The Best Bathroom Cleaners for Different Surfaces

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Bathroom Cleaners for Different Surfaces and hope the blog can help you.

Keep your bathrooms pristine with these traditional, natural, and germ-killing cleaners.

Bathroom showers, tubs, and countertops collect soap scum. Toilets gather grime and bacteria. Tiled surfaces can fall prey to mildew and mold. Mirrors are magnets for toothpaste, makeup, and streaks. The list of possible messes could go on and on. For that reason, we’ve tested the best bathroom cleaner formulas. These products work hard on messy bathrooms, meaning less work for you. 

After researching 20 popular and effective cleaners for common bathroom surfaces, we put the top 10 through hands-on testing. Keep reading to learn about the types of cleaners; the ingredients to look for in traditional, natural, and germ-killing cleaners; and to see some of the most effective cleaning products for each part of a bathroom.

1. BEST OVERALL: Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Lysol Power Bathroom Cleaner
3. BEST NATURAL: Better Life All-Purpose Cleaner 2-Pack
4. BEST FOR TOILETS: Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner 
5. BEST FOR MIRRORS: MiracleWipes for Glass
6. BEST FOR TILE FLOORS: Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Dry and Wet Floor Starter Kit
7. BEST FOR QUICK CLEANING: Lysol Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes
8. BEST FOR SOAP SCUM: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Foaming Cleaner
9. BEST FOR MOLD AND MILDEW: RMR Solutions RMR-86 Mold & Mildew Stain Remover
10. BEST FOR HARD WATER STAINS: Bio-Clean Products Hard Water Stain Remover

How We Tested the Best Bathroom Cleaners

Bathrooms are full of germs, dirt, soap scum, mildew, and an array of hard surfaces like toilets, showers, tubs, sinks, floors, and mirrors. To find the best cleaner for each common bathroom surface, we researched products with high consumer ratings and considered product value. Our list started with 20 products, which we narrowed down for testing purposes. Once we decided on 10 top cleaners, we began testing.

We used each cleaner in our home over several weeks to assess its effectiveness. All of our testing results were kept in a rubric survey, and we graded each product on a scale of 1 to 5 based on ease of use, cleaning ability, scent, and value. We averaged the scores and then assigned each product a category based on performance.

Testing Stats

• Products tested: 10
• Hours spent testing: 4.5
• Tests performed: 9
• Average price: $10.52

Our Top Picks

Every bathroom cleaner on this list has gone through extensive testing to secure its spot among our top picks. These are some of the best cleaners to help clean and sanitize various parts of a bathroom, and one (or more) of them may be exactly what you need.

Best Overall

Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach

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Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Regular Buildup 5/5; Tough Stains 5/5; Scent 3/5; Value 5/5 

Product Specs 

• Form: Liquid/spray
• Multipurpose: Yes
• Disinfecting: Yes

Pros

• Removes regular buildup, tough stains, and soap scum for extra-clean bathroom surfaces
• Safe for most hard surfaces, including plastic laminate, fiberglass, glazed ceramic, and glazed porcelain tile
• Disinfecting formula kills 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses, eliminating nasty bathroom germs

Cons

• Harsh chemical formula may exacerbate respiratory issues; use only in well-ventilated areas
• Bleach cleaner can cause discoloration on clothing and fabric shower curtains

Get rid of stubborn stains, mold, mildew, and soap scum with Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach. This bathroom cleaner can kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses, including common bathroom germs that cause salmonella, flu, and skin infections. It’s safe for most hard surfaces, including bathroom fixtures such as toilets, fiberglass showers and bathtubs, sinks, glazed porcelain tile, laminate countertops, and glazed ceramic tile. 

During testing, Clorox Clean-Up took our old dingy shower from yellowish to bright white. We sprayed it on the shower walls and floor, let it sit for 5 minutes, scrubbed with a gentle scrub brush, and rinsed the surfaces. This product worked better than even some of the best shower cleaners, removing discoloration, mildew, and soap scum. We also loved this cleaner for our toilet, sink, and laminate countertops. It felt good to eliminate harmful germs as we cleaned.

