9 Game-Changing Bathroom Cleaning Tricks

This article originally appeared on Angi and is syndicated by Cheapism.

Cleaning the bathroom is no one’s favorite chore, but there’s nothing like taking a relaxing bubble bath in a sparkling clean tub. So how do you obtain a beautiful bathroom without spending hours scrubbing the tile? These nine bathroom cleaning hacks will help make this chore easier and quicker to accomplish.

If you’re sick of never-ending streaks and cleaning up those little fuzzies, the solution may be hiding in your pantry. You can clean mirrors with white vinegar diluted in water — 4 parts vinegar to 1 part water — and either a cotton or microfiber towel. Simply spray and then wipe away.

If your manual toothbrush looks worse for wear, don’t toss it just yet: It’s an excellent tool for reaching those small crevices you always seem to miss. Use it to clean your bathroom sink, around the kitchen cabinet, faucets, toilet, and wherever else you see hard-to-reach grime. Your bathroom might sparkle when you’re through.

Can’t get rid of those pesky hard water stains? Go over them with a lemon wedge, then wipe away. Not only will it look cleaner, but your tub will smell great too.

Just be sure to spot test this hack first to make sure your bathtub material is compatible with highly acidic lemon wedges.

If it seems like it takes forever to wash the shampoo out of your hair, you may be dealing with a clogged shower head. Soak the shower head in white vinegar for at least one hour or overnight. If your shower head doesn’t come off, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie it to the shower head instead. This trick should take care of any clog-causing mineral deposits.

Sick of looking at that icky grout in your shower? Try cleaning it with a toilet bowl cleaner (the kind with clinging gel and bleach).

Use the applicator to lay a thin layer of gel on the entire grout grid, avoiding the tiles. To soak up the excess, line tub edges with old rags, towels, or paper towels (don’t skip this step, or the gel may bleach your tub or shower). Wait around 10 minutes, or however long it takes for the grout to whiten. When it’s ready, scrub it gently with a brush and wipe away.

Note: It’s a good idea to spot-test an inconspicuous location first to ensure there won’t be any damage to your shower grout. Don’t use this hack on your floor grout, as it can damage certain tiles.

Are you up the creek without a plunger? The fizzy reaction of baking soda and vinegar can dislodge a toilet clog in a pinch.

Ideally, your toilet bowl should be about halfway full. Then you can add 1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar. For fuller toilets, maintain that 2-to-1 ratio, starting with 1/4 cup portions of each ingredient. Give it a few minutes to fizz, and then pour hot (not boiling) water into the toilet.

If all else fails, get in touch with a local plumber to get things running again.

Caution: Never use vinegar and baking soda immediately after using chemical-based drain cleaners. This combination can cause a reaction that produces a dangerous gas.

In case you haven’t seen this oldie-but-goodie trick on TikTok, you can prevent fog on your mirror with shaving cream.

First, spray your mirror with diluted dish soap and gently wipe it away with a cloth. Then, buff a small pump of shaving cream into the mirror until it disappears. Check it out after your next shower.

A clogged exhaust fan will circulate dirt and dust, make unpleasant noises, and possibly cause mold or mildew when it fails to do its job. It’s essential to keep the bathroom exhaust fan clean to address (or avoid) potential problems.

Ensure the fan is off, then unscrew the cover and gently clean the fan blades with a soft cloth and mild soapy water. Allow everything to dry thoroughly before screwing it back into place. If you have any lingering issues, you may need to call a local handyperson to come and have a look.

If you tackle light bathroom cleaning tasks on a daily basis, you won’t get left with that forever-taking mess at the end of the week. Conduct a quick daily wipe-down of the sink, toilet, and tub (or shower). Scrub the toilet bowl every few days and do a quick dry mop—or a wet mop if there are spills. You can schedule routine cleanings with a local house cleaning service for an extra hand.

Pro tip: Stash cloths and your cleaning product of choice under the sink for easy access.