8 Things Pro Cleaners Wish You Wouldn’t Do in the Bathroom

Your bathroom, from a functional standpoint, is one of the most important parts of your home — and for that reason, it also happens to be one of the dirtiest. Staying on top of all the cleaning tasks in your bathroom can be time-consuming and, honestly, gross. So much so, that some people rely on a professional cleaner to do the job for them. 

That said, even if a pro helps out with the occasional deep cleans, it’s still up to you to maintain your bathroom day-to-day. How you do that can make a huge difference in how this important space feels between cleans — and how easy it is for your cleaner to tackle it. 

To make things easier for everyone, here are eight things professional cleaners wish you wouldn’t do in the bathroom. 

Whether you shed a little or a lot, chances are, some of your hair ends up in the shower drain. Hair clumps aren’t just gross to clean — they can also result in expensive plumbing problems. Do yourself (and your cleaner, who isn’t equipped to solve plumbing issues) a favor and prevent this problem in the first place. Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning, recommends everyone use a drain catcher. Just grab out clumps when you notice them and rinse!

It’s best to talk to your cleaner about their expectations for pre-cleaning. But as a general rule, Toner says it’s best not to leave a bunch of bathroom clutter on your counters. A disheveled space makes it harder and takes more time to clean, so you may end up with a higher bill (or a less-clean space). 

Your cleaner will likely scrub down the inside of your tub, but your shower curtain may or may not be part of the process. Whether your cleaner is washing the curtain or working around it, no one wants to deal with months of grime and soap scum. Toner recommends simply tossing the liner in the washing machine and adding white vinegar to remove buildup. “Wash it on the gentle cycle, and then hang it up to dry,” she says. 

Some of the grossest spots in your bathroom are the ones you don’t see regularly, like behind your toilet or under your sink, says Angela Lee, a cleaning expert at Hellamaid. To prevent hard-to-clean buildup (and smells!), stay on top of regularly cleaning and disinfecting areas that aren’t visible. 

Before you clean any space in your bathroom, Lee recommends reading the product label and being sure to follow the instructions. Skipping this crucial step can be risky (for example, if you’re using chemicals like bleach and ammonia, you should never mix them!). But you could also compromise bathroom surfaces by using the wrong cleaners — for example, abrasives could harm delicate surfaces, while using an all-purpose cleaner on glass might result in tough-to-remove streaks. 

Ongoing exposure to moisture can result in hard-to-clean (not to mention risky) mildew and mold. For that reason, Lee says it’s important to properly ventilate your bathroom, whether you run the exhaust fan while showering or crack open a window. If your bathroom is especially damp, a dehumidifier might also help. 

Another one of Lee’s pet peeves: When clients use too much of a cleaning product. “This can actually make cleaning harder, as it can leave a residue that needs to be rinsed off or wiped away,” she says. Again: Read the product label before cleaning or disinfecting so you know how much to use. When in doubt, start small and add more product if needed. 

Your toilet brush is one of the most germ-laden spots in your bathroom, but when was the last time you cleaned it? “Many people forget to clean the toilet brush after use, which can cause bacteria to build up and spread throughout the bathroom, making it harder for professional cleaners to keep everything clean and hygienic,” says Laura Avila, who works as a lead cleaner at Sparkling Cleaning Services. After you use it, be sure to give your toilet brush a good rinse and allow it to thoroughly dry.