8 Strategies to Make Your Bathroom Easy-to-Clean
Self-cleaning bathrooms are the stuff of dreams, but these strategies and designs will certainly make the job easier
I hate cleaning bathrooms. There. I’ve said it. I’m not proud, but I’m not really ashamed either. I have better things to do with my time… well, certainly more fun things to do with my time. Don’t you? Not everyone has cleaning help, so when you are the one who has to do the cleaning, your design choices will make a big impact on you every day. If you implement the strategies below, you can end up with a bathroom that looks and feels like a dream bathroom but cleans as easily as a no-nonsense public restroom.
Caesarstone was used for the brown walls and countertop in this bathroom. You can use it all by itself or in combination with tile to beautiful effect.
Vinyl wall coverings have come a long way. They add beautiful texture or pattern to your bathroom, and you can wipe them down with a sponge.
Browse Singapore bathroom designs
Browse Singapore bathroom designs
Back-painted glass is another option for walls, and you can use it on counters too, if you're looking to go groutless.
If you can’t eliminate grout lines entirely, then at least reduce the number and thickness.
Large-format porcelain tiles come in sizes all the way up to 24 inches by 48 inches (120 by 240 centimetres). I had a little fun with the math. If you use a single 24-inch-by-48-inch tile instead of 4-inch-by-4-inch (10-centimetres-by-10-centimetres) tiles covering the same area, you eliminate 42 feet (12.8 metres) of grout lines!
Large-format porcelain tiles come in sizes all the way up to 24 inches by 48 inches (120 by 240 centimetres). I had a little fun with the math. If you use a single 24-inch-by-48-inch tile instead of 4-inch-by-4-inch (10-centimetres-by-10-centimetres) tiles covering the same area, you eliminate 42 feet (12.8 metres) of grout lines!
2. Select a linear drain
See that narrow channel at the base of the wall? That’s a linear drain. Installing one means that your shower floor will have a flat slope in one direction, so you can run your large-format floor tile right on into the shower instead of using little mosaic tiles to accommodate multiple directions of slope. It will cost more than the typical drain hole but ask yourself how much you hate cleaning grout.
See that narrow channel at the base of the wall? That’s a linear drain. Installing one means that your shower floor will have a flat slope in one direction, so you can run your large-format floor tile right on into the shower instead of using little mosaic tiles to accommodate multiple directions of slope. It will cost more than the typical drain hole but ask yourself how much you hate cleaning grout.
3. Just say no to glass
I hate cleaning glass almost as much as I hate scrubbing grout. This shower is strategically placed around a corner in a wet zone, entirely eliminating the need for a glass partition. With large-format tiles and a slab countertop as well, this bathroom is very low maintenance.
I hate cleaning glass almost as much as I hate scrubbing grout. This shower is strategically placed around a corner in a wet zone, entirely eliminating the need for a glass partition. With large-format tiles and a slab countertop as well, this bathroom is very low maintenance.
4. Go frameless
The aluminium frames around glass shower doors are a magnet for gunk. Going frameless on your glass gives you a simple sheet to squeegee clean. There are a number of options for coatings on glass that also help it to repel water and soap scum. Check with your glass shower door manufacturer for factory coating options. Many people recommend manually applied water repellants like Rain-X.
Need more help getting your shower glass spotless?
The aluminium frames around glass shower doors are a magnet for gunk. Going frameless on your glass gives you a simple sheet to squeegee clean. There are a number of options for coatings on glass that also help it to repel water and soap scum. Check with your glass shower door manufacturer for factory coating options. Many people recommend manually applied water repellants like Rain-X.
Need more help getting your shower glass spotless?
If you hate cleaning glass and a glass shower is not for you, consider using a shower curtain. Toss the shower curtain and its waterproof liner in the washing machine to clean it. A nice bonus to using a shower curtain is the visual warmth fabric adds to the decor.
