Best bathroom cleaner: 6 top picks to blitz grime in the bathroom

Armed with the best bathroom cleaner, you can tackle soap scum and grime in a flash

best bathroom cleaner: white bathroom with plenty of natural light
(Image credit: Huit design/Chad Mellon photography)

While it might not be the most exciting task, cleaning the bathroom is pretty essential when it comes to housekeeping and the best bathroom cleaner will make the job a breeze. You spend a considerable proportion of your life in the washroom. With that in mind, it only makes sense to keep your bathroom as fresh as a daisy.

Gone are the days of endless scrubbing in the shower room – thanks, in large part, to the plethora of handy bathroom cleaners out there. Whether the bane of your bathroom is limescale, watermarks, tough stains or simply soap scum, there's something to help. Available as sprays or also cleaning stones, the cleaners come with their own unique benefits and quirks. Ideal for more conscientious buyers, you can now find cruelty-free, vegan, non-abrasive, fume-free, organic or plant-based options. And if you can't stand the smell of bleach, there are some more fragrant picks, too.

When browsing our roster, be sure to check out some of the key specs we've listed, such as size and type, and pointers on what the product is best for. It's also wise to consider some of the downsides we've noted. For example, some products aren't suitable for use on particular surfaces. Oh, and seeing as you're here already, why not go all out? See our pick of the best toilet cleaners to get your loo as fresh as can be, too.

The best bathroom cleaners

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Astonish Bathroom Cleaner

(Image credit: Astonish)

1. Astonish Bathroom Cleaner

The best bathroom cleaner: this spray will have your bathroom gleaming in no time

Specifications

Best for: All rounder
Type: Spray
Size: 750ml

Reasons to buy

+
Cruelty-free and vegan
+
Removes the toughest of stains

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't be used on marble, enamel baths, limestone and porous surfaces

This bathroom cleaning product can remove limescale, soap scum and tough stains, leaving your surfaces bright and clean. A great product for deep cleaning your bath in particular, it removes watermarks with ease. 

As for the rest of the bathroom, your taps and shower head will be sparkling in minutes. Simply spray the product onto your surface and leave for one or two minutes. Wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge and you're done!

It should be noted though, that it can't be used on marble, enamel baths, limestone and porous surfaces. For these surfaces use Astonish Cream Cleaner

Vamoose Bathroom Cleaner

2. Vamoose Bathroom Cleaner

Best bathroom cleaner for scent: a deep foaming cleaner that smells particularly pleasant

Specifications

Best for: Scent
Type: Spray
Size: 1ltr

Reasons to buy

+
Smells great
+
Leaves glass super clean
+
Suitable for septic tanks

Reasons to avoid

-
Not suitable for use on copper or brass fittings

As well as being pretty incredible at removing soap scum, this bathroom cleaner also smells surprisingly pleasant. In fact, some may go as far as to say that it actually smells nice.

Great on taps, tiles, shower screens and baths, it removes stains without having to scrub. You simply spray the product onto your surface and wipe clean – it's as easy as that. For limescale or heavy soiling, leave to soak for two to three minutes before wiping.

You can't use it on copper or brass fittings, but in our opinion, this is the best bathroom cleaner for those who want a sparkling bathroom but don't like the usual bleach-y smell.

Ecover Bathroom Cleaner

(Image credit: Ecover)

3. Ecover Bathroom Cleaner

Best eco-friendly bathroom cleaner: choose this bathroom cleaner if you're conscious about protecting the planet

Specifications

Best for: Eco
Type: Spray
Size: 500ml

Reasons to buy

+
Eco-friendly
+
Cruelty free and vegan
+
Suitable for septic tanks

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't be used on marble and natural stones

Made using plant-based ingredients, this eco-friendly bathroom cleaner is the best choice for those who are trying to be more green. Especially as the bottle is 100 per cent recyclable.

Oh, and it also does a pretty good job at cutting through soap scum and limescale. Spray bathroom cleaner on to your surfaces and wipe dry with a cloth; for tough stains leave for a few minutes before rinsing with water.

It's worth noting that it can't be used on marble and natural stones, and if you're thinking of using on painted surfaces, it's a good idea to test it on a hidden area first.

Biomex Miracle Kitchen & Bathroom Multi Surface Cleaner

(Image credit: Biomex)

4. Biomex Miracle Kitchen & Bathroom Multi Surface Cleaner

Best solid bathroom cleaner: this multi-purpose cleaner works wonders on metals and more

Specifications

Best for: Metals
Type: Cleaning stone
Size: 500ml

Reasons to buy

+
Comes with sponge
+
Lasts for a long time
+
Nice smell
+
Natural

Reasons to avoid

-
Some may prefer a spray

Aside from effectively cleaning bathrooms, this solid cleaner removes dirt, limescale, oil, calcium build-up and grease while leaving a fresh lemon scent behind.

