From sprays to gels to wipes, there are numerous bathroom cleaners on the market, each with a different purpose. When shopping for a bathroom cleaner, you’ll want to consider the type, scent, and ingredients. This way, you know what you will use the cleaner for, and if you need to vent the area or take any other precautions due to the scent or ingredients. When using anything that has bleach in its ingredient list, for example, you’ll want to ensure you’re venting the area by cracking open a window or running a fan. You’ll also want to wear protective eyewear and gloves to keep it from making contact with your skin and eyes, and never mix the cleaner with another as it can be extremely hazardous. With safety precautions and your potential cleaning purpose in mind, though, you can leave your bathroom sparkling on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. One of our favorite picks for a bathroom cleaner, the Mr. Clean Clean Freak Deep Cleaning Mist, works for most surfaces and is easy to apply. Plus, it has a nice, light scent that will complement your sparkling bathroom. Here are the best bathroom cleaners. The nozzle is unique and has three different spray modes: small burst, medium burst, and continuous. An any-angle sprayer also sets this option apart from others like it on shelves and online. You can turn it upside-down, spray sideways, or anything in between to get to hard-to-reach places. This makes it especially great to clean toilets. Just keep in mind that the formula is not a disinfectant, so it won’t kill germs. This is also an eco-friendly choice that creates less waste than other products. Mr. Clean offers refills that allow you to reuse the same nozzle over and over again. Simply connect the new solution package to the nozzle, then start spraying. We like the lavender scent for the bathroom, but lemon zest and a Gain laundry scent are also available. Price at time of publish: $21 However, keep in mind that this cleaner is only to maintain your bathroom. You will still need to thoroughly deep clean your shower before using it to get the best results—making sure to rinse with water and leave ample time in between cleaning sessions, so you don’t mix cleaners in a hazardous way. Once the walls and shower door are clean, this spray forms a waterproof barrier on the surface. It can make the bottom of your shower slippery, so the brand recommends running your water before entering or using a non-slip mat. As a plus, this cleaner is very affordable, so it’s easy to stock up on if you plan to use it regularly. Price at time of publish: $15 For more stubborn areas that haven’t been cleaned often, it may take scrubbing to get them really clean. The cleaner works on glazed ceramic tile, stainless steel, chrome fixtures, fiberglass, vinyl, glazed porcelain, glass, laminate, granite, and quartz surfaces, and so it’s notably very versatile. According to the brand’s website, this product can kill up to 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria, as well. And, if you use it often enough, all you will need is a quick rinse to get any soap scum off. It has a rainshower scent that shouldn’t linger, too, especially if you have a particularly large bathroom. Still, it’s always best to use this cleaner, and others, while ventilating your area. Ringing in at a budget-friendly price, this bathtub cleaner is ultimately a super inexpensive and effective option, that’s usually readily available on store shelves and online. Price at time of publish: $10 This toilet cleaner does contain bleach, so make sure you ventilate your bathroom when using it, take all of the necessary safety precautions, and store it out of reach of children and pets. The actual application of is easy enough, though, as the gel makes it easier to direct than a spray. For the most sparkling toilet, scrub with a toilet brush after applying the Clorox cleaner. Let it sit for a few minutes, scrub once more, and flush to see a clean, white toilet bowl. The cleaner comes in two scents—ocean mist or crisp lemon—to help fight odors. Price at time of publish: $5 Green Gobbler cleaner is also safe for septic systems. The formula doesn’t contain bleach or sodium hydroxide, and also doesn’t have strong fumes. For really stubborn clogs, you may need to use a plunger in addition to this cleaner. It is a good option to try before resorting to physically removing the clog, or calling a plumber. Price at time of publish: $13 You’ll need to scrub to get the best results. It can be helpful to let the liquid formula sit on your tile and grout for a few minutes before beginning to scrub. Grout-Eez recommends waiting 24 hours to really see the impact it can have on your grout. Our tester said the soak time of five minutes was super short, and