-bought.
2. Dry according to fabric instructions and rehang.

3. Fixture Deep Clean (Polishing & Removing Build-Up)

Faucets and shower-heads collect hard water stains, soap scum, and bacteria. Here’s how to keep them shining:

For Hard Water Stains & Soap Scum on Faucets:

1. Wrap a paper towel or cloth in vinegar around your faucets and spray with vinegar until wet. Let soak for 20-30 minutes.
2. Scrub with a baking soda paste (baking soda + a little water), then rinse and dry.

Polish Faucets for Shine:

• Buff with a drop of lemon essential oil for shine and added antibacterial benefits.

Shower-head Descaling:

1. Fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie it around the shower-head.
2. Let it soak for 1 hour, remove, rinse, and wipe clean.

4. Toilet Cleaning (Natural Disinfectant & Stain Removal)

The toilet can harbour bacteria, stains, and odours. This natural method keeps it fresh and disinfected.

Let’s skip the visuals on this one—seeing your own toilet transform will be proof enough of how well this method works!

Deep Clean & Deodorize:

1. Sprinkle baking soda inside the toilet bowl.
2. Spray vinegar on top—let the fizzing reaction break down stains.
3. Scrub with a toilet brush and let sit for 5–10 minutes while cleaning the rest of the toilet.
4. Wipe down the tank, lid, seat, and base with vinegar spray and toilet paper.
5. Flush the toilet to finish.

5. Natural Glass & Mirror Cleaner (Streak-Free Shine)

Skip the chemical-filled glass cleaners! This DIY mix leaves your mirrors and glass streak-free and crystal clear.

Glass and mirror spots are tricky to photograph, but you already know what streak-free shine looks like!

DIY Mirror Cleaner Recipe:

• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 5 drops lemon essential oil

How to Clean Mirrors & Glass:

1. Spray onto mirrors or glass surfaces. Spread with a cloth.
2. Wipe dry with a microfibre cloth or newspaper for a streak-free shine.

6. Sink Cleaning (Dissolving Grime & Soap Scum)

Sinks collect toothpaste, soap residue, and bacteria. Regular cleaning keeps them fresh.

How to Clean the Sink:

1. Sprinkle baking soda all over the sink.
2. Spray vinegar on top and let fizz for a minute.
3. Scrub with a sponge or brush, then rinse clean.

7. Bath Tub & Shower (Soap Scum & Grime Removal)

Your tub and shower trap soap scum, hard water stains, and bacteria—here’s how to deep clean them naturally.

Spray the Surface

• Mix 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup warm water, and 1 tbsp Castile soap in a spray bottle.
• Spray generously over the entire tub and shower walls and let sit for 5–10 minutes to loosen grime.

Scrub the Grime Away

• Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge or scrubby.
• Scrub the tub and shower walls, paying extra attention to corners and high-buildup areas.

Rinse & Dry

• Turn on the water and use a wet cloth to rinse and remove baking soda.
• Wipe dry and polish to make it extra clean or leave to air dry.

Daily Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Bathroom Fresh

A deep clean isn’t necessary every day, but a few small daily habits will keep your bathroom fresh, clean, and low-maintenance between deep cleans.

Wipe Down Surfaces

• After using the sink, a quick wipe prevents soap scum and toothpaste buildup.

Spray and Scrub the Shower & Tub

• Mist the shower and tub with a vinegar-water spray after each use to prevent soap scum.
• Keep the shower curtain extended flat instead of bunched up to prevent mold growth.
• Keep a Scrub Brush in the Shower: A quick scrub while showering helps prevent buildup and reduces the need for deep cleaning.

Keep the Toilet Fresh

• Add a splash of vinegar in the bowl daily to prevent stains.
• Wipe up dust, drips, or splashes with toilet paper as you see them.

Hang Towels & Bath Mats Properly

• Always hang towels and bath mats fully open to allow them to dry and prevent mildew.

Run the Bathroom Fan

• Turn on the vent fan during and after showers to reduce humidity and prevent mold growth.

Notes

Adjusting Amounts as Needed

Use your discretion when deciding how much of a product to use when cleaning. When I say “sprinkle baking soda,” I mean a light dusting—just enough to cover the surface.

If your sink or tub needs more, add a little at a time rather than overdoing it. It’s always better to start with less and add more as needed than to waste ingredients unnecessarily.

Since measurements depend on how dirty something is, it’s your judgment that matters—not mine!

Surfaces to Avoid Using Vinegar On

Vinegar is acidic and can damage certain materials by causing etching, stripping finishes, or dulling surfaces.

• Egg Stains & Spills
• Natural Stone (Marble, Granite, Quartz)
• Waxed Wood Floors & Furniture
• Cast Iron & Aluminum Cookware

Surfaces to Avoid Using Baking Soda On

Baking soda is abrasive and alkaline, which can cause scratching, discolouration, or dullness on certain materials.

• Glass & Mirrors
• Aluminum Surfaces
• Marble, Granite & Quartz Countertops
• Wood Furniture & Floors (Unsealed or Waxed)
• Gold-Plated or Brass Fixtures
• Leather
• Electronics & Screens

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