You don’t need us to tell you how quickly a bathroom can go from being a relaxing oasis, to a tiny, wet, cluttered disaster zone. Between fast food shampoo bottles stacked firmly in the shower, damp towels hanging in the air, and random toothpaste splatters swirling around the counter top, the day to day madness of “cleaning” can sometimes feel unbearable.
While it may be hard to believe, small adjustments can produce big results. Here are top 10 bathroom hacks that everyone can implement tonight to get sorted. All the ideas shared below are simple, within reach (most within $10), and will allow you to complete the mindless routine in the bathroom once, leaving you with more time for things that actually deserve your attention-like that first and so far, only cup of coffee in complete peace.
1. Use a Dish Wand in the Shower
A dish wand is not just for scrubbing pots and pans! Refillable dish wands, the kind that uses interchangeable scrub pads, can also have your favorite body wash or DIY cleaning solution in them. When you throw out a loofah or washcloth that continually gets moldy, at least you have a dirty, non-replaceable fabric to worry about. A dish wand’s plastic handle and replaceable pads, however, allow you to keep your shower cleaner.
How to do it
- Choose an appropriate wand. Take a trip to Target or Walmart and pick up a clear-plastic dish wand that is sticky, using scrubber mesh pads.
- Fill it intelligently. Mix ½ cup of liquid Castile soap, ¼ cup of water, and a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil, and pour into your wand.
- Change your pads frequently. Change your scrub pad every couple of weeks.
Benefits
- No more soap-bar residue stuck to your palm.
- Reduced clutter
- Efficient scrubbing
2. Dry Towels Faster With a Fan
Damp towels retain moisture and are an ideal breeding ground for mildew after a hot shower. Running your dryer multiple times a week wastes electricity and makes towels wear out quicker. An oscillating fan accelerates faster evaporation; thus, your towels can smell fresh and clean when you need them again.
How to do it
- After taking a shower, place your towels out flat on a rack or hanger.
- Put a small fan nearby. A clip on fan to a shelf or counter will work; also a small desk fan on low works.
- Let it run for 1 – 2 hours.
Benefits
- Removes musty odors.
- Reduces energy consumption.
- Increases towel life.
3. Store Toilet Paper Rolls in a Decorative Basket or Vase
Stashing spare rolls under the sink means you’re always fumbling around when guests come over. A tall cylinder vase or woven basket keeps rolls within reach, while doubling as décor so no drilling required.
How to do it
- Pick your vessel. HomeGoods often has inexpensive wicker baskets, and IKEA carries slim glass vases perfect for holding 3–5 rolls.
- Stack strategically. Place the container beside the toilet, or on a low shelf. Stack rolls vertically so they stack up to about waist height.
Benefits
- Keeps spare rolls handy and in front of eyes
- Adds style to the room aesthetics
- Frees up under-sink space
4. Use Lemon Juice to Polish Faucets and Fixtures
Hard water build up, soap scum and fingerprints can make sinks and shower heads look dull, but lemon juice is a natural acid that removes that buildup effortlessly without any toxic chemicals, and smells great too!
How to do it
- Prep a lemon scrub. Cut a lemon in half.
- Apply baking soda to the cut side, then use that to scrub. Go in a circular motion.
- Rub the lemon on the faucets, handles, or whatever metal fixture you would like to clean.
- The baking soda provides gentle abrasion, while the citrus lifts mineral deposits.
- Rinse and buff.
- After the lemon juice has sat in place for 5 minutes, wipe away the residue with a soft, damp cloth.
- Then dry using a microfiber towel, so you don’t create more water spots.
Benefits
- No bleach, no chemical fumes, just one hundred percent citrus.
- Instant shine
- Fresh scent
5. Repurpose Cotton Rounds in an Essential-Oil Diffuser
Instead of tossing used cotton makeup pads in the trash, soak them in essential oils for a quick, disposable diffuser. This hack is perfect for tiny bathrooms without space for a bulky electrical diffuser.
How to do it
- Soak the pad. Place 1–2 drops of your favorite essential oil (lavender, eucalyptus, or peppermint) on a clean cotton round.
- Contain the scent. Tuck the saturated cotton into an empty essential-oil box, a small glass dish, or inside a used toilet-paper tube (see Hack #10).
- Replace as needed. After 2–3 days, the scent will fade. Dispose of the old cotton pad and start fresh.
Benefits
- Zero waste
- Instant aromatherapy
- Highly portable
6. Hang a Tension Rod Under the Sink for Spray Bottles
The under-sink storage cabinet is typically a mess of cleaners. With the help of a tension rod, you create a “rack” under your sink, and you can easily hang spray bottles from their trigger handles. Instant organized space.
