8 Bathroom Areas You Might Overlook When Cleaning, According to Experts

Bathrooms can be some of the most challenging—and frustrating!—spaces to clean in any home, thanks to the hard-to-reach areas around the toilet, tub, vanity, and beyond. As one of the most bacteria-ridden spots in the house, thorough cleaning is essential. Plus, eliminating hidden germs helps get rid of lingering odors! We consulted professional cleaners to find out which bathroom areas are often neglected or forgotten—here are eight they’ve pointed out, along with expert tips to clean them effectively.

Toilet Seat Hinges

Imagine all the bacteria hiding in the hinges of your toilet seat... Yuck. These tiny crevices are hard to reach with most cleaning tools, so it's easy to overlook—or simply ignore—them. Sarah McAllister, founder and CEO of GoCleanCo, notes that most toilet seats are removable, though many people don't realize this or understand how filthy it can get under the hinges. 'A lot of the time, the odors you can’t track down might be coming from there!' she explains.

'Inspect your latches closely and see if you can remove the seat, even if you have to Google it,' McAllister advises. 'It might require a screwdriver, but it's definitely worth it.' Her tip? Take the seat off and bring it to the shower or tub. Then, use your go-to bathroom cleaner, spray it thoroughly, scrub, rinse, and dry with paper towels.

Walls and Floor Around the Toilet

McAllister points out that people often forget the walls and floor around the toilet. 'This whole area is a splash and odor zone,' she says. 'The splashes aren't always visible, but trust me, they're there.' Yikes.

Her famous cleaning recipe is perfect for tackling these spots: 1 gallon of hot water, ⅓ cup of bleach, and 1 teaspoon of powdered Tide detergent. 'Make sure to vacuum first to remove dust and hair—it’ll make this messy job much easier,' McAllister recommends. Then, work from top to bottom, wiping down the walls and scrubbing the floor and toilet skirt with a brush.

McAllister emphasizes that it's important to focus on the grout and other hidden spots, like the edge where the toilet meets the floor, the curves of the toilet skirting, and the bolts securing the toilet to the floor.

Around Faucet Handles

Galia Ivanova, owner of Cleaning Estimate, points out that faucet handles are a sneaky spot. 'I was helping a friend clean her home once, and she kept saying her bathroom still felt dirty even after a scrub,' she recalls. 'When I took a closer look, I noticed a thin line of grime hiding under the faucet handles. It’s completely hidden unless you crouch down and really check!'

Ivanova suggests quickly running an old toothbrush around the faucet handles, dipped in warm soapy water, to get them clean in no time.

Under the Sink Rim

'This one's subtle, but if you run your hand under the edge of your sink basin, you might find a thin layer of residue,' says Ivanova. 'It’s not as obvious as some other spots, but wiping it down with a sponge and a mild cleaner will make the entire sink area feel a lot fresher.'

Bathtub Exterior

Sure, you’ve cleaned the inside of the tub—probably the most important part! But don’t forget the outside. 'We scrub the bathtub and the faucet inside, but the tub's exterior collects dust, gets splashed with water, and sometimes even urine if it’s near the toilet,' McAllister points out. She advises vacuuming all ledges first, then using her Tide recipe or your favorite cleaner to wipe it all down.

Shower Door Tracks

Along with the tub exterior, many forget the shower door tracks. 'Soap scum and mold love to thrive in shower door tracks, making them one of the dirtiest spots in the bathroom,' says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean. She recommends mixing baking soda and water to create a paste, applying it along the tracks, and letting it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes to loosen the grime. Then scrub thoroughly with a small brush and rinse or wipe with a damp cloth.

Ivanova points out that it’s easy to overlook the top of your shower frame or the rod holding your curtain, which collects dust just like a bookshelf. 'I once reached up out of curiosity and was shocked to feel a dusty film,' she recalls. 'Now, I make it a habit to run a damp cloth along the top every few weeks. No one notices, but the bathroom always feels brighter afterward.'

Bathroom Vents

Bathroom vents are often so high up that people don't even think to clean them. 'Out of sight, out of mind,' right? But according to Sokolowski, 'Bathroom vents can easily become clogged with dust and moisture, reducing airflow and spreading allergens.'

To clean the vent, Sokolowski suggests removing the vent cover, vacuuming away any loose dust, and then washing the cover in warm, soapy water. You can also soak it in a vinegar-water solution. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and let the vent dry completely before putting it back in place. Finish by wiping down the surrounding area with a damp cloth.

Toothbrush Holders and Chargers

Sokolowski explains that toothpaste residue and water can turn toothbrush holders into a hotspot for germs and bacteria. To prevent this, she recommends cleaning your toothbrush holder every week. Soak it in warm water with a few tablespoons of baking soda for about 15 minutes, then scrub the inside and grooves with an old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow it to dry.

McAllister points out that electric toothbrush chargers are often neglected. 'These often go unnoticed because the toothbrush stays on the charger during bathroom cleaning, so the buildup isn't visible,' she says. Cleaning them is simple: spray with your favorite bathroom cleaner, let it sit, then wipe down. 'If there's tough hard water buildup, place a vinegar-soaked paper towel on it, let it sit, and wipe away the softened residue,' she recommends.