Complete Bathroom Sanitisation Guide

Bathrooms demand a higher standard of cleanliness than perhaps any other room in your home. They're warm, humid environments where bacteria and mould thrive, yet they're where we perform our most personal hygiene routines. Traditional bathroom cleaning often relies on harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia—effective but potentially hazardous, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Steam cleaning offers a powerful alternative that delivers hospital-grade sanitisation using only water.

Why Steam Excels in Bathrooms

Bathrooms and steam cleaning are a natural match for several reasons:

• Mould and mildew destruction: Steam kills mould at temperatures above 60°C; steam cleaners operate well above 100°C
• Grout penetration: Steam reaches into porous grout where traditional cleaning can't
• No chemical fumes: Critical in enclosed bathroom spaces where ventilation may be limited
• Soap scum dissolution: Heat breaks down soap residue efficiently
• Bacteria elimination: Toilets, sinks, and shower floors get genuine sanitisation

Shower Recess: Your Biggest Challenge

Showers are mould magnets—constant moisture, warmth, and organic matter (skin cells, soap residue) create ideal conditions for growth. Steam cleaning transforms shower maintenance.

Tiled Shower Walls

1. Start at the top and work down
2. Use overlapping passes with a flat or triangular attachment
3. Focus extra time on corners where mould concentrates
4. For heavy mould, hold the steam nozzle closer and slower
5. Wipe down with a squeegee or cloth to remove loosened grime

Shower Grout

Grout is porous and traps mould, soap scum, and bacteria. Steam cleaning can dramatically improve discoloured grout:

• Use a concentrated nozzle or grout brush attachment
• Work slowly along grout lines, allowing heat to penetrate
• Scrub with the brush attachment immediately after steaming
• For severely stained grout, multiple sessions may be needed
• Consider resealing grout after deep cleaning to prevent future staining

Shower Glass and Screens

Steam removes soap scum and water marks from glass effectively:

• Use a squeegee or window attachment
• Work in vertical strips from top to bottom
• Immediately wipe with a microfibre cloth for streak-free finish
• For heavy buildup, you may need to steam and wipe multiple times
• Clean both sides of glass doors

Shower Floor and Drain

• Steam the entire floor surface thoroughly
• Pay special attention to the drain area where bacteria concentrate
• Use a concentrated nozzle to clean around and inside the drain cover
• Steam non-slip surfaces with a brush attachment for best results

Bathtubs

Bathtubs accumulate soap rings, body oils, and bacteria. Different tub materials require slightly different approaches:

Acrylic and Fibreglass Tubs

• Use medium steam settings to avoid potential damage
• Work in sections, wiping as you go
• Pay attention to the waterline where soap scum builds up
• Clean the overflow drain opening

Porcelain and Cast Iron Tubs

• These can handle higher steam temperatures
• Steam is excellent for removing stubborn stains
• Clean the exterior of freestanding tubs as well

Spa and Jetted Tubs

• Steam clean the tub surface as normal
• Use a concentrated nozzle to clean around jet openings
• For jet internals, run a cleaning cycle per manufacturer instructions

Toilets: Complete Sanitisation

Toilets harbour significant bacteria and deserve thorough steam sanitisation. Steam cleaning reaches areas traditional scrubbing often misses.

The Complete Toilet Clean

1. Exterior first: Steam the outside of the bowl, base, and tank
2. Seat and lid: Both top and bottom surfaces, including hinges
3. Under the rim: Use a concentrated nozzle to reach this hard-to-clean area
4. Inside the bowl: Steam around the bowl, above the water line
5. Flush handle: High-touch surface that's often overlooked
6. Around the base: Where the toilet meets the floor

Sinks and Vanities

Bathroom sinks see heavy use and harbour bacteria around drains and taps.

Sink Basin

• Steam the entire basin surface
• Focus on the drain opening and overflow hole
• Clean around the tap base where grime collects
• For different sink materials (ceramic, stone, stainless), adjust steam levels as needed

Taps and Fixtures

• Steam removes water spots and soap buildup
• Use detail attachments for intricate fixtures
• Clean tap handles thoroughly—they're touched constantly
• Dry chrome and metal fixtures immediately for best shine

Vanity Unit and Benchtop

• Steam clean benchtop surfaces
• Clean cabinet doors and handles
• Don't forget the inside of cabinets during deep cleans
• Steam around the benchtop-to-wall seal

Mirrors

Bathroom mirrors accumulate toothpaste splatter, water spots, and general haze. Steam leaves them sparkling:

1. Use a squeegee or window attachment
2. Start at the top corner
3. Work in overlapping vertical stripes
4. Wipe immediately with a clean, dry microfibre cloth
5. Buff any remaining streaks with a second dry cloth

Floor Tiles and Grout

Bathroom floors need regular sanitisation, especially around toilets and in high-moisture areas.

• Sweep or vacuum loose debris first
• Steam mop the entire floor
• Use grout attachments for grout lines
• Pay special attention to areas around the toilet base
• Clean behind toilets and in corners
• Ensure the floor dries completely to prevent slip hazards

Exhaust Fans and Vents

Often neglected, exhaust fans accumulate dust and reduce efficiency:

• Turn off the fan at the circuit breaker before cleaning
• Remove the cover if possible
• Steam clean the cover and interior blades (if accessible)
• Wipe dry thoroughly
• Replace cover and restore power

Tackling Mould

Mould is the arch-enemy of bathrooms. Here's how to combat it with steam:

Surface Mould

• Steam kills mould on contact
• Work slowly to allow heat penetration
• Wipe away dead mould immediately
• Change cloths frequently to avoid spreading spores

Recurring Mould Prevention

• Steam clean mould-prone areas weekly
• Improve bathroom ventilation
• Wipe down shower walls after each use
• Address any leaks promptly
• Consider leaving bathroom door or window open after showers

Your Bathroom Steam Cleaning Routine

Quick Weekly Clean (15-20 minutes)

• Steam mop the floor
• Quick steam of toilet exterior and seat
• Steam sink and tap
• Quick pass over shower walls

Fortnightly Deep Clean (45-60 minutes)

• Full shower clean including grout
• Complete toilet sanitisation
• Sink, vanity, and mirror
• Floor including grout lines
• Bath/tub if applicable

Monthly Thorough Clean (90+ minutes)

• All of the above plus:
• Exhaust fan
• Inside cabinets
• Light fixtures (careful with electricity)
• Towel rails and hooks
• Door handles and surfaces

Essential Attachments for Bathroom Steam Cleaning

Make sure your steam cleaner kit includes:

• Concentrated nozzle: For grout, drains, and detail work
• Triangular or flat head: For tiled surfaces
• Brush attachment: For scrubbing grout and textured tiles
• Squeegee/window tool: For glass and mirrors
• Small detail brush: For taps and fixtures

A steam-cleaned bathroom isn't just visibly clean—it's genuinely sanitised. You can feel confident knowing that surfaces your family touches are free from bacteria and mould, achieved without filling your home with chemical fumes. That's bathroom cleaning done right.