How to do it
- Measure for width: Check the inside width of your cabinet so that you can purchase a tension rod that fits tight (they usually have varying lengths in adjustable sections).
- Position rod: Plan to place the rod half way down the height of the cabinet, high enough that the bottles won’t touch the plumbing, and low enough that the bottles don’t drag on the floor.
- Hang your cleaners: Simply place the trigger handles (if your bottle has one) over the rod. For taller bottles, you can angle them a little so they don’t slide and wobble.
Benefits
- Easy to install
- Organized storage
- You can see the cleaner you need without digging around.
7. Stick Command Hooks on Cabinet Sides for Hair Tools
Hair dryers, curling irons and straighteners are notorious for tangling cords and cluttering countertops. Command hooks are your best friend: attach them to the side of a vanity or cabinet, and hang your tools from their loops. No drilling, no damage, what isn’t to love?
How to do it
- Use the appropriate hook size. Medium-weight Command hooks (available at Walmart or CVS) will support most hair dryers and stylers.
- Prepare the surface. Use rubbing alcohol to wipe down the side of your cabinet and allow to fully dry.
- Press and wait. Remove the adhesive covering, place the hook on the desired side of the cabinet and hold for 30 seconds, wait one hour before hanging tools.
Benefits
- Saves counter space
- Burn protection
- Damage-free removal
8. Use a Lint Roller to Clean Bath Mats and Rugs
Hair, dust, and lint can pile up on bath mats faster than you can realize. Instead of dragging out a heavy duty vacuum, or shaking it outside (and hoping you don’t wake the neighbors), use a lint roller. In 60 seconds or less, you will have a hair free mat that looks like it has company coming over.
How to do it
- Roll immediately after the shower. Keeping the mat on the floor, roll the lint roller in overlapping passes to pick up the hair.
- Change sheets when needed. A lint roller lasts 3–4 months of regular use before the sheets lose their stickiness.
- Take care of extra debris. If you see some loose dirt or debris, flip the mat over and give it a quick shake outside, then roll again.
Benefits
- Quick touch-ups
- Slim and convenient
- Gentle on low-pile mats
9. Squeegee the Shower After Every Use
Glass doors and tile get dirty quickly from water spots, soap scum, and mineral deposits. One swipe a day with a squeegee prevents all of that from adhering, so you get to scrub less in the future, and you get crystal clear glass that looks like it came off a showroom floor.
How to do it
- Hang the squeegee where you can reach it. Over-the-door hooks are available for under $5 at Dollar Tree or on Amazon, making it quick and easy to set up.
- Squeegee the glass / tile from top to bottom. After each shower, run the blade along the glass or tile. As you complete each pass, wipe the blade with a microfiber cloth.
- Dry the corners.
Benefits
- Less time deep-cleaning
- Streak-free glass
- Better air flow
10. Drop Essential Oils Inside an Empty Toilet-Paper Tube
To save a LOT of money on diffusers, toilet paper cardboard tubes are a great diffuser that is literally hidden in plain sight! Each time someone pulls a piece of toilet paper, a small amount of fragrance will be released into the air. You will not need a large and clunky plug-in device. Just put a few drops of liquid fragrance (essential oil for example) in the cardboard tube, and place the toilet paper back.
How to do it
- Dry out a used roll, allowing a day for any moisture from the last printed roll to go away.
- Add liquid fragrance or essential oils. You can use 5-10 drops of essential oils (lemon, lavender or peppermint for example).
- Assemble the roll; Place the cardboard tube back on the holder and stack 2-3 new rolls on top. As the roll goes around, the fragrance will disperse into the air.
Benefits
- Completely discreet
- inexpensive
- Aroma can be adjusted
Conclusion
We all know that a million little things add up to fantastic change, it’s a million steps that all matter. These 10 bathroom hacks are all easy little changes that make a big difference, saving you time, money, and stress while keeping your space looking fresh.
Think outside the box! Use a tension rod under your sink for storage, repurpose cotton rounds to use as mini diffusers, and squeegee your shower door, before drying off. The small changes add up to clean surfaces, organized shelves, and a calm (spa-like) bathroom so that you can enjoy your am/pm without the clutter. Feel free to share this article with your friends and family.
Numrah Fareed is a freelance writer and home organization enthusiast with a passion for practical, eco-friendly living. When not typing away at her desk, she’s experimenting with DIY cleaning hacks and helping readers simplify their routines one tip at a time.