Let me tell you something I’ve learned after doing bathroom renovations for years, working in all sorts of homes. Bathroom cleaning isn’t always about how tidy you are. Sometimes, it’s the way the bathroom was built in the first place that makes everything harder. And most people don’t realise this until it’s too late.

I’ve met families where one person does all the scrubbing, and others where everyone gets involved. I’ve worked in flats, big houses, and busy family homes with teenagers who treat the bathroom like a bus stop. And what I’ve noticed is that a lot of cleaning stress could be avoided with some smarter choices from the start.

So if you feel like you’re always fighting soap scum, hair, or just mess in general, you might just need to look at your bathroom a little differently. Keep on reading!

1. Smarter Tile Choices for Easier Cleaning

A lot of people don’t realise how awful grout really is. I once had a client who picked penny tiles for their shower floor. Two years later, they rang me up asking how much to rip it out.

Smaller tiles mean more grout lines. And more grout means more scrubbing. It’s a universal truth we all need to accept. One couple I worked with had little hex tiles in their wet room. They loved the look at first but regretted it by the end of the year. They told me they spent more time on their hands and knees with a brush than enjoying the bathroom.

Most families I work with prefer big tiles. Fewer lines naturally results in less scrubbing. Some go for large wall tiles all the way to the ceiling, especially around the toilet and shower areas. This works wonders in homes with kids or teens who tend to splash everywhere. One mum even told me she tiled the wall behind the toilet just because her boys “miss the mark”.

Another family combined big matte tiles on the floor with smooth gloss tiles on the walls. They said the gloss was easier to wipe clean, and the matte finish helped hide dust and water marks.

If the budget allows, solid wall panel surfaces like Corian are becoming popular too. There are no joints, just wipe and go. I’ve had clients ask me about stone shower bases too. One actually called it the best decision they made for low maintenance.

2. Keep It Off the Floor and Off the Counter

Bathrooms fill up fast. Bottles, brushes, cleaning sprays… They all need a home.

I worked on one job where the homeowner had everything stored in little plastic bins under the sink. It made cleaning the bathroom soo much easier. She just grabbed a bin, used what she needed, and popped it back. Another family used small baskets inside their drawers (one for hair bits, one for skincare, another for first aid). It really kept everything neat and in its place.

Wall-mounted holders help too. Toilet brushes, soap trays, even towel hooks. One bloke had a wall-mounted toilet brush that never touched the floor. It made mopping a lot easier. Another family added a wall-mounted toothbrush station and a soap dispenser to free up space around the sink.

I’ve also seen floating shelves added above the toilet for extra storage, for things like folded towels or a basket of spare loo rolls. One mum told me it stopped everything getting dumped on the windowsill.

As for another tip: avoid open vanity units. Dust collects fast underneath. Go for full units with doors or drawers. One mum swapped hers after constantly finding dust and hair stuck underneath. 

3. Shower Doors or Curtains? Depends Who You Live With

Here’s a debate I hear all the time. Some folks swear by glass shower doors. Others toss them in the first chance they get.

I admit that glass looks great, I think all of us prefer it for aesthetic reasons. But in homes with hard water or where people don’t squeegee after showers, they go orange and dirty really fast. And just like that, what was once aesthetically pleasing is now probably the main thing that bugs the eye. One woman told me she gave up after a year and went back to a curtain. She uses a cheap plastic liner on the inside and a nice washable one on the outside.

Curtains are easier to clean and cheaper to replace. Which means that most families with young kids or teens usually prefer them.

That said, I’ve also met a couple who love their glass doors. They both squeegee after every shower and clean the glass once a week with a bit of vinegar and water. It became part of their routine, and the doors still looked spotless two years later. They said it made the space feel bigger and brighter, so the bit of effort was worth it.

So Which Option is The Best?

All in all, the decision depends on the amount of effort you want to put in. Thinking about it, just washing the glass after each shower for the one minute it takes doesn’t sound like such a struggle. But if you’re generally busy and already have many small things to take care of on a daily basis, adding one more task to your plate can really make it feel heavier than it has to be. So just consider your own routine and how easy it is for you to add steps to it. And if you don’t live by yourself, make sure the others can adapt to the new added task too.

4. Some People Like Hooks, Some Need Bars

In every couple I’ve worked for, there’s always one who folds towels neatly and one who just chucks them on a hook. So install both, if you’ve got the space.

Hooks work better for kids and husbands (trust me, I’ve seen it). Bars look tidier, but people rarely use them properly.

5. Fixtures That Clean Themselves (Almost)

When I suggest wall-hung toilets or vanities, people sometimes ask if they’re worth it. After a year, they always thank me.

They’re off the floor, so you can vacuum and mop easily. Skirted toilets with glazed trapways are even better (no nooks and crannies to scrub).

Same goes for single-hole taps and integrated sinks. Fewer edges, fewer leaks, fewer places for grime to build.

