The short answer from Health Canada: open a window or run the fan, never mix cleaning products, use gloves, and keep the room dry afterwards so mould has less to grow on. This guide adds a simple order for cleaning a bathroom, how to deal with soap scum and mould, and where acids are a problem.
We sell the Eco Bathroom Cleaner used in the soap-scum steps, so read that part with that in mind. Where a point comes from our own product page rather than a health or trade body, the guide says so. For a product comparison, see our bathroom cleaner guide.
Health Canada says never to mix household chemical products, and specifically never to mix bleach with ammonia or acids such as vinegar, because the mixtures can produce toxic gases.
For small or medium areas of mould, Health Canada says to clean with water and dish detergent, that bleach is not needed, and to wear gloves, goggles and an N95 mask.
Run the exhaust fan during and for a few minutes after showers, says Health Canada, and keep humidity between 30% and 50%, since moisture promotes mould growth in bathrooms.
Acids can damage some stone: the Natural Stone Institute says products with lemon, vinegar or other acids may dull or etch calcareous stone, so identify your surface before using any acidic cleaner.
What Should You Do Before You Clean a Bathroom?
Ventilate, read the label and keep products separate. Health Canada's household chemical safety page (updated October 2026) says to follow the label, open windows or use exhaust fans during and after use, and wear the protective equipment the label names.
- Never mix products: Health Canada says some mixtures produce harmful gases. Its bleach alert says bleach reacts with any cleaner containing ammonia or an acid, including vinegar.
- Ventilate: Open a window or run the exhaust fan while you clean and afterwards. Bathrooms are small, and the alert asks for open windows or doors and running exhaust fans during and after use.
- Protect yourself: Wear gloves, and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards, as the safety page advises.
- Keep the original bottle: The safety page says to store products tightly closed, in their original containers, out of reach of children and pets.
How Do You Clean a Bathroom Step by Step?
Work from the top down, let the cleaner sit, then wipe, rinse and dry. Steps 1 and 6 follow Health Canada and the Natural Stone Institute; steps 3 and 5 follow our product page; steps 2 and 4 are general practice, not a cited standard.
- Ventilate and glove up. Open a window or run the fan, and put on gloves.
- Clear and dry-dust. Take out towels and bottles, then wipe dust from shelves, vents and mirrors before anything gets wet. This is general practice.
- Apply the cleaner and wait. Our Eco Bathroom Cleaner page says to spray the shower glass, tile, tub or sink and give it 30 to 60 seconds, the full minute for heavier calcium deposits.
- Clean the toilet last. Use a separate cloth or brush for the toilet so it does not touch the sink or tub. This is general practice.
- Wipe and rinse. Our page says to wipe with a cloth or sponge and rinse porous surfaces and anything that touches skin, and to repeat on stubborn spots rather than scrub harder.
- Dry and ventilate. Squeegee wet surfaces, as the Natural Stone Institute suggests for soap scum, and leave the fan running for a few minutes, as Health Canada advises after showering.
How Do You Remove Soap Scum and Hard Water Stains?
Our product page describes soap scum as a layer of fatty soap residue bonded to the mineral deposits left by hard water, and says acid chemistry is what loosens that bond. That is our explanation, not a published standard.
- What our cleaner uses: The Eco Bathroom Cleaner lists citric acid and lactic acid with a plant-derived surfactant, and sodium citrate to bind hard-water minerals. It is unscented, and its page says it contains no bleach, no ammonia and no phosphates.
- Not a disinfectant: The page says this is a cleaner, not a registered disinfectant. If a surface needs disinfecting, follow it with a registered product, and never combine the two in one go.
- Squeegee after showers: The Natural Stone Institute says soap scum in wet areas can be minimised by using a squeegee after each use. That costs nothing and works with any cleaner.
- What we did not find: We found no independent test comparing acid cleaners with other methods on soap scum, so we cannot rank them for you.
Featured in this guide
Eco Bathroom Cleaner
Citric and lactic acid bathroom cleaner with a plant-derived surfactant, sold unscented in a 1 L bottle. Our page says it is for showers, tubs, tile, sinks and toilet bowls, and is not a disinfectant. Full details are on the product page.
Shop now → ✓ 30-day money-back guarantee · Free shipping over $75How Do You Clean Mould in a Bathroom?
For a small or medium area, Health Canada's mould page says you can generally clean it yourself with water and dish detergent, and that there is no need to use bleach.
- Protect yourself: It says to wear safety glasses or goggles, a disposable N95 respirator and household disposable gloves.
- Know the size: It calls 1 to 3 patches, each under 1 square metre, small, and more than 3 patches or patches up to 3 square metres medium. Above 3 square metres is extensive.
- When to call someone: It advises considering a professional for extensive mould, or if the mould keeps coming back after you clean it, since a large amount often points to a bigger moisture problem.
- Fix the cause: Once it is cleaned, it says to fix the underlying cause, such as water damage, too much humidity or not enough ventilation.
- Our cleaner: Because Health Canada says dish detergent and water are enough for mould, you do not need a specialty product for this job.
Is Vinegar Safe to Use in the Bathroom?
It depends on what it touches and what else is in the room. Two sources we read give cautions, and we found no source testing how well vinegar removes soap scum.
- With bleach: Health Canada says never to mix bleach with acids such as vinegar, because that can produce toxic gases.
- On natural stone: The Natural Stone Institute says products containing lemon, vinegar or other acids may dull or etch calcareous stones, which are mainly calcium carbonate.
- Siliceous stone: The institute says siliceous stones are generally resistant to most kitchen acids, although it still does not recommend acidic cleaners.
- The same caution applies to our cleaner: Eco Bathroom Cleaner is acid-based, so check whether your countertop, tile or tub surround is natural stone before you use it, and test a hidden spot first.
How Do You Keep a Bathroom Clean for Longer?
Control moisture. Health Canada's mould page lists bathrooms among common problem areas and gives a short list of habits that cut mould growth.
- Use the fan: Use the bathroom exhaust fan when showering, and let it run for a few minutes afterwards. Make sure it vents outdoors.
- Control humidity: Keep relative humidity between 30% and 50%. A hygrometer, an inexpensive hardware-store tool, will tell you.
- Seal tubs and sinks: A tight seal stops water leaking into the walls.
- Fix leaks early: It says to repair leaks as soon as you notice them and to check around sinks, tubs and pipes.
- More on a safer home: See our low-cost home guide for cleaning choices across the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best order to clean a bathroom?
Work from the top down and finish with the toilet. That order is general practice rather than a cited standard: dust first, apply cleaner, wait, wipe, rinse, then dry.
Can I mix bleach and vinegar to clean my bathroom?
No. Health Canada says never to mix bleach with ammonia or acids such as vinegar, because the mixtures can produce toxic gases.
How do I get rid of mould in my bathroom?
Health Canada says small and medium areas can be cleaned with water and dish detergent, without bleach, using gloves, goggles and an N95 mask. Call a professional for extensive mould.
Is vinegar safe on marble or other natural stone?
The Natural Stone Institute says lemon, vinegar and other acids may dull or etch calcareous stone. Identify your stone first and use a neutral cleaner if unsure.
Is Eco Bathroom Cleaner a disinfectant?
No. Its product page says it is a cleaner, not a registered disinfectant. It is acid-based, so test it on a hidden spot before using it on natural stone.
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