The 33 Best Bathroom Cleaning Hacks of All Time

Fresh out of bathroom cleaner? No worries. The salicylic acid in aspirin makes it an effective cleaning agent, so if you run out of cleaner mid-routine, just drop two aspirin tablets in water and use it like you would any other cleaner to remove soap scum around your sink and shower.

Believe it or not, nonstick cooking spray can make cleaning your bathroom a breeze. Since oil breaks down lime deposits, a quick spritz of cooking spray on your bathtub or shower tile will instantly remove unwanted soap scum buildup. Just remember to rinse your tub clean with hot water after so you don’t slip and fall the next time you take a shower.

Few things will brighten up your fixtures faster than nonstick cooking spray. Spritz a little bit directly on your kitchen or bathroom faucet (or shower fixtures) to let the oil break down any grime or water stains and then wipe with a clean rag for a shiny finish.

If you aren’t keeping a can of cooking spray in your bathroom by this point, you’re doing it wrong. In lieu of WD-40, spritz a little nonstick oil directly onto the hinges of a squeaky door or cabinet to keep them lubricated—and quiet.

Let’s face it: Few stains are tougher to remove than a spilled bottle of nail polish. Start by applying rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. But if that doesn’t work, a Magic Eraser might. They are made of extra abrasive melamine foam, so you can moisten one to scrub dried nail polish out of carpet and rugs, and other non-delicate fabrics and textiles.

Guess what? The natural surfactants used in shaving cream make it a very gentle yet effective jewelry cleaner! Do your beloved (but dirty) baubles a solid and rub them around in a dollop of shaving cream for a minute and wipe them clean with a fresh rag until they look shiny and new.

Stuck with a shower door covered in soap scum? Grab the nearest bottle of cooking spray! Even a small spritz of nonstick cooking spray has more than enough oil to tackle the lime deposits on your glass shower door—just remember to rinse it clean with hot water when you’re done, so no slick oily residue remains.

If you thought dish brushes were reserved for the kitchen sink, then you might want to reconsider. If you keep a soap-dispensing brush handy in your bathroom, then you can use it to give the tile and tub in your shower a quick clean down before your wash-off—or while you let your hair conditioner sink in. Look for one with a built-in scraper, like this $6 style at Amazon, so you can clean your grout with less effort.

Your bath towels are good for way more than just drying off your hands and body—they can keep your bathroom fixtures shiny and clean, too. Every time you wash your hands or face in the bathroom sink, or take a shower, make a habit of using the towel you dry off with to wipe down your faucets and fixtures immediately afterward, and you’ll keep water spots at bay—no marathon cleaning session necessary.

If you don’t already have a squeegee in your shower, then now’s the time to smarten up. Designed to quickly remove water and condensation from glass surfaces, spend two minutes after every shower wiping down your tile, tub, and doors with a squeegee—just like you would on the windshields of a car—to ensure you stop soap scum buildup in it tracks (so you won’t have to clean your bathroom nearly as often).

The sad truth about shower curtain liners is that they get grody fast. That’s why you should only buy liners that are made of machine-washable fabrics so you can include them in your regular laundry routine. For added convenience, always keep a spare liner in your linen closet—so you can trade one out while you’re washing the other—for an always-clean shower curtain.