I also recommend using mould resistant paint, especially around the ceiling or near the bath. It helps prevent stains and cuts down on how often you need to repaint. If you’ve got poor ventilation or kids who forget to use the fan, this tip can really make a difference.

6. Small Habits That Save Hours

You don’t need to deep clean every week. Most of the cleanest bathrooms I’ve seen are thanks to small daily habits.

One lad told me he wipes down the mirror and sink every night with a dry cloth. A mum keeps a washcloth by the tap to wipe water spots after each use. Others squeegee the shower walls before they even step out.

Another bloke swishes the toilet brush around every morning. He doesn’t use any cleaner, just gives it a quick rinse. One woman leaves a cloth under the sink and wipes the floor around the toilet every couple of days. She said it takes 30 seconds and makes a big difference.

If you’re trying to clean a bathroom without spending your whole day on it, these little routines (which are easy to incorporate) can make the whole idea of cleaning the place less stressful and frustrating. Most of my clients who manage to keep a clean bathroom say it’s about staying ahead of the mess. Think smarter by following others’ tricks, and at the end of the week, you’ll realise that the general cleaning of the bathroom kind of made itself happen throughout the days, just because of some small steps added to your daily routine.

These are the homes I walk into six months later and still go, “blimey, it looks brand new in here.”

7. DIY Bathroom Cleaning Hacks

A lot of homeowners love those scrub brushes with the soap inside the handle. They fill them with a mix of dish soap, white vinegar, and a bit of water. While they wait for the conditioner to sink in, they give the walls a quick scrub. A few told me it stops scum from building up at all.

One client swore by using Dawn Powerwash in the shower. She sprays it on the glass and walls after her shower, lets it sit, then rinses later. She said it cut her scrubbing time in half.

Another homeowner used the same spray trick on her floors, bathroom sink, and even the mirror, which made water spots disappear fast.

Stick vacuums are another favourite. One bloke said he never touched a broom again after buying it, especially since he no longer had back pain.

Even small things like washable terry bath mats, or keeping soap bottles on a tray, can make cleaning quicker. You just lift one thing instead of twelve. One mum told me she uses old washcloths as daily counter wipes and tosses them in the laundry after two days. Pretty simple and smart, right?

Another tip: invest in a good set of bathroom cleaning tools. One homeowner swears by using a small electric brush for grout, while another prefers handheld scrubbing pads for their tiles. If you want to clean bathroom tiles without getting frustrated, the right tools make a difference.

And don’t overlook homemade cleaning products for bathroom surfaces. A lot of people mix vinegar, water, and a drop of washing-up liquid. One bloke said it worked better than anything he bought at the shops.

8. Bathroom Cleaning Should Be Easy

Bathrooms get messy. They’re wet, steamy, and used every day, and if you have children or teens running around, well, the results are quite predictable. It’s pretty normal for them to get dirty easily, so don’t beat yourself up. Instead, focus on making things easier. As a summary of this article on how to clean a bathroom in an efficient way, consider these tricks: use washable curtains, keep cloths handy, store things in baskets, and wipe things regularly before they turn into a mess that takes ages to clean.

I’ve worked in showrooms and real homes. Real homes always deal with mess. But the smart ones don’t let that mess pile up. If you’re after the one main bathroom cleaning and hygiene tip that won’t wear you down, my advice is to start with simple daily habits. Then, if you want to make some layout changes and renovate a bit, build your bathroom around those habits. Some easy-to-clean bathroom design ideas, like solid surfaces, large tiles, or wall-mounted fixtures, could really change how you deal with your space for years to come.

And for people across St. Helens, the North West, North Wales, and parts of the Midlands who want to start fresh with a complete modern bathroom renovation, my team and I are ready for new projects! At AV Modern Bathrooms, your first home visit is completely free, and we keep installations quick to minimise disruption. Prices start at £3,600, and we provide all the materials. And you’ll also get a 1-year workmanship warranty! If you’re still unsure, take a look at the reviews from homeowners we’ve worked with. We’re ready when you are; contact us today!

Common Questions on Bathroom Cleaning Habits

How do I make bathroom cleaning easier?

Use large tiles, avoid open storage, and keep daily cleaning tools close. A quick daily wipe saves hours of scrubbing later. Little things like squeegeeing your shower or wiping the tap make a big difference.

What’s the best way to stop mould in the bathroom?

Make sure your extractor fan works well. Leave the door open after showers. Use washable curtains and swap them out often. And if you can, tile the walls behind the toilet and bath, because painted walls hold moisture.

Are solid surfaces better than tiles?

In many ways, yes. Solid shower bases or wall panels like Corian have no grout, so they’re easier to clean. They cost more upfront but really save time and effort.

Is it better to have a glass shower door or curtain?

It depends. Glass looks aesthetically pleasing but needs regular wiping. Curtains are cheaper, easier to clean, and better for kids or shared bathrooms.

How often should I clean the bathroom?

Do little things daily: wipe counters, squeegee the shower, rinse the sink. Deep clean every week or two. It’s easier to stay on top of it this way.