So the time has come to clean your toilet and you don't know where to start?
Don't panic! I've gathered for you guys everything you need to know to clean your toilet properly in one single guide.
From light everyday cleaning tips to tips on how to turn a nasty disgusting toilet into a brand-new shiny throne!
LIGHT/EVERYDAY CLEANING
This one is for you who already have a well cleaned toilet but are in doubt on how to keep up with it and keep it always shiny white.
► GREEN CLEANING: Sprinkle some Borax in your bowl and let it sit overnight, use a toilet brush to scrub it up a bit and then flush, this will keep your toilet sparkling white and fresh! You may also sprinkle some Baking Soda instead of Borax. If you want to keep the bowl perfumed just pour a few drops of your favorite essential oil into the bowl as you scrub it. Spray a solution of equal parts of vinegar and water on the exterior (tank, handle, lid, seat and sides) and wipe it dry with a clean rag.
► CHEMICAL CLEANING: Simply use a general toilet bowl cleaner of your preference and follow the instructions, don't forget to wear gloves! To clean the outside of the toilet simply sprinkle a multi-purpose cleaning spray of your preference on its tank, handle, lid, seat and sides and wipe dry with paper towel.
MID CLEANING
So, have you been lacking on cleaning and got your toilet into a bad shape? Well, the damage is done but you can still solve it!
► GREEN CLEANING: Pour white vinegar into the bowl and let it sit overnight in order to get rid of hard-water ring, scrub with a toilet brush and flush. For stains in general inside the bowl, pour sea salt into a a piece of lemon and scrub it directly on the spots. Clean the exterior of the toilet by spraying white vinegar and wiping it dry with a clean rag.
► CHEMICAL CLEANING: Use commercial cleaners containing
hydrogen chloride, HCL or muriatic acid for hard-water rings, but don't forget to wear gloves! Apply bleach directly into any stains and let it sit for at least an hour before brushing. Use a solution of 1 part bleach and 9 parts water to clean the exterior of the toilet, wipe it dry with paper towel.
GROSS TOILET CLEANING
This is for you who unfortunately has to clean that nasty toilet left by the previous owner of your rental property, the famous "gas station toilet". Put your chemical resistant gloves, old long sleeved shirt and face mask on and let's get to work!
► GREEN CLEANING: I'm sorry to say, my friends, but no green cleaning will solve a toilet problem of that magnitude. Give it up for the chemical cleaning explained below and keep the children and pets away from it until you can do your next and first green cleaning in that toilet.
► CHEMICAL CLEANING: First, empty a bucket of water into your bowl to trigger flushing without refilling the bowl. Get a toilet bowl cleaner of your preference, but make sure the active ingredient in it is acid, now squirt it up the rim inside your bowl and spread it evenly with a toilet brush all over the bowl, let it sit for an hour and then brush thoroughly. While the toilet bowl cleaner acts you can use a strong multi-purpose spray to clean the entire outside of the toilet (tank, handle, lid, seat, sides, flooring), brush it if necessary (specially all over the seat) and then wipe it dry with paper towel. Flush and allow the bowl to fill. If you still see mineral deposits or other stains, empty the bowl out yet again and pour Borax, let it sit overnight and scrub with a pumice stone
IMPORTANT TIPS
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other chemical products, it might cause an explosive reaction;
- If you've got kids or pets you should stick with the green cleaning for health reasons;
- Some chemical products might stain colored porcelain, read the warning label.
If you've got more tips and secrets about toilet cleaning, please share it with us in the comments!
