8 Reasons Your Bathroom Is So Dusty—and What to Do About It

A thin layer on top of your toilet tank. Some buildup on the windowsill. Accumulation in the corner. Yes, we’re talking about dust in the bathroom. No matter how often we clean it, it always seems to come back quickly. But for a room where so much water is used, how do our bathrooms get so dusty? As it turns out, it’s from a combination of factors, including poor ventilation, towel lint, and (shudder) dead skin cells. Here are eight reasons why your bathroom is so dusty, and expert tips to help keep it clean.

Why Do Bathrooms Get So Dusty?

If your bathroom seems like it’s constantly coated in a layer of dust, you’re not alone. “Bathrooms might seem like they should stay clean since they’re often damp, but they’re actually ideal places for dust to build up,” says Alicia Sokolowski, cleaning and laundry expert. There are several factors that contribute to making bathrooms especially dusty.

Lint

One of the main culprits of bathroom dust is lint: “Tiny fibers from towels and toilet paper that get released into the air whenever we dry off or unroll a roll,” Sokolowski explains. That’s right: toilet paper produces lint, too. And those super-soft fuzzy bath mats? Those not only give off lint, but they tend to trap dirt and dust as well. Plus, as cleaning expert Aminah Vieira points out, the clothing we change out of or into when we shower can also be a source of lint.

Dead Skin Cells

It’s gross, but true. Regardless of where dust is located, it’s largely made up of dead skin cells, so it makes sense that it’s present in the room where we towel off after a shower and use a pumice stone on our feet.

Hair

We comb, brush, and wash our hair in the bathroom, so it should be no surprise that hair—and dead skin cells from the scalp—contribute to the dust. On top of that, there’s the hair we remove when shaving. “Hair, whether long or short, also sheds and sticks to surfaces easily,” Sokolowski says.

Dirt and Debris

And we can’t forget about all the dirt and debris that comes into the bathroom on our feet, clothes, or even pets, Sokolowski says. Whatever we track inside combines with the existing dust, creating more of it that can spread around.

Moisture

Between the sink, toilet, and shower, a lot of water is used in the bathroom—which can make it quite a damp environment. “Moisture itself doesn’t create dust, but it lumps dust particles together and makes them stick to surfaces faster, so it becomes more visible compared to drier rooms where dust just floats instead of settling down,” says Jimmy Hiller, plumbing and HVAC expert.

And because bathrooms are humid, the moisture grabs onto airborne particles and makes them cling more stubbornly to surfaces, turning regular dust into a grimy film that’s harder to clean, Sokolowski notes.

Soap Scum and Product Residue

Unless your bathroom is sparkling clean 100% of the time, there are parts of the sink, shower, and tub that tend to develop soap scum and/or product residue from shampoos, conditioners, and body washes. Because these surfaces tend to be sticky, they’re especially good at trapping and collecting dust.

Deteriorating Grout

When grout gets dry, tiny bits flake off constantly and mix into the dust you see on floors, counters, and in corners, Hiller says. “You’ll know it’s a deteriorating caulk or grout if dust returns to the surface within a day of cleaning,” he explains.

Extractor Fans

You run the extractor fan to reduce moisture levels in your bathroom, but believe it or not, it can also make your dust worse. While the fan does remove water vapor from the air and surfaces, it also sucks in the existing dust in a bathroom. Unless the fan is cleaned regularly, dust eventually starts to build up on the blades, and when you turn the extractor fan on, it releases that dust back onto bathroom surfaces.

How to Get Rid of Dust in a Bathroom

So let’s say that your bathroom is already pretty dusty. Don’t worry—we’re here to help. Here are some of the most effective strategies for removing dust from a bathroom.

Start at the Top

Before you tackle the dust at eye-level, start at the top. “Dust the ceiling, light fixtures, vents, and shelves first, so all the dust falls down for easier cleanup later,” Sokolowski says. Vieira recommends using an extendable duster on the highest parts of the room.

Vacuum

Instead of spreading the dust around with a rag, vacuum up as much of it as possible, Hiller says. Before getting started, shake out any rugs or towels in the room to get rid of loose lint and fibers. Then, vacuum everything, including all edges, corners, the area behind the toilet and cabinets, and the baseboards. Don’t forget to use the vacuum’s attachments for the hard-to-reach places. “To prevent dust from spreading out when vacuuming, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and a brush attachment if possible,” Hiller says.

Use a Damp Microfiber Cloth

If you’re not going to vacuum, don’t start wiping down bathroom surfaces using a dry cloth—according to Sokolowski, that just moves the particles around. Instead, use a damp microfiber cloth, which traps and lifts dust from surfaces like counters, baseboards, and toilet tanks. Why microfiber? Unlike paper towels, the material typically doesn’t produce lint.

Clean the Vent Covers and Extractor Fan

If your bathroom is dusty, there’s a good chance your vent covers and extractor fan blades are too, so be sure to clean them. “Once a month, clean the vent covers inside and out, because dust builds up there and gets blown around every time you run the fan,” Hiller says.

Clean Mirrors

Dust can cling to steam-coated mirrors, so use a streak-free cleaner and microfiber cloth to clean them, Sokolowski says.

How to Prevent Your Bathroom From Getting Dusty

While it’s impossible to completely prevent all dust in your bathroom, there are several things you can do to reduce the amount that forms and clings to surfaces. We’ve already discussed some of the strategies—like using a microfiber cloth, vacuuming regularly, and cleaning your vents and extractor fan—above, but here are a few more that’ll help keep dust out of your bathroom.

Reduce Humidity

Humidity equals dusty surfaces, so turn on an exhaust fan and/or crack a window open to ensure there’s adequate ventilation in the bathroom, Hiller says.

Minimize Lint

If you’re serious about cutting down on bathroom dust, you may want to rethink your linens situation. Instead of thick, fluffy towels, consider thinner ones made from Turkish cotton or linen, Hiller says. “They don’t shed as much lint, dry quicker, and make it a lot easier to minimize dust,” he explains. You may also want to trade fabric curtains for blinds, and a fuzzy bath mat for one made of bamboo, stone, or foam. Plus, if you have the option, store your towels in cabinets instead of out in the open.

Keep Surfaces Dry

Regularly wipe down counters, tiles, floors, and walls after a shower or bath. “Moisture can mix with dust and turn into grime,” Sokolowski says.

Declutter

The more you have out on your bathroom counters, the more surfaces there are for dust to settle on, Sokolowski says. For this reason, regularly declutter your bathroom, and store as much as possible in drawers and cabinets.

Close the Toilet Lid

The toilet is also a source of moisture in the bathroom. “Flushing with the lid open can spray tiny particles into the air, adding to dust buildup,” Sokolowski explains.

Wash Textiles Often

Hand towels, bath towels, rugs, bath mats, cloth curtains, and even shower curtains can hold dust and shed fibres, so Sokolowski recommends washing them regularly. “These trap dust and lint, especially in humid environments,” she says.

Avoid Storing Books or Magazines

Some people keep their bathroom stocked with reading materials, but Sokolowski says this is a bad idea. “[Books and magazines] collect dust easily and shouldn’t be kept in humid spaces like bathrooms,” she says.

Put Hair Ties and Brushes Away

Store hair ties and brushes in closed containers. “These often-overlooked items can collect and shed dust,” Sokolowski says.

Use an Air Purifier

Consider using an air purifier with a HEPA filter to reduce airborne particles before they settle on your bathroom surfaces, Vieira says.