Clorox Clean-Up is a powerhouse cleaner, but it has a harsh chemical smell, which is its biggest drawback. We opened the windows while using this product to ensure our bathroom was well ventilated. Those with respiratory issues or sensitivities to chemicals might fare better with a different multipurpose bathroom cleaner.

Get the Clorox bathroom cleaner at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Target.

Best Bang for the Buck

Lysol Power Bathroom Cleaner

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Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Regular Buildup 5/5; Tough Stains 4.7/5; Scent 3/5; Value 5/5 

Product Specs 

• Form: Foam/spray
• Multipurpose: Yes
• Disinfecting: Yes

Pros

• Foam cleaner allows for a more precise application compared with liquid spray cleaners
• Powers through limescale and soap scum while preventing mold and mildew growth
• Sanitizes or disinfects depending on how long the formula sits on a surface

Cons

• Not ideal as an everyday cleaner; chemical formula may be too harsh for some users

This affordable foaming bathroom cleaner can kill up to 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses on most bathroom surfaces. It’s safe for use on shower doors, glazed ceramic, vanity tops, sinks, chrome fixtures, and tubs. It can cut through limescale and soap scum, disinfect or sanitize, and control the growth of mold and mildew depending on how long it’s allowed to sit.

To see how well Lysol Power Bathroom Cleaner could cut through limescale and soap scum, we sprayed it in the middle of a large dirty patch on our shower surround and let the foam sit for 20 seconds. When we wiped it with a paper towel, it took the grime with it, leaving a clean patch. Since this product also disinfects and sanitizes, we used it on our toilet and sink drains, spraying it on and letting it sit for 10 minutes to disinfect before wiping it away. (Those who want to sanitize only can allow the product to sit for 30 seconds before wiping.)

This power cleaner has many bathroom uses, and its foam formula makes it easy to apply. It does have a slightly chemical scent that’s most noticeable when dispersing a large amount of spray. We recommend using this product in a well-ventilated area.

Get the Lysol Power Bathroom Cleaner at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Target.

Best Natural

Better Life All-Purpose Cleaner 2-Pack

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Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Regular Buildup 5/5; Tough Stains 3/5; Scent 5/5; Value 5/5 

Product Specs 

• Form: Liquid/spray
• Multipurpose: Yes
• Disinfecting: No

Pros

• Plant-derived formula is free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, dyes, petroleum solvents, and alcohol
• The light Clary Sage & Citrus scent leaves the bathroom smelling fresh without an overwhelming scent
• Safe for almost all hard surfaces and water-safe upholstery, making it a versatile cleaner

Cons

• Doesn’t disinfect, and it’s not ideal for cleaning tough stains, mold, mildew, or hard water spots

The natural and versatile Better Life multipurpose cleaner works great on tile and countertops, helping to eliminate common offenders like dirt, makeup, and soap scum. This best natural bathroom cleaner pick has a formula that is safe for a wide range of materials, including porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, laminate, engineered stone, and more. The all-natural formula makes it safe for use in homes with kids and pets.

We like to save the chemicals for bigger jobs or once-per-week deep-cleaning. For that reason, this product is a favorite for everyday cleaning and touch-ups. We used this cleaner almost daily for quick cleanups, including wiping down countertops and faucets and removing toothpaste from the sink. The cleaner’s Clary Sage & Citrus scent smelled fresh, and it was light and didn’t irritate our sensitive noses. It was also easy to use: Just spray on a hard surface and wipe with a dry cloth—no rinsing required.

This cleaner made its way throughout our house. We used it to wipe down kitchen counters, wood tables, dressers, and other hard surfaces. Thanks to its plant-derived ingredients, we also felt comfortable letting our older kids use it to clean their rooms. Although it doesn’t disinfect, it is effective at cleaning up dirt and grime with its safe, biodegradable ingredients.

Get the Better Life bathroom cleaner at Amazon or Better Life.

