Cleaning the toilet is an essential part of life but few people clean it properly. It’s not a difficult task but it’s certainly hassle.
Surprisingly, many people clean their toilet the wrong way. One week after cleaning the toilet develops new stains and that unsightly toilet bowl ring around the inside just won’t budge.
Cleaning your toilet properly will have lasting effects and reduce the frequency you have to clean it. A simple toilet brush is a great start, however there are additional items that are key to cleaning your toilet properly.
In this article I’ll share the essential items you’ll need to properly clean your toilet and one key tip you’ll need to get rid of buildup and that pesky toilet bowl ring.
How To Properly Clean Your Toilet
Essential Items:
- Toilet Brush
- Vinegar (white or the cheapest available)
- TIME
Optional Items:
- Pumice Stone
- Gloves
Most households have a toilet brush and vinegar. Vinegar is my preferred toilet cleaner because it’s a strong acid, cheap, and environmentally friendly. I bought a bottle last week and it was just under 2 dollars – it will last approximately 3 cleanings.
A toilet brush and vinegar will do a good job of cleaning but the key to it cleaning is TIME.
Optional items include a pumice stone, which helps grind off stubborn build up, and gloves. Gloves are always handy when dealing with the toilet but not essential. If you don’t use gloves be sure to wash your hands after cleaning.
Step 1: Find A Toilet Brush
Even the most frugal households have a toilet brush lying around. If you have multiple bathrooms you might need to check the other bathroom but I’m confident you already have this item.
Step 2: Wet The Brush And The Inside Of The Bowl
It’s important to know that it’s impossible to properly clean the toilet bowl if upper area is not wet.
Insert the brush in the toilet and scrub the toilet to remove the superficial dirt and stains. You’ll be surprised that a lot of the buildup comes off. You’ll also notice you likely have tougher buildup that isn’t coming off.
Step 3: Add Your Cleaning Solution And Vigorously Scrub The Bowl
Most people stop after this step. They scrub for a minute, flush the toilet and think they are done. But guess what? That won’t get rid of a toilet bowl ring, nor will it get rid of buildup on an old toilet.
A cleaning solution needs time to work on the toilet. It doesn’t matter if you’re using chemicals or natural solutions like vinegar, they all need time.
If possible avoid using muriatic acid. Although it works it can damage pipes and is bad for health (breathing) and the environment.
I always use 2 cups of vinegar. 2 cups is enough to mix with the toilet water and loosen up all the buildup in the toilet.
Step 4: Don’t Flush – Let Soak
After you’ve covered the toilet bowl with your cleaning solution be sure not to flush the toilet.
TIME is the most important part of the process and you’ll need a lot of it to remove the toilet bowl ring.
Expert Tips:
I usually leave the brush resting in the bowl so other people in the house understand not to use it.
I also shut the door and leave the fan on in the bathroom. This reduces the smell in the rest of the house.
If you decide to use chemicals, the fan is even more important – you don’t want your family breathing chemicals that have been marinating in the toilet.
Every time you walk by the bathroom, enter and scrub a little bit to make sure the cleaner is in contact (coating) the bowel.
Step 5: Let Sit Overnight
If possible let the vinegar (or other cleaning solution) do its magic overnight. 6-8 hours is enough time for vinegar to slowly eat away at the toilet bowl ring and the result will be a sparkling white toilet bowl.
But you’re not done yet!
Step 6: Vigorously Scrub Again
When you wake up, give the bowl one more scrub with the brush. You should notice that much of the build up comes off easily after soaking for so long. The bowl will look clean and shiny.
If you still see the toilet bowl ring I suggest using a pumice stone to grind off the remaining buildup. The pumice stone works great and is my final step for a perfect looking toilet bowl. Read this article if you’re worried about a pumice stone scratching your toilet bowl (used correctly it’s not a problem).
Step 7: Flush
The last step is the easiest, just flush! If you’re using vinegar, baking soda, or citric acid then flushing feels good because you’re not doing any damage to the environment.
If you’re using chemicals try to use the sparingly and be extra careful if you have children. Always use the fan and keep a window open to circulate air.
Conclusion
Cleaning a toilet seems so easy and straightforward but is it? Most households have the needed tools that include a toilet brush, vinegar, and pumice stone. These items are cheap and effective at getting rid up build up. In order to get rid of the toilet bowl ring you’ll need another thing: TIME.
If possible start the cleaning process in the evening. Add 2 cups of vinigard to the toilet bowl and give it a good scrub. Be sure to leave the brush in the bowl to let people know there’s “work in progress”.
You’ll also want to leave the fan on in the bathroom and keep the door shut to reduce the smell!
After an hour or so, use the brush to scrub again. Do this as many times as you’d like before going to bed.
In the morning give it one last scrub. After 8 hours of sleep this scrub should get all the buildup off your toilet bowl. If the pesky toilet bowl ring remains, use a pumice stone to grind away at the ring. This should do the trick.
Flush your toilet and you’ll have a shiny toilet bowl that looks like new!
Hopefully this article gave you the necessary information to make your toilet look good. Sometimes you’ll have to use a stronger chemical but I’ve found that vinegar or baking soda plus TIME do a great job of cleaning my toilet without the hazardous chemicals.
Be sure to check out more Toilet Travels blog articles and leave a comment if you have a good tip for properly cleaning a toilet.