the concentrated formula was really effective: “Because there is a substantial amount of surface area in our shower, we can’t say that our arms didn’t fatigue with scrubbing, but after just one pass, all of the rust-colored stains were easily lifted and the tiles looked almost like they did when we first moved in.” They also stressed the importance of the safety precautions outlined on the label, and cracking open a window while you clean, since the odor is relatively strong. “As stated on the back of the bottle, you should be wearing protective eye gear as well as rubber gloves when you use this product,” they said. “Grout-Eez contains urea monohydrochloride and nonylphenol ethoxylates.” These are powerful, commercial-level ingredients that make quick work of messes, but could also cause damage if not handled properly. Follow the instructions and you will be good to go, though. All in all, while it is more expensive and not as readily available as some of the other options on this list, Grout-Eez does come in a generous, 32-ounce bottle that should last a while and make your tile sparkle. Price at time of publish: $22 Unfortunately, these wipes aren’t the most eco-friendly option for cleaning the bathroom. They’re also more expensive per use compared to other products. We recommend using them occasionally, rather than as your go-to cleaning solution for larger messes, so you don’t run out of them all at once. They can last you quite a while, thanks to the resealable package that helps them stay fresh and moist. Price at time of publish: $30 Mrs. Meyer’s products are known for their botanical scents, and this multi-surface cleaner is no exception. The lemon verbena is particularly nice for bathrooms, but the cleaner also comes in other scents, including acorn spice, apple cider, and basil. Just keep in mind that this isn’t a bathroom-specific cleaner, and may be hard to spray on surfaces like toilet bowls or showers. It can work, but you will likely need to scrub to get really tough residue and stains out. This is also more expensive than other items on our list for its size. Price at time of publish: $14 Wipes and tablets are often specialized for a specific purpose, but may not be as great of a value per single wipe or tablet. If you want something that can do it all—and delivers more bang for the buck—look for an all-purpose spray that works at multiple angles, like our best overall pick.
Scent
Bathroom cleaners can be scented or unscented. Since they are used in a smaller, enclosed space, scented cleaners may be too overpowering, even if you normally don’t have a problem with scents. For those sensitive to smells, look for an unscented product or one made with essential oils. Either way, plan to ventilate your bathroom with a fan or open window when using the cleaner you pick—this is always a good practice.
Ingredients and Safety Precautions
Bathroom cleaners are comprised of many different ingredients, some stronger and more dangerous than others. One way to ensure you’re using safe ingredients is to see if the product is enrolled in the EPA’s Safer Choice Program, which vets products to ensure they’re safer for human health as well as the environment. It’s a good idea to keep all bathroom cleaners out of the reach of children and pets due to their cleaning ingredients, as well. Common ingredients in bathroom cleaners include bleach, ammonia, and other solvents that help to leave a sparkling—sometimes disinfected—surface. When you’re cleaning, always make sure to dilute the bleach with water and only water, and never mix it with any other cleaners, especially those with ammonia, since it can create a poisonous gas. Even when using clean, eco-friendly products, it’s important to read the ingredient list on the label, and all warnings from the manufacturer. Some manufacturers also recommend ventilating the area or wearing protective gloves and eyewear when using their product, to protect your skin and eyes in the process of cleaning.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. A mother of three young children, Katie spends too much time cleaning spaces in her home. When compiling this list, she looked for products that were effective and easy to use, even for busy parents. She also talked to Maryland-based cleaning expert Arryn Wilmington to get tips and tricks to make the most of your cleaning time. Start at the top with light fixtures, shower fixtures, and mirrors. Work your way down to countertops, sinks, and toilets. Finally, scrub and clean the floor, shower, or tub. You can use an all-purpose cleaner for all surfaces or specific-use cleaners, such as a toilet bowl or shower cleaner, for their respective areas. It is a good idea to use specific products for the messiest areas.