Best for Toilets

Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner

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Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Regular Buildup 5/5; Tough Stains 5/5; Scent 4/5, Value 5/5 

Product Specs 

• Form: Cling gel
• Multipurpose: No
• Disinfecting: Yes

Pros

• Wipes out toilet bowl rings and tough stains within minutes
• Disinfecting formula kills 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses when left on for 15 minutes
• Cling gel evenly coats the toilet bowl

Cons

• For toilet bowls only; may discolor or damage other types of surfaces 

Whether you need to tackle tough stains, stubborn toilet bowl rings, or regular buildup, Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner will get the job done. This cling gel has a disinfectant that kills 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria, including Rotavirus WA, HIV–1, and Staphylococcus aureus. Users can apply the gel and leave it on for 30 seconds to sanitize or 15 minutes to disinfect. 

Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner is our favorite option for ridding a toilet of rings and stubborn stains. We first tested this cleaner in a home with hard water and on a toilet that wasn’t flushed often enough. The toilet bowl had accumulated a thick ring that other toilet bowl cleaners couldn’t touch. One use of this product eliminated the ring, leaving the toilet bowl looking like new.

We’ve also used this cleaner for regular buildup, and it’s just as effective. The cling gel stays in place, making it easy to coat under the rim and water line. A quick swish with a toilet bowl brush is adequate for frequent cleanings. Tough stains sometimes require leaving the cleaner in the toilet bowl for 5 to 10 minutes (15 minutes to kill bacteria). The Atlantic Fresh Scent smells slightly minty and doesn’t have a strong chemical odor to it.

Get the Lysol toilet bowl cleaner at Amazon (2-pack), Target, or The Home Depot (2-pack).

Best for Mirrors

MiracleWipes for Glass

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Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Regular Buildup 5/5; Tough Stains N/A; Scent 5/5; Value 3.5/5 

Product Specs 

• Form: Wipes
• Multipurpose: No
• Disinfecting: No

Pros

• Works on all types of glass including mirrors, windows, shower doors, and light fixtures
• Removes dust, dirt, grease, fingerprints, and water spots from glass
• Easy-to-use wipes dry streak-free and make for a quick cleanup

Cons

• Expensive when compared with spray glass cleaners; high cost per wipe

Cleaning sprays or foams can be difficult to wipe and rinse without leaving behind watermarks and streaks. Save time with MiracleWipes bathroom cleaning wipes, which are designed for cleaning glass surfaces such as bathroom mirrors and windows. This product comes in a 30-wipe container or a 60-wipe container, so shoppers can choose the most suitable quantity for their home.

In testing, the wipes cleaned watermarks, toothpaste, fingerprints, dirt, and grime from our mirrors. The directions on the package stated to dry the glass with a soft cloth after use for the best results. We tested the wipes both ways (with and without drying with a cloth), and our mirror was streak-free in both instances. These wipes also cleaned other bathroom glass, such as windows and the shower door. They were especially helpful for quickly cleaning up toothpaste-splattered mirrors in kids’ bathrooms.

MiracleWipes for Glass are unscented and have an ammonia-free formula. They clean well and offer convenience that only a wipe can. They’re perfect for cleaning up in a hurry before guests arrive and make it easy for older kids to pitch in with bathroom cleaning tasks. The biggest drawback is the price, which is much higher than for a spray glass cleaner. 

Get the MiracleWipes bathroom cleaner at Amazon or Lowe’s.

Best for Tile Floors

Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Dry and Wet Floor Starter Kit

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Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Regular Buildup 5/5; Tough Stains 4/5; Scent 4/5; Value 5/5 

Product Specs 

• Form: Dry sweeper/wet mop
• Multipurpose: No
• Disinfecting: No

Pros

• Kit comes with dry sweeping cloths and wet mopping cloths (quantity depends on retailer)
• Disposable cloths are handy for quick cleaning jobs and tackling germ-covered floors
• Cloths are safe for all finished floors, offering versatility for whole-house cleaning

Cons

• Not adequate for all dirt; broom or vacuum may be needed for loose debris
• Must keep extra packages of the disposable refill cloths on hand 

The Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 floor cleaner can be used for both sweeping and mopping bathroom floors. This kit comes with the Swiffer mop, several dry sweeping cloths, and several wet cleaning cloths (quantity depends on the retailer) to help keep the