You should never mix bleach and vinegar in a toilet bowl, as the combination creates toxic chlorine gas. Use one or the other, depending on the type of cleaning needed.
When tackling tough toilet stains, distilled white vinegar can be a game-changer. This natural solution, favored by the DIY cleaning community, effectively combats mineral deposits, hard water stains, and stubborn grime.
The acid will eat away the lime or mineral deposits and leave the porcelain unaffected. Apply several widths of cellophane like a Saran Wrap kitchen plastic over the toilet bowl to fully cover the toilet bowl and hold the fumes in the toilet and to minimize the hazardous fumes in the bathroom.
Plumbers recommend regular cleaning with a good toilet brush and a cleaner (like vinegar/baking soda or commercial products), using pumice stones for tough stains, disinfecting with antibacterial sprays on the exterior, and occasionally deep-cleaning the tank with vinegar, always letting cleaners sit to work, and avoiding mixing chemicals like bleach with other cleaners.
Vinegar is a natural, non-toxic cleaner that can be used to clean a variety of surfaces in your home, including your toilet. It is effective at removing dirt, grime, and stains, and it can also help to deodorize your toilet. This is a big win for me since I live with two boys, if you know you you know.
You should never flush wet wipes (even "flushable" ones) and sanitary products (like tampons/pads) because they don't break down, causing serious blockages in pipes and sewage systems. Other items to avoid include paper towels, tissues, cotton buds, dental floss, hair, and cooking oils/fats, as they all contribute to clogs and environmental issues.
Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda into the toilet. Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the toilet. Optional: Add l O drops of essential oil, lemon or lime juice. Put the toilet lid down and let the ingredients work for 30 minutes.
It's important to recognize which chemicals and products should stay away from your toilet bowl. Products like drain cleaners and bleach should never come into contact with your toilet as they can corrode porcelain or loosen seals, causing damage that is difficult to repair.
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For older stains, using an industrial-strength cleaner like CLR should do the trick. Another less conventional strategy you can try is removing the stains with Coca-Cola. To do this, simply pour a full can of Coke into the toilet and let it sit in the bowl overnight. Then flush the toilet the next day.
Vinegar's acidity can react with certain pipe materials, such as metal or galvanized steel, leading to corrosion over time.
7. Bleach: Bleach is a very harsh chemical that does not belong in sewerage lines or septic systems. Your toilet bowl doesn't need to be cleaned with bleach or an industrial cleaner. It has a glazed finish, so just swish it with a toilet brush to clean it.
Vinegar has a very low pH level which means it's very acidic, so it can corrode some surfaces over time. For example, using vinegar on natural stone like granite or marble can dull and scratch the surface and it can corrode surfaces like unsealed grout, window seals, and fridge and dishwasher gaskets.
“Of course, vinegar does eliminate some things, but it's important to note it's not a complete solution to disinfectant. It is only 90% effective against bacteria and around 80 percent effective against viruses and mold or mildew. Bleach, however, eliminates 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and mold or mildew.
Here is what our plumbers recommend to clean toilets.
The 'fizzing' reaction of the baking soda combined with vinegar can also play a part. That fizzing may help to break down the clog into smaller particles, making them easier to flush!
How to Tell If It's Time for a New Toilet
Here is a general guide on how to clean toilets the way professionals do it. Gather Supplies: Before starting, gather all the necessary supplies. This typically includes gloves, a toilet brush, disinfectant cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, microfiber cloths, and a scrubbing brush.
These items should NEVER be flushed down the toilet:
Letting pee sit makes it harder to clean your toilet. This is the best reason I can find for flushing every time you pee. Why? Because the combination of urine and hard water (i.e., water that contains a lot of minerals), if left to sit for a few hours, can create a crusty deposit on the side of the bowl over time.
To clean your toilet with vinegar, pour a cup of vinegar in the toilet bowl and let sit overnight. The next morning, sprinkle a little baking soda into the bowl, scrub, and then flush clean.
To remove brown stains from a toilet bowl, use acidic cleaners like white vinegar, citric acid, or lemon juice, letting them soak for hours or overnight before scrubbing with a brush or pumice stone; adding baking soda creates a fizzing paste for tough spots, while commercial descalers or even strong acids (with extreme caution) can tackle severe hard water/rust buildup.
Mixing vinegar and baking soda causes an immediate chemical reaction. This reaction forms water, sodium acetate (a salt) and carbon dioxide – the fizzy part. The amount of carbon dioxide gas that is produced from baking soda is remarkable – one tablespoon (around 18 grams) can release over five litres of gas!