If you want your home to be sparkling clean, the bathroom is a great place to start. The bathroom gets a lot of use over the course of a typical day, and regular cleaning helps you stay one step ahead of the stains, and the smells.

When it comes to a big job like cleaning the bathroom, the right preparation can make a world of difference. If you would rather spend your day doing other things, taking a systematic approach to cleaning the bathroom can reduce the time you have to spend. Here are the essential elements of your bathroom cleaning checklist.

1. Clean your showerhead. Fill a plastic grocery bag with your favorite cleaning and descaling solution, tie it around the showerhead and let it sit. By the time the rest of your cleaning is done, the showerhead will be as well.
2. Fill your toilet bowl with a cup of white vinegar and spray more vinegar directly on any stains you see. Let the vinegar do its job while you finish the rest of your bathroom cleaning.
3. Remove the throw rugs and set them aside. You can vacuum the rugs before putting them back down.
4. Use a mop or floor cleaner to remove accumulated debris from the bathroom tile. You can vacuum those throw rugs while you wait for the floor to dry.
5. Clean the mirror with your favorite glass cleaner. A mix of water and vinegar is a good natural alternative to commercial glass cleaner.
6. Spray the sink with your favorite cleaner and allow it to soak in. Use a spray bottle of clean water, or the nozzle on the sink, to rinse away the cleanser.
7. Clean the walls of the tub and shower. Spray the walls with your favorite cleanser and let the cleaner soak in while you continue to clean the bathroom.
8. Wipe the shower curtain and rings with a mix of dishwashing soap and water. Use your spray bottle of water to clean off the soap and leave your shower curtain looking great.
9. Clean out your medicine cabinet. Go through the medicine cabinet and discard expired medications and anything else you do not need.
10. Pull the plastic bag off your showerhead and wipe away any residue. Use your newly cleaned showerhead to wash the cleanser off the walls of your bath and shower.
11. Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe down the faucets. Buff the fixtures to a high shine.
12. Flush the toilet to remove the vinegar you placed their earlier. Give any remaining stains a good scrubbing.
13. Remove dust and dirt from the bathroom vents with the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
14. Put your throw rugs in place, stand back and admire your work.

Cleaning the bathroom does not have to be a chore. If you time everything right, you can let your cleansers and chemicals do the work for you. When you are done, you can enjoy your clean bathroom and still have time for the things you really want to do.