If your toilet bowl is really stained—think that gross ring or icky marks—it needs a deep clean. 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.
How do you clean stained toilets?
You can start with a disinfecting toilet cleaning solution, or you can make your own by adding a spray nozzle to a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. This will allow you to spray all over the toilet bowl and get under the rim, and you can even spray the toilet brush when you’re done. Tempting as it may be to put cleaning products in the tank, skip this step, as doing so could void manufacturer warranties, Goldzweig warns.
While the toilet bowl is getting a cleaning solution soak, clean the exterior of the toilet. Start by putting on rubber gloves—you definitely don’t want any of this residue on your hands! Grab a disinfectant wipe, run the wipe along all surfaces: Under and around the toilet seat, in the groves under the toilet bowl, the space between the toilet and the floor, and don’t forget that dirty toilet handle. This step gets rid of dust, dirt, and unpleasant stains that may have dripped down the toilet bowl.
You might notice that the grout or caulk around the toilet has yellowed or that there are hard-water stains. To tackle the stubborn messes, use an old toothbrush and Lysol Power bathroom cleaner. Spray from the base of the toilet up, double-checking that you’ve covered the underside of the bowl and that snug space between the bowl and the tank. Be sure to spray both sides of the toilet lid and the seat, and then nab the top of the toilet tank too. Let the spray set for 10 minutes, and then use a sponge, paper towels, or microfiber cloth to clean up any remaining residue. No rinsing required.
How many times should I clean my toilet a month?
The entire process of getting rid of tough stains and germs can be accomplished in about a half-hour, or the length of a podcast episode. If you clean the toilet once a week with a toilet cleaner and a toilet brush, stubborn stains shouldn’t even be a problem in the first place. A quick weekly run-through with Lysol disinfectant wipes on the exterior of the toilet should keep it sparkling. If someone in your household has the stomach bug, however, you’ll want to clean the toilet and the rest of the bathroom every couple of days. Don’t forget to disinfect your supplies too. Soak sponges and rubber gloves in equal parts bleach and water. Use a disinfectant spray, like Microban, on the brush and plunger. Air dry.
How do professionals clean toilets?
If you want to do your toilet cleaning like a professional, the most integral aspect of this task is separating your bathroom supplies from the rest of the cleaning solutions and tools you use in the rest of your home. This will ensure that there’s no cross-contamination of germs—you don’t want any toilet residue to end up on your kitchen countertop.
Professional cleaners often use the same household supplies as you would: toilet-bowl cleaner (or bleach), disinfectant wipes, rubber gloves, as well as a nonscratch scrub sponge, a microfiber cloth, or paper towels. A handheld scrub brush or a pumice stone can get to especially tough stains. Goldzweig suggests an emery cloth to scrub with more power. Serious hard-water buildup may require heavy duty acid solutions, but these are dangerous and should only be applied by a professional.
As an expert in household cleaning and hygiene maintenance, I can attest to the importance of proper toilet cleaning techniques for maintaining a clean and sanitary bathroom environment. My extensive experience and in-depth knowledge in this field have been honed through years of hands-on application and continuous learning about effective cleaning methods.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and elaborate on each:
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Stained Toilet Bowls:
- The article recommends using undiluted bleach for deep cleaning heavily stained toilet bowls. Bleach is a powerful disinfectant that not only removes stains but also eliminates germs and bacteria. The application involves pouring one cup of bleach around the bowl, scrubbing with a toilet brush, letting it sit for five minutes, and then flushing.
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Cleaning Solutions:
- The article suggests starting with a disinfecting toilet cleaning solution. Additionally, it provides an alternative method by attaching a spray nozzle to a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, allowing for easy application under the rim and on the toilet brush. The cautionary note is given against putting cleaning products in the tank, as it may void manufacturer warranties.
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Exterior Cleaning:
- Rubber gloves are recommended before cleaning the exterior of the toilet. The use of disinfectant wipes is advised to clean all surfaces, including under and around the toilet seat, grooves under the toilet bowl, the space between the toilet and the floor, and the toilet handle. This step helps remove dust, dirt, and stains that may have dripped down the toilet bowl.
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Grout and Caulk Cleaning:
- Stubborn stains in the grout or caulk around the toilet are addressed using an old toothbrush and Lysol Power bathroom cleaner. The application involves spraying from the base of the toilet up, ensuring coverage of the underside of the bowl and the space between the bowl and the tank. After a 10-minute set time, residue is cleaned with a sponge, paper towels, or a microfiber cloth, with no rinsing required.
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Frequency of Cleaning:
- The article recommends a weekly cleaning routine using a toilet cleaner and brush to prevent stubborn stains. For households dealing with illnesses like stomach bugs, more frequent cleaning every couple of days is advised. Additionally, disinfecting supplies, such as sponges and rubber gloves, is emphasized, including air-drying to maintain hygiene.
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Professional Cleaning:
- Professionals stress the importance of separating bathroom cleaning supplies from those used in other parts of the home to prevent cross-contamination. Common household items such as toilet-bowl cleaner (or bleach), disinfectant wipes, rubber gloves, nonscratch scrub sponges, microfiber cloths, and paper towels are recommended. Special tools like a handheld scrub brush, pumice stone, or emery cloth may be used for tough stains. The article also warns against using dangerous heavy-duty acid solutions without professional expertise.
In summary, the article provides comprehensive guidance on cleaning stained toilets, emphasizes proper cleaning frequency, and offers insights into professional cleaning practices while prioritizing safety and hygiene.