5. Get everything off the floor
You already know I don’t like cleaning grout or glass, so imagine my thoughts on cleaning toilets. The number-one disgusting chore in a bathroom is getting on your hands and knees to clean around a toilet crammed into a narrow space with that horrible, convoluted shape on the side.
Wall-mounted toilets are easier to reach all the way around. They also make cleaning the floor easier. Notice that in this bathroom they even wall-mounted the toilet brush. Nice idea! Mounting your vanity on the wall will also make the floor easier to clean. But of course, if you have one with pretty legs like this, sometimes a decorative element is worth cleaning around.
You already know I don’t like cleaning grout or glass, so imagine my thoughts on cleaning toilets. The number-one disgusting chore in a bathroom is getting on your hands and knees to clean around a toilet crammed into a narrow space with that horrible, convoluted shape on the side.
Wall-mounted toilets are easier to reach all the way around. They also make cleaning the floor easier. Notice that in this bathroom they even wall-mounted the toilet brush. Nice idea! Mounting your vanity on the wall will also make the floor easier to clean. But of course, if you have one with pretty legs like this, sometimes a decorative element is worth cleaning around.
If you choose not to install a wall-mounted toilet, then at the very least, choose a skirted model. The smooth sides don't catch as much dust and gunk.
6. Wall-mounted faucets are a better choice than counter-mounted ones
Gravity is working for you, carrying water and soap residue away from the faucet instead of having it all collect at the base. Wall-mounted faucets also keep the counter clear, making it easier to wipe it down.
Gravity is working for you, carrying water and soap residue away from the faucet instead of having it all collect at the base. Wall-mounted faucets also keep the counter clear, making it easier to wipe it down.
Seamless stone and minimalist wall-mounted faucets are easy to clean.
7. Choose tile placement carefully
I‘ve been showing you lots of bathrooms that stay away from mosaic tile, but If you love the texture and the look, then place it where it will need the least amount of cleaning. This bathroom vanity uses solid marble slabs all around the business area of the bathroom, with the herringbone mosaic placed higher so it’s out of the splash zone.
I‘ve been showing you lots of bathrooms that stay away from mosaic tile, but If you love the texture and the look, then place it where it will need the least amount of cleaning. This bathroom vanity uses solid marble slabs all around the business area of the bathroom, with the herringbone mosaic placed higher so it’s out of the splash zone.
If you're craving texture but don't want one that tears up a sponge, there are some beautiful options out there. This crocodile texture has no sharp edges, and you can get it in large-format tiles.
This is another great example of a textural wall tile that would be much easier to clean than a mosaic tile. When you select your textural tile, run your hands over it. If it feels rough and scratchy, it is going to be a bear to clean. Ones like these feel silky and smooth, even though you can feel the high and low spots.
8. Have a place for everything
One thing that makes it easier to clean a bathroom is to have a spot for what you want to put away. No thinking about where to place it or having to organise a messy drawer to make room.
Tidy people’s bathroom organisation tricks
One thing that makes it easier to clean a bathroom is to have a spot for what you want to put away. No thinking about where to place it or having to organise a messy drawer to make room.
Tidy people’s bathroom organisation tricks
If you have the room, a washing machine and dryer in the bathroom will eliminate a lot of steps to keep towels and bath mats clean and fresh.
Do you share your bathroom with felines? Having a well-thought-out containment area for the litter will keep you from having to sweep up daily.
TELL US
What design strategies have you used to create a bathroom that lets you focus on cleaning yourself instead of grout and glass?
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Squeaky Clean Bathrooms in 12 Steps
TELL US
What design strategies have you used to create a bathroom that lets you focus on cleaning yourself instead of grout and glass?
MORE
Squeaky Clean Bathrooms in 12 Steps
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Scrubbing grout lines has to be one of the least favourite chores when cleaning a bathroom. Using solid-surface choices for your walls will save a lot of elbow grease. Stone slabs have few seam lines, and they are very thin.