Last Updated on May 31, 2023 by Cabin Lane

If you’re looking for one cleaner that can tackle most surfaces in the bathroom, Pine-Sol is a good choice.
When undiluted Pine-Sol disinfects, making it suitable for germy areas like the sink and toilet bowl. You can dilute it to tackle the base of the toilet, shower, counters, and floor.
Pine-Sol Bathroom Cleaning Cheat Sheet
Here’s a quick rundown of dilution ratios to use Pine-Sol on bathroom surfaces. Read below for more detailed explanations.
- Toilet bowl cleaning: Add ½ cup Pine-Sol to the toilet bowl
- Sink disinfecting: Wipe out the sink and coat it with undiluted Pine-Sol, allow it to sit for ten minutes, rinse
- Floor, countertop, showers, multi-surface cleaning: Mix ¼ cup Pine-Sol with one gallon of water
- Stain treatment (hard surfaces): Put undiluted Pine-Sol on the stain for ten minutes, scrub, and rinse
Top 5 Ways to Clean the Bathroom with Pine-Sol
Mixing Pine-Sol with Water to Make a Multi-Surface Cleaner
To make a multi-surface cleaner, mix ¼ cup of Pine-Sol with one gallon of warm water. Use this solution to clean floors, walls, countertops, and other surfaces in the bathroom. Dip a mop or cloth into the solution and wipe down the surfaces.
There’s no need to rinse Pine-Sol when using it diluted.
Clean Toilets with Pine-Sol
Pour ½ cup of Pine-Sol into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then, scrub with a toilet bowl brush and flush the toilet. For tough stains, repeat the process or let the solution sit overnight.
Disinfect Your Sink with Pine-Sol
Sinks are one of the germiest areas in the home. You can use Pine-Sol to disinfect any hard, non-porous surface. So, as long as your bathroom sink isn’t natural stone, here’s what to do:
- Wipe out toothpaste/gunk with a wet wash rag
- Coat the sink with undiluted Pine Sol and allow it to sit for ten minutes
- Wipe and rinse
Cleaning Your Bathtub and Shower with Pine-Sol
To clean your bathtub and shower, mix ½ cup of Pine-Sol with one gallon of warm water. Use a microfiber cloth or soft-bristled shower brush to clean the surfaces, paying particular attention to areas with soap scum or mildew. If you have problem areas, reapply the cleaner and leave it for a few minutes before scrubbing. Rinse and then dry with a towel.
Using Pine-Sol for Tough Stains
If you’re dealing with tough stains in your bathroom, Pine-Sol can be a lifesaver. You can use it on hard non-porous surfaces like linoleum or ceramic tile floors, countertops, and toilet bowl seats.
- Apply undiluted Pine-Sol to the stain.
- Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Scrub the area with a brush or sponge
- Rinse with water.
For stubborn stains, repeat the process a few times.
Can You Put Pine-Sol in the Toilet Tank?
Don’t put Pine-Sol in the toilet tank – it can damage the rubber and plastic components inside. Stick to using Pine-Sol in the toilet bowl only.
What Else to Consider
Avoid these mistakes when cleaning the bathroom with Pine-Sol.
- Never mix Pine-Sol with other cleaning products or bleach, as this can create dangerous fumes.
- Don’t use Pine-Sol on marble countertops. It can etch them, resulting in dull spots.
- Avoid dipping your dirty rag in your Pine-Sol and water bucket. Instead, rinse it in the sink before rewetting it with your cleaning solution.

Katie Barton is the owner of Cabin Lane. She's also a home improvement writer for Bob Vila and Homedit. Her cleaning and organizing advice has been featured on Realtor.com, Yahoo News, GoBankingRates, and more. In her spare time, you can find her with a paintbrush in hand, searching for her next project.