Let’s be honest: cleaning the bathroom is rarely anyone’s idea of a good time. It’s the household chore we all love to hate, and for good reason—it’s fiddly, it’s grimy, and it’s all too easy to put off until things get a little, well, unsavoury.
But did you know that the way you’re cleaning your bathroom could be doing more harm than good? Not just to your sparkling taps and shiny tiles, but to your health as well.
We’ve rounded up the latest expert advice to help you avoid the most common bathroom cleaning blunders—and keep your home both spotless and safe.
The hidden dangers lurking in your cleaning routine
It turns out that the biggest mistake most of us make isn’t missing a spot behind the loo or forgetting to scrub the shower screen.
According to John Horner, Managing Director at luxury bathroom company 34 St John, the real danger comes from mixing cleaning products in the hope of creating a ‘super cleaner’.
It’s a tempting idea: a splash of this, a squirt of that, and surely you’ll blast away even the most stubborn soap scum.
But this DIY chemistry experiment can have serious consequences. When bleach is mixed with vinegar-based cleaners or ammonia products, it can create toxic chlorine gas—a substance that irritates your lungs and can cause severe respiratory issues.
The UK Health Security Agency backs this up, warning that mixing cleaning products can create dangerous fumes.
And in a small, poorly ventilated bathroom, those fumes can quickly build up to hazardous levels.
Ventilation: Your secret weapon
If you’re not already in the habit of opening a window or switching on the exhaust fan while you clean, now’s the time to start.
Good ventilation isn’t just about keeping the air fresh—it’s essential for dispersing chemical vapours and reducing the risk of mould growth behind fixtures.
So, before you reach for the spray bottle, make sure you’ve got some airflow happening.
Don’t ruin your fixtures: The perils of abrasive cleaners
We all want our bathrooms to look their best, especially if you’ve invested in beautiful fittings like brushed nickel taps or oil-rubbed bronze handles.
But harsh cleaning powders and abrasive sponges can scratch and dull these specialty finishes, leaving them looking worse for wear.
The solution? Stick to warm water and a mild soap, applied with a soft cloth. It’s gentle enough to protect your fixtures, but still effective at removing grime. Save the heavy-duty cleaners for the toilet bowl, and treat your taps and handles with a little TLC.
The surfaces you’re probably forgetting
It’s easy to focus on the obvious trouble spots—the toilet, the shower, the sink. But what about the places you touch every day?
Door handles, light switches, and tap handles are some of the most bacteria-laden surfaces in the bathroom, yet they’re often overlooked during routine cleaning.
Make it a habit to give these high-touch areas a quick wipe-down with an appropriate cleaner every day. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference to your household’s health.
Where you store your cleaning products matters
Many of us keep our cleaning supplies under the bathroom sink for convenience. But according to Mr Horner, this isn’t the best idea.
The warm, humid environment can degrade the effectiveness of your products, and storing chemicals near water sources increases the risk of accidental spills or dangerous reactions.
If possible, store your cleaning products in a cool, dry place outside the bathroom—and always out of reach of children and pets.
Credit: Ann Russell / TikTok
Protect yourself: Gloves on, please!
It might seem like overkill, but wearing gloves while you clean isn’t just for germaphobes. Repeated exposure to cleaning chemicals can cause skin irritation, dryness, and even allergic reactions.
A good pair of rubber gloves will keep your hands protected and make the whole process a little less unpleasant.
A little every day beats a big clean-up
Finally, here’s a tip that could save you hours of scrubbing: a quick daily tidy-up is far more effective (and less daunting) than a marathon deep clean every fortnight.
Wipe down surfaces, give the toilet a quick brush, and keep on top of soap scum before it has a chance to build up. Your future self will thank you.
The bottom line
Bathroom cleaning doesn’t have to be a health hazard or a home improvement nightmare. With a few simple tweaks to your routine—and a firm ‘no’ to mixing products—you can keep your bathroom sparkling, your fixtures looking fabulous, and your family safe.
Have you ever had a cleaning mishap, or do you have a tried-and-true bathroom cleaning tip to share? We’d love to hear your stories and advice in the comments below!
Also read: The bathroom cleaning secret hiding in plain sight