Non-abrasive and organic, it features only biological and biodegradable ingredients to dissolve grease and grime from your household surfaces. Use on your taps and shower head for a guaranteed shine. It comes with a sponge, which needs to be moist before use. Wipe the sponge on the Bio-Mex, squeeze to produce a foam and you're off. Rinse with a damp cloth and wipe with a dry cloth to see the effect.

You can also use it on your pots and pans for a real transformation. And because it's extremely concentrated, it'll last for ages.

best bathroom cleaner: Power & Gentle ECOlogical Bathroom Cleaner

5. Lakeland Power & Gentle ECOlogical Bathroom Cleaner

Best gentle bathroom cleaner: this fume-free sprays is surprisingly effective, despite its gentle ingredients

Specifications

Best for: Fume-free
Type: Spray
Size: 500ml

Reasons to buy

+
Fume free
+
Eco

Reasons to avoid

-
Not suitable for use on marble or granite

Fume-free with a pleasant hint of sweet basil, this bathroom cleaner isn't just eco-friendly, but it's also gentle on your surfaces and the planet.

It can shift soap scum and limescale effectively, and the bottle is biodegradable. To use, just shake, spray and wipe clean with a damp cloth – easy peasy. It's best not to use it on marble or granite though, as it may cause damage.

HG Shower & Washbasin Spray Cleaner

(Image credit: HG)

6. HG Shower & Washbasin Spray Cleaner

Best gentle bathroom cleaner for showers: grubby tile walls are no match for this

Specifications

Best for: Scale-ridden shower cubicles
Type: Spray
Size: 500ml

Reasons to buy

+
Suitable for marble
+
Easy to use
+
Everyday use

Reasons to avoid

-
Synthetic

Ideal for daily use, this spray from HG can be used on both washbasins, plastic shower cubicles and tiled walls. A mild and safe product, it takes down limescale with ease, as well as soap residue and skin grease. Oh, and you'll be pleased to hear that it's suitable for use on calciferous natural stones, too. Enamel, travertine and marble? Check. 

As for the cleaning process itself, it's an absolute breeze. Simply spray the surface you wish to clean, leave the cleaner to work its magic, and then rinse. Et voilà. Another thing worth noting: it can be used on taps and sanitaryware as well. That said, a little annoyingly, it doesn't work on water stains, nor is it a disinfectant. 

How to buy the best bathroom cleaner

When it comes to buying the best bathroom cleaner, it's worth thinking carefully about the space you're looking to clean and the types of materials used in your bathroom. We'd recommend bearing the following factors in mind:

Application method
While bathroom cleaners often come in the form of spray bottles, one product on our list is a cleaning block that works once water is added. Some products need to be sprayed and left to work for a bit, so plan the order of cleaning around this (leave the product to work on the sink while you tackle the loo). For more tips see our guide on how to clean a bathroom.

Best for...
We've got something for everyone, whether you're eco-conscious, looking for a nice-smelling cleaner or something to leave your taps shining. Some bathroom cleaners are great all rounders, while others are designed for use in hard limescale areas – a must if hard water leaves streaks on your sanitaryware.

Materials
Always read the label as some bathroom cleaners cannot be used on certain materials that are common in a bathroom. Anything very acidic can damage enameled surfaces and take particular care if you have powder coated taps and fittings that won't cope with anything too abrasive.

Bathroom cleaner safety
As with the majority of cleaning products, before you apply a bathroom cleaner, you should open your windows to allow fresh air to circulate. 

With these tips, you can get your bathroom sparkling in no time. However, is your bathroom looking grim beyond repair? Our feature on bathroom ideas offers you the best tips and trends for a washroom makeover.

Annie Collyer
Head Ecommerce Editor

Hi! I'm Annie, and I'm the Head Ecommerce Editor at Real Homes. I've been part of the Real Homes team since 2018, when I joined as Deals Editor. Along with covering major sales events — from Black Friday to Amazon Prime Day — I review home must-haves so that you can buy with peace of mind. Mostly focusing on home fragrance and sleep, as well as a few vacuum cleaners, I've tested pretty much every item you can think of that you need in your home. I live on the outskirts of the city in a two-bed apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug. So I am always searching for compact alternatives and ways to save floor space. What about when I am not typing away? Well, you'll find me enjoying an iced coffee (no matter the season) and trying out the latest brunch spots the city has to offer, or booking my next holiday. Where else can you find my words? Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, Gardeningetc, and Woman & Home.

SPONSORS