Use an automatic toilet bowl cleaner. It will clean your toilet automatically from the inside out with every flush, eliminating and preventing the growth of bacteria and hard water stains on it's journey to the bowl. Also, it will prolong the time your toilet stays clean.
Many households have hard water, or water containing a high amount of dissolved minerals like calcium, copper and magnesium. These minerals separate out of the water as salt-like substances, and can leave a scaly buildup or dirty water rings in the toilet.
If there is sediment in the bottom of the tank, you'll need more than a quick clean. Empty the tank and add enough undiluted distilled white vinegar to fill the tank to the regular water level. Allow the vinegar to work for at least two hours or overnight.
If the clog still seems to be intact, start over at step 1 and repeat the process a couple of times. For extra-stubborn clogs, you can let the fizz mixture sit overnight or combine this method with plunging.
Most people reach for bleach to obliterate toilet germs and stains. However, Green living expert Mark Lallanilla says that plain old white vinegar is an effective cleaner. To eliminate hard water stains, soak toilet paper in vinegar and place directly on top of the stain. Let the vinegar-soaked paper sit overnight.
Let It Sit For 12 Hours
Leave the vinegar and water mixture in the toilet tank for 12 hours without flushing the toilet. This is why this cleaning process is best done overnight, as you are less likely to need the bathroom throughout the night than during the day.
Cleaning professionals and plumbers recommend cleaning with vinegar to remove buildup and stains from toilet tanks and other surfaces. Mix it with baking soda, however, and you could damage your tank and plumbing.
The toothpaste must be menthol, with Fabiosa explaining that the paste will produce a "small disinfection" while releasing a minty fresh scent, too. It's the perfect way to ensure your loo is as fresh as possible after every flush, with 5-Minute Hacks revealing it works for up to three months.
Water concerns in the 70s and 80s led many to try to conserve on their own. One of the more novel ideas was to place a brick (yes, an actual brick) inside the toilet tank: doing so displaces water — about half a gallon — making each flush use less of it.
If you take a plastic bottle, put a few pebbles or rocks in it, fill it with water, and then place it in the back of your toilet, you can save up to 10 gallons of water per day. By placing the bottle in the toilet tank, less water is needed to fill the tank and therefore less water is being flushed.
"The biggest don't when it comes to toilet tanks is bleach—do not use bleach or products containing bleach inside the tank, as it can corrode the internal parts of your toilet. If you are aiming to remove tough stains from the tank, I also recommend white vinegar diluted with water."
Daily: Flush your toilet every day (even if it's not in use) to discourage the growth of bacteria. Weekly: Deep-clean your toilet once a week or biweekly—this includes the toilet bowl, exterior and toilet seat. Yearly: Clean your toilet tank twice a year.
To keep it at bay, disinfect the toilet and sink at least once weekly, and the bathtub every two weeks — more if you shower often.
Clean the toilet bowl
Letting the cola sit for several hours will improve its effectiveness. Before flushing, use a toilet brush to scrub away the stains and flush. This works very well, but only for removing grime and stains.
Let the vinegar and soda solution sit for up to 30 minutes. If there are any stains above the water line, it would be helpful to go over them with your toilet brush one or two more times. One final scrub before you flush should remove any still stuck stains. Flush to rinse.
Pour a half-cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet and let it sit for 30 minutes. Use your toilet brush to scrub the stains. Add a sprinkle of baking soda and scrub again if the stains persist. Turn on the water and flush away stains and germs.
In this case, a basic toilet cleaning product may not be enough, and you will need to use undiluted bleach. As a one-stop cleaning solution, pour one cup of bleach around the bowl. Then tackle every inch with a toilet brush or a handheld scrub brush. Let it sit for five minutes, then flush.
Vinegar is safe and milder than caustic cleaners designed for the toilet, and those commercial cleaning agents can eat away the good bacteria in your septic system. To safely and inexpensively clean your toilet bowls, pour a generous glug of vinegar, followed by a heavy sprinkling of baking soda, into the bowl.
What do housekeepers use to clean toilets? There are many different products that can be used, depending on what is available and what works best for the person doing the cleaning. Some common products include bleach, vinegar, and baking soda.
First, make "flush" a family rule. Also, make a simple routine part of your weekly cleaning: Sprinkle the toilet with cup of baking soda. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then spray or squirt with vinegar (a mild acid) to moisten. Scrub with a bowl brush and flush away [source: Niagara County].
To remove hard water stains, one cup of vinegar and one cup of baking soda will do wonders, but when it comes to unclogging the toilet, it takes a bit more work. Using heat and pressure changes can unclog a toilet, so pour around one cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl followed by a gallon of very hot water.
Odor Toilet Tank FAQ
White vinegar and baking soda in equal parts is a cost-efficient and effective means of getting rid odors in a toilet. Add them to the tank, mix them in and then use the toilet brush to gently scrub the tank. Let it sit for a few hours, scrub the tank again and flush.