Cleaning the toilet is the number one chore that the American people despise. It’s no wonder – it’s a germ-infested wonderland! However, to prevent disease and sickness, toilet cleaning must be done.
If you’re that lucky person who’s stuck cleaning the porcelain god, don’t grunt and grumble! Toilet maintenance is an important task, so it’s equally essential that the cleaning method is sufficient. Here’s a list of 10 tips that will get your toilet sparkling in no time.
10 Easy Toilet Cleaning Tricks to Try Now
When it comes to toilet products, you’re probably looking for ones that specialize in killing germs and provide general upkeep to keep things running smoothly. However, sometimes less is more. Using too much cleaner can result in septic problems, which leads to more chaos with the can.
Here are some of the best tips to keep your toilet happy.
1. Vinegar, And Baking Soda Bombs
Vinegar and baking soda are the stars of many DIY cleaners and for a good reason. Bleach is often the chosen cleaner to kill germs, but vinegar reigns as far as safety and gets the job done, too. If you have children, it’s paramount that your cleaners are as safe as possible.
Baking soda and vinegar are a powerful combination, and since they’re already in the pantry of most homes, they’re also very convenient. Using baking soda, dish soap, molds, and Epsom salt, create your toilet-bowl bombs to get your toilet sparkling.
2. Maintain Upkeep
Besides keeping your toilet pristine and germ-free, it’s equally important to maintain it. As you clean, be sure to check for any leaks or clogged drains. Never flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the drain, as this leads to more significant and more expensive problems.
If you find you cannot unclog a drain on your own, always call a professional.
3. Try Baby Oil
Banishing germs shouldn’t be your only concern when it comes to a clean toilet. You want your bathroom to look inviting and spot-free – an elegant place to do your business!
Buffing your toilet – including the fixtures – with baby oil will make it shine all over. Be sure to use a soft cloth and nothing abrasive to avoid scratching and damaging the surface.
4. Plastic Bottle in The Tank
Newer toilets now use much less water, but the older toilets would use up 6 gallons of water! If you have a former model, to save water, consider putting a full soda liter bottle in the tank
5. Pumice Stone For Stains
A pumice stone isn’t just excellent for your feet. Use a pumice stone to “scrub” away stubborn stains – but careful. Always start with a warm-soaked stone, so you don’t scratch your toilet.
6. Sanitize With Peroxide
Again, bleach can be used to kill germs, but if you’re concerned about safety, use hydrogen peroxide. To disinfect, you’ll need to use 3% hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for 10 minutes. Even though it’s environmentally friendly, be sure to use white rags or cloth to clean with, as it can bleach fibers.
7. Nail Polish
No, the toilet doesn’t need its nails painted. Clear nail polish can work wonders to prevent rust from forming when applied to screws and bolts of the toilet lid.
8. Unclog Pipes With Hot Water
Having a clogged toilet is a nightmare, and sometimes it’s equally challenging to unclog it. You being to wonder what the problem is and serious clogs can cost you, big time. Using hot water (almost boiling, but NOT boiling – you could damage the bowl or pipes) and dish soap, pour both of these down the toilet to loosen the clog.
9. Cola?
Strange, but some people swear by it. When a ring appears around your toilet bowl grab a can of Coca-Cola, pour it directly into the bowl, and allow it to sit for a couple of hours. The carbonation works to break down any stains and residue, and after an hour or so, scrub away with a toilet bowl brush.
10. Don’t Forget Underneath
Under the toilet seat probably isn’t pretty, but it shouldn’t be neglected! If you have a removable toilet seat, remove the lid and scrub any dirty spots you see.
The underside of the toilet bowl rim is equally as dirty and probably ignored. No one sees what happens under there! To remove excess mildew, try applying Borax and vinegar and allow it to sit for several hours, which kills any mold that might be lurking.
How Often Should A Toilet be Cleaned?
While cleaning the toilet isn’t something at the forefront of your mind, it’s a chore that has to be done, even if it stinks.
Daily maintenance would include scrubbing the inside of the bowl with a toilet brush to remove debris and wipe down the outside with a cleaner and cloth if there are any visible signs of dirt.
Once a week should be devoted to deep cleaning. This is where the entire toilet is cleaned thoroughly, top to bottom, inside to outside. Clean the bowl, rims, lids, hardware, and everything else, so it’s sparkling and germ-free.
Toilet Cleaning: Not So Stinky After All
Once you master toilet cleaning, it’s not so terrible. Sure, many people wrinkle their nose at the thought, but with a bit of practice and understanding a few toilet-cleaning hacks, it will be done in no time.
Are you looking for a local plumber to service all your toilet woes? With 30 years of experience, we’ve seen plenty of toilets! Contact us today to see how we can help!
That’s strange that some people use cola to clean their toilets! I’d be worried about pouring odd substances down the toilet, but maybe it would work. My toilet has a few too many problems, so I would probably end up calling a plumber if I tried it!
Yes, using soda does seem weird, but it really has awesome results! Thanks for your comment, Mindy!