6 Things That Are Actually Making Your Bathroom Look Grosser Than It Is, Cleaners Say

It is somewhat ironic that bathrooms, a space meant for cleaning, are a challenge to keep tidy. As many times as we wipe down the bathroom sink and squeegee the shower doors, sometimes bathrooms can seem constantly dirty.

However, in many cases, the areas of our bathrooms that need a little attention are the ones we are quick to overlook.

We spoke with two cleaning professionals to discover common things that make bathrooms appear dirtier than they actually are, as well as solutions to help you finally make your bathroom look clean.

Outdated Lighting

It’s common knowledge that lighting has a massive impact on the design of a room, but our experts say it can also make or break the appearance of cleanliness.

“Outdated or dirty fixtures can cast mottled light that warps shadows and emphasizes imperfections, even on clean surfaces,” says Farook Member, a bathroom design expert and the director at QS Supplies.

If your budget allows, replace your outdated bathroom lighting with modern fixtures. If you’re looking for a more affordable way to spruce up the space, Member says swapping out your current bulbs with a warmer LED option (specifically around 2700K) will help your bathroom feel like a spa.

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Discolored or Cracked Caulking

Even after a deep clean, sometimes bathtubs still appear dirty. According to Sofia Martinez, the founder and CEO at Sparkly Maid Austin, one of the most common explanations for this issue isn’t actually the tub itself, but the caulking around it.

“Once the caulking starts to yellow or crack, it can give the impression of dirt and negligence,” she says.

Fortunately, repairing old caulking is easier than you might expect. Martinez suggests using a plastic scraping tool to remove the old caulking, then wiping the area with rubbing alcohol to get rid of residue.

Once the surface has dried, apply a new bead of mold-resistant silicone caulk, smoothing it to finish with a wet finger or the caulk tool. Don’t forget to let the caulk cure for at least 24 hours before using the area.

Grimy Light Switch Plates and Door Handles

When it’s time to clean the bathroom, we’re quick to check off tasks like wiping down countertops and cleaning the toilet bowl.

However, many of us forget to clean high-touch areas like light switches and door handles. Unfortunately, even the cleanest bathroom will still appear dirty if these areas are neglected.

“High-touch areas like these accumulate fingerprints, makeup, and soap scum, and since they don’t fall into a regular cleaning routine, they have a tendency to get overlooked,” says Member. “Replacing old switch plates or even just wiping them down with a magic eraser takes under a minute and makes the room look newer and better maintained.”

Hard Water Buildup

Cloudy hard water stains on your faucets and fixtures are a direct result of high mineral content in the water.

While that explanation may not sound gross, mineral deposits can make your bathroom appear unclean. If you’re struggling to get rid of pesky hard water buildup, Martinez has a easy, natural solution.

“Soak a couple of paper towels or cotton rounds in white vinegar and place them directly onto the deposits,” says Martinez. “Leave them for around 30 minutes, then, using a soft toothbrush, scrub away the deposits with some baking soda.”

Don’t forget to rinse away the remaining vinegar and residue and dry thoroughly to prevent more mineral deposits from accumulating.

Stained or Uneven Grout

Like caulking, grout is another material that can become stained or cracked over time. It’s not technically “dirty,” but it certainly spoils the clean aesthetic.

“Grout is one of those stealthy saboteurs,” says Member. “It can be immaculately clean and yet make tile appear dirty if the lines are uneven, cracked, or patchy in color.”

For renters, Member says a simple grout pen is a cheap solution for whitening faded spots, but for homeowners, he recommends regrouting areas that get a lot of traffic, such as the shower floor, every few years.

Old, Foggy Mirrors

While you can certainly clean fingerprints and toothpaste splatter off of your bathroom mirror, older mirrors may become distorted, chipped, or splotchy as they age. As a result, the whole room may appear dim and foggy.

A DIY glass cleaner can help, but if you’re still struggling to achieve the level of cleanliness you want, you can frame out the mirror with stick-on molding or replace the mirror entirely.

Minor improvements made to a mirror reflect across the whole bathroom, making the space feel lighter and larger.