Conquer Gross Bathroom Messes with Our Editor-Approved Cleaning Guide

Try these troubleshooting solutions for cleaning common bathroom gross-outs.

Admit it—cleaning the bathroom likely ranks as one of your most-dreaded household chores. It becomes especially daunting when faced with gross bathroom messes like hair-clogged drains and unsightly mildew. But fear not! Refresh your bathroom with our editors' expert cleaning tips that are sure to eliminate even the toughest stains and persistent odors, leaving your space sparkling once again.

1. Cemented Toothpaste Splatters

If your bathroom sink looks like Jackson Pollock started working with toothpaste, place a launderable microfiber sponge on the sink ledge for easy daily cleanup. Wash the sponge with your bathroom towels or cleaning rags once a week.

2. Unpleasant Odors

Let’s face it: Sometimes the bathroom takes on a lingering odor. The Bad Air Sponge is a canister-style odor absorber that eliminates scent molecules.

Related: 7 Ways to Banish Common Household Odors for a Fresher Home

3. Persistent Dampness

A bathroom that just won’t dry out due to a lack of ventilation will be a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and musty odors. DampRid is a dehumidifier that comes as a bag or tub of crystals to absorb extra moisture straight from the air.

4. Hair and Product Buildup

iRobot’s compact mopping robot offers a variety of mopping and sweeping options. The damp sweeping pads are perfect for picking up hair as well as eliminating residue from dry shampoo and hair spray, which attract dirt.

5. Drain Hair Clogs

If you find yourself avoiding cleaning hair out of the shower drain, you’re not alone—no one enjoys this icky job. The TubShroom hair catcher fits just inside the drain opening and captures every last strand before they mat and clog the drain. Just pull out the Shroom and wipe the hair away.

Editor's Tip

It’s easier to clean the Shroom when wet, so tackle this right after each shower— ideally when you’re still sans glasses.

6. Tub Rings

Dirt and product residue can leave behind a scum ring in the tub. A quick fix is to fill the tub with very hot water and add a scoop of OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover. Wait 15 minutes for the solution to dissolve buildup, then drain and wipe the tub clean. Bonus: The hot water-OxiClean combo should also help relieve buildup causing a slow-moving drain.

"Guess what? Your bathroom needs a recycling bin too. An easy, nice-looking solution is to buy two identical cans—one for trash, one for recyclables (label if needed)."

Amy Panos, home editor

7. Grout Mold and Mildew

For tough mold and mildew, you may need a heavy hitter like X-14 Mildew Stain Remover. Spray it on and let the cleaner penetrate the mold or mildew; rinse clean with water. Important: X-14 must be used in a well-ventilated area and should never be mixed with other cleaners. If you want an eco-friendly option, you can get the job done with distilled vinegar, a scrub brush, and a serious application of elbow grease.

8. Cloudy and Spotted Shower Glass

It’s weird but true: Nothing will get a cloudy, spotted glass shower door cleaner than a dryer sheet. Wet the glass, ball the sheet up, and scrub the door with it in a circular motion. Wipe the glass clean with a microfiber cloth to remove soap scum and any residue from the dryer sheet.

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