People put dish soap in the toilet primarily to unclog minor blockages by acting as a lubricant, breaking down organic matter, and reducing friction, making it easier for the clog to slide down the drain, often followed by hot water. However, while it's a common home hack, some plumbing experts caution against it, as harsh chemicals in some dish soaps could potentially damage toilet seals and internal parts over time, especially if put in the tank.
When poured into the toilet, dish soap helps lubricate the waste causing the clog, while also breaking down its structure, allowing it to easily flow down the drain. The molecules in dish soap have a hydrophilic (water-loving) end and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) end.
It is not recommended to use dishwasher tabs in your toilet as the chemicals in a dishwasher tablet may be too harsh for your toilet bowl and could potentially damage the toilet specifically designed plumbing, especially if used regularly; it's best to stick to dedicated toilet bowl cleaners designed for the purpose.
Do this and your toilet will always smell good. Pour a cup of fabric softener in the tank of the toilet. The fabric softener will sink to the bottom and remain in the tank. Each time you flush, a sweet aroma will be released in the tank and the whole bathroom will smell amazing.
You should never flush wet wipes (even "flushable" ones) or sanitary products (tampons, pads), as they don't break down like toilet paper and cause major sewer blockages; other common culprits include paper towels, tissues, cotton balls, hair, dental floss, and cooking fats/oils, which all contribute to clogs and "fatbergs".
This can really mess up your toilet's flushing, and you might end up having to call in a pro to fix it. The soap takes a long time to fully dissolve, and as it breaks down bit by bit, it can cause blockages in other parts of your plumbing as it moves through.
Prevention of Mineral Buildup
Some people believe aluminum foil can prevent hard water deposits from forming in the tank. The idea is that the foil somehow interacts with minerals like calcium and magnesium to stop them from accumulating on tank components.
Hot Water and Dish Soap Method
While waiting for the water to reach boiling point, squirt a generous amount of dish soap directly into the drain. The soap acts as a lubricant and breakup agent for grease and buildup inside the pipe.
Breaks down grease and buildup: Salt, especially when combined with hot water, helps dissolve fatty residues that may cause minor clogs. Eliminates bad odours: Salt neutralise odours and keep your toilet smelling fresh.
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.
Soap scum can make shower screens look grimy and dull. But dishwasher cleaning tablets can help remove the buildup and make your shower screen sparkle.
Not only will the energy cost be less; it'll keep heat from building up in your kitchen, giving your AC a break.) This means you can lower your energy bill by simply checking your energy company's specific peak hours and waiting to run your dishwasher during off-peak hours.
Keeping your clean toilet tank clean
Use bleach tablets that are designed to be placed inside the tank. This will help keep it clean and kill germs.
Maintain clean pipes.
Use white vinegar to maintain clean kitchen and bathroom drains. Periodically, pour a half cup down the drain, let it sit for at least an hour (the longer, the better), and then run water down the drain. Add baking soda to break up clogs.
Dish soap isn't just for dishes; it can serve as an effective cleaner for your bathtub when you're alone at home. The surfactants in dish soap break down grease and grime, making it an efficient choice for tackling soap scum and dirt in your bathroom.
It might not occur to you that soap will clog your drains, but it will.
Putting a toilet paper roll under the seat blocks water splash-back during flushing. This trick makes bathrooms cleaner and more hygienic. It's useful in public restrooms and at home, reducing germ spread from flushes.
For this fun and easy project, you'll need a pair of clean, large athletic socks. Slide one sock over each section of the toilet seat. Voila! While not exactly classy, the toilet seat sock cover is a good way to shelter your bare bottom from your toilet's cold hard plastic seat.
But we don't recommend placing Fabuloso or any other all-purpose cleaner in the back of the toilet tank. Such cleaners can be corrosive and may degrade the rubber gasket and seal in your tank. This can lead to leaks and cause your toilet to run, which can spike your water bill.
Pour a cup of laundry detergent/softener in the tank of the toilet. The detergent will sink to the bottom and remain in the tank. Each time you flush, a sweet aroma will be released in the tank, and the whole bathroom will smell amazing; It will slowly dissolve and will even last longer.