Cleaning the bathroom in a house full of boys is… tough. No matter many times I wipe things down, there’s always something—toothpaste in the sink, soap scum on the shower walls, or that mystery funk that somehow appears overnight. And don’t even get me started on the toilet. I love my husband and my boys, but keeping a bathroom clean with them around? It takes strategy.
For years, I was scrubbing way too much and buying every cleaner under the sun, hoping something would make my life easier. Turns out, the real game-changer isn’t in the fancy cleaning aisle—it’s in finding little tricks that actually work. I’ve tested every single one of these hacks in my own home, and they’ve saved me from hours of pointless scrubbing. If you’re tired of deep-cleaning only for the mess to come right back, these tricks will help keep your bathroom cleaner for longer—without making you feel like you live in there.
Keep a Soap-Filled Brush in the Shower
Scrubbing the shower used to be one of those things I’d put off until it was absolutely disgusting. Now, I barely have to think about it. I keep a soap-dispensing dish brush in there, and whenever I’m waiting for my conditioner to do its thing, I swipe down the walls and tub. It’s the easiest way to stay on top of the grime without adding extra chores to my week.
If you get one with a built-in scraper, it makes tackling grout a breeze, too. I haven’t had to do a deep clean in months because this little trick keeps everything looking fresh.
Squeegee Glass Shower Doors Every Time
Glass shower doors are great—until they start looking like a cloudy mess from hard water and soap scum. I used to scrub mine with every cleaner under the sun, but now I just keep a squeegee in the shower and do a quick wipe-down after every use.
It takes all of 30 seconds, and my doors stay crystal clear. I run it over the tiles and tub, too, since less standing water means less mildew. On the rare occasion I forget for a few days, I definitely notice. It’s a tiny habit that saves a ton of work in the long run.
A Bleach Pen for Grout
If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s grimy grout. Scrubbing it with a toothbrush takes forever, and grout cleaners always smell strong enough to knock me out. So, I started using a bleach pen instead.
I just run it over the grout lines, let it sit overnight, and wipe it down with warm water the next day. No scrubbing, no harsh fumes—just clean, bright grout. It works on kitchen tile, too, so I keep one under the sink and pull it out whenever things start looking dingy.
Turn an Old Toothbrush Into a Detail Brush
Before tossing that old toothbrush, turn it into a deep-cleaning tool. Boil a pot of water, drop the toothbrush in for about 10 minutes, then pull it out with pliers or tweezers. While it’s still hot, bend half of the bristles backward to create a hooked shape.
This little DIY brush is perfect for scrubbing tight corners, grout lines, or those weird crevices around your sink and faucet that regular sponges never reach. It’s saved me from having to dig grime out with my fingernails more times than I’d like to admit.
Stop Your Bathroom Mirror From Fogging
Nothing’s worse than trying to do your makeup or shave with a fogged-up mirror. Instead of wiping it down every time, grab some shaving cream. Rub a thin layer over the mirror, then wipe it off with a clean cloth.
The glycerin in the shaving cream creates a protective coating that keeps steam from sticking. It lasts for days, and you can use the same trick on shower doors, car windshields, and even glasses if they keep fogging up.
Cooking Spray for a Quick Faucet Shine
If your faucet is looking dull or covered in water spots, a little cooking spray will bring it back to life. Just spritz a bit on the surface, let it sit for a few seconds, then wipe with a clean cloth.
The oil breaks down grime and hard water stains, leaving everything shiny without needing to scrub. It works on bathroom sinks, shower fixtures, and even stainless steel in the kitchen. Just make sure to buff off any excess so it doesn’t feel greasy.
Keep the Shower Curtain Dry
Mildew on the shower curtain is the worst. It starts as a little discoloration, and before you know it, the whole thing smells musty. I used to replace my shower curtain liner constantly until I realized that the real problem was letting it stay damp.
Now, I make sure to stretch it out fully after every shower so it dries faster. If you’ve got a bathroom window, crack it open. If not, turning on the fan helps. And if mildew does start creeping in, a quick spray of vinegar and water keeps it from getting out of hand.
Dryer Sheets for Soap Scum
I don’t know what kind of magic is in dryer sheets, but they make scrubbing soap scum way easier. The first time I tried this, I was skeptical, but after wetting a dryer sheet and rubbing it over my glass shower doors, the scum wiped right off.
Apparently, the fabric softener helps break down the residue. I use this trick on my shower tiles too, and it saves me from having to scrub with a ton of force. Plus, it leaves everything smelling fresh instead of like harsh chemicals.
Sulfuric Acid for Stubborn Calcium Buildup
I never thought I’d be dealing with a toilet that refused to flush because of calcium buildup, but here we are. If you’ve got hard water—or, say, a teenage boy who treats flushing like an optional step—you know how bad it can get. At one point, I thought I’d have to replace the whole toilet. Nope. Just needed sulfuric acid toilet cleaner.
Dump a bottle in, shut the door, and let it do its thing for 15 minutes. Then, slap on a face mask (trust me, you don’t want to breathe this in), flush, and crack a window. Give it an hour to air out, then a quick scrub to clear whatever’s left. It’s saved me from replacing a toilet more than once.
Keep a Magic Eraser in the Shower
If there’s one thing I hate, it’s scrubbing a disgusting shower. By the time I get around to cleaning it, the soap scum is practically part of the tile. But I finally figured out a lazy way to keep it under control—just stash a Magic Eraser in the shower.
When I’m waiting for the water to warm up (or just standing there avoiding my to-do list), I grab the eraser and swipe down the walls. It takes maybe 30 seconds, and I never have to stress about deep-cleaning the shower before company comes over. Just grab one, keep it handy, and you’ll never have to chisel away at weeks of buildup again.
Command Hooks to Keep Trash Bags in Place
I don’t know why trash bags love to slide into the can the second you throw something in, but it drives me nuts. I got tired of digging them back out, so I stuck two upside-down Command Hooks on the sides of my trash can, about a third of the way down.
Now, I just loop the bag handles around them, and that thing stays put. No more wrestling a trash bag out of the can, only to have it rip because it’s half full of garbage water. If you’re using grocery bags as liners, this trick makes them actually stay in place.
*This article was created with the help of AI.