Spring cleaning: Bathroom edition

Tips to a sparkling bathroom

Spring cleaning

When spring cleaning this year, pay extra attention to the bathrooms. A bathroom should resemble that of a luxury hotel — sparkling clean, sophisticated and a place that puts your mind at ease.

Though cleaning a bathroom is no fun (raise your hand if it's your least-favorite chore), a clean bathroom is divine. This year, we're going to show you how to quickly clean your bathroom and make it look like a swanky hotel restroom.

To have a bathroom you don't mind being in, you don't have to spend thousands of dollars remodeling it. All you need to know is the correct way to clean it and how to make it relaxing and cozy.

Clear out the cupboards

Before busting out the bleach and scrub brush, take everything out of the cupboards and get organized. Throw away any unused or expired lotions, sprays, deodorants, nail polishes, hair accessories, makeup and any other random bathroom finds. If you haven't used it in the past year, chances are you never will. Throw it out! When placing everything back in the cupboard, organize by product and then again by products most used. For example, group lotions together, and then place favorite lotions at the front.

Remember, clearing out the cupboards once per year helps you keep inventory of what you already have and what you may need.

Get to cleaning

Once the cupboards have been cleaned, organized and updated, it's time to start deep cleaning the bathroom. Start with the tub and work your way around. Use a toothbrush to clean the grout in your shower, around your sink and on tile floors. Clean the mirror and glass shower (if you have one) next, followed by the countertops and toilet. The toilet should be the last thing you clean — other than the floors — since you'll have to toss or clean any sponges used in the toilet. Sweep and mop the floors, including baseboards, and let everything dry. Once dry, dust any artwork or photographs in the restroom, and you're done!

Make it fancy

On to the fun part! Now that the bathroom is sparkling clean and fresh, add a few touches to make it relaxing and comfortable. First, light some candles. Nothing says luxury more than a fresh-scented, flickering candle. Place it on the lid of the toilet or on the counter, just make sure there aren't any towels in close proximity to the flame. Next, change the lighting. Soft lighting in a bathroom is ideal. You should have enough light so you can apply makeup, but not so much that you need sunglasses. Finally, add some of your favorite personal touches, such as your favorite soap, soft fluffy towels or bubble bath. The small, personal gestures make a bathroom feel charming.

• Empty cupboards and the medicine cabinet – 20 minutes
• Throw away any unused or expired products – 20 minutes
• Reorganize by grouping similar items together – 10 minutes
• Deep clean the shower and tub – 15 minutes
• Use a toothbrush for smaller spaces, such as grout in the shower and sinks – 10 minutes
• Clean the mirror and glass shower, if applicable – 5 minutes
• Scrub the toilet: Save this for last, since sponges will need to be washed or thrown out – 10 minutes
• Sweep and mop the floors – 15 minutes
• Clean the baseboards – 10 minutes
• Dust artwork and photographs – 5 minutes

Total time to a sparkling clean and beautiful bathroom: 2 hours!

More on spring cleaning

Spring cleaning made simple
Spring cleaning tips for the whole family
5 Steps to spring cleaning your diet