Uncharted waters
Needless to say, the bathroom can be one of the most calming rooms in the house. This is largely due to the practical use it has when it comes to being a sort of relief system for the body in general.
Keeping the bathroom clean is a priority in many households due to this simple fact. No one wants to go into a bathroom and see an infestation of dirt or bacteria lying around.
When you go into a public restroom and see complete chaos, it could speak volumes of the building’s maintenance. The same could be said about a friend or loved one’s bathroom, if you walk into a grimy bathroom it can immediately be off-putting.
The most important part of the bathroom, you could say, is the toilet. The toilet is a necessary daily tool for relief that needs to be kept to ensure our health and wellbeing.
For many, the toilet is known as a “throne” to which only royalty can sit upon. Would you want royalty to be covered in a bacteria or mold-filled mess? I think not. But many aren’t aware of the steps on how to clean a toilet or to generally clean a toilet seat. This is when everyone starts to pick up the phone and call their local home cleaning services as an emergency for their help.
We’re here to tell you that you can put your wallet away and follow our easy and practical tips that will help ensure that your toilet will be stain-free, bacteria-free, and dirt-free in a matter of a few minutes or less than an hour. Not only will your toilet look aesthetically pleasing but you will feel safer sitting on the toilet without wondering if you will get ill.
1. Prepping the Supplies
What are the tools needed to clean the toilet?
Before starting your journey through the cleaning process, you must first wield the right tools. Some of these materials are accessible and some will need to be bought at your local market or grocery store.
However, it is critical to be prepared as these tools will help in the cleaning process and without them, you will more than likely lessen the cleanliness or leave bacteria behind due to the inefficient cleaning method.
Some of these tools serve different methods so you will not need to have all of them but if you feel the need to try a variety of ways each time you clean the toilet to test the efficiency, having extra materials can’t hurt! Here are some tools that will be useful for cleaning your toilet:
- Waterproof rubber gloves
- Toilet cleaner
- Vinegar
- Sponge or scrub
- Toilet brush
- Disinfectant spray
- Microfiber cloth or towel
- Pumice stone
- Paper towels
- Bleach or Clorox cleaner
- Disinfectant wipes
Some of these tools contain alcohol or bleach which can be damaging to the eyes or skin if you don’t have the proper safety gear. It is critical to have rubber gloves as well as opening a window if possible so the air doesn’t circulate in a closed space making it easier for it to get in your eyes or lungs.
2. Disinfecting Your Toilet – Toilet Bowl Cleaner
What is the first step when it comes to cleaning the inside of your toilet?
The first step in making sure that your toilet is bacteria-free is to disinfect the inside. Relatively anyone can agree that the inside of your toilet is by far one of the most bacteria-filled areas in the entire home.
If the toilet isn’t cleaned at least once a week it can lead to foul odors and stains. This is not only unsightly but it can be dangerous when it comes to being in close contact. So, you may ask yourself how to clean toilet stains? The first step when it comes to cleaning a toilet is to apply toilet bowl cleaner.
We suggest leaving it to soak as it will be more efficient in removing any persistent stains as well as odor. For those who don’t have toilet bowl cleaner in their household, don’t fret! Good ole vinegar works just as well.
Vinegar is a powerhouse ingredient when it comes to removing odor. When it comes to toilet odors, you’ll need this potent solution to get rid of the foul stench. Simply just pour one cup of vinegar into the toilet.
After you pour the solution, you could go ahead and use your toilet brush to swish it around and get the walls of the toilet as well. It is important whether you’re using toilet bowl cleaner or vinegar that the inside of the toilet is thoroughly soaked. This will not only neutralize bacteria but also common sicknesses and viruses.
3. Tackle The Exterior – Start With the Lid
How can you clean the toilet lid?
While you’re waiting for the inside of the toilet to soak, you can work on the outside. For this, you will need a bathroom disinfectant cleaner spray or some sanitizer wipes. If the toilet is in a bad state or you haven’t cleaned the toilet in some time, we recommend doing a wipe down with wet paper towels.
This will help moisten the surface and make it easier to later scrub. We recommend spraying down the toilet from the base to the top. Remember to clean even the smaller areas that usually get overlooked, like the area between the tank lid and the toilet. Also, tackle the tank itself as this area is particularly filled with bacteria due to being connected directly to the sewer line.
Make sure to clean the lid thoroughly. We recommend cleaning one side at a time, spray the exterior lid and leave it soaking for some time, wipe it down with a microfiber towel when it has been soaked for 10 minutes or more. Then when you’re wiping down the interior lid leave it to soak for more time as this side usually gets filled with more bacteria.
4. Tough Spots – How to Handle the Persistent Areas
How do you clean the tough stains and years old bacteria on the toilet surface?
Picture this: you invite your close friends, relatives, or loved ones to your home. You decide to clean the bathroom lightly to get your home ready for the get-together. However, once you start cleaning you realize that no matter how hard you scrub with soap and water some stains can’t be removed from the toilet.
Chances are if you’ve had a toilet for quite some time, you know that water rings and stains can be as unsightly as they sound. If any of your guests were to see these stains, not only would it cause you extreme embarrassment but they would immediately be put off and decide to not pay any more visits.
If you’re not used to cleaning your bathroom, it’s almost unavoidable that you’d run into tough stains as simply refreshing the bathroom and doing surface cleaning won’t cut it. When it comes to tackling these persistent obstacles, you have to be ready with the more potent cleaning chemicals and material.
For these stains, we recommend a pumice stone or bleach. Pumice stones are volcanic rocks that are light and soft. These stones are helpful to gently remove any surface stains on porcelain toilets without damaging the exterior. Not only is it abrasive but it works to clean just about any stain without using too much force.
When it comes to bleach, it is important to use protective gear so it doesn’t get on your skin or eyes. Bleach can automatically remove stains as long as you leave it to soak. We recommend leaving the chemical solution for about 15-20 minutes for more effectiveness. Then just flush and repeat if necessary.
5. The Toilet Handle – The Dirtiest Part of The Toilet
Why is it important to clean the toilet handle?
Many may not be aware of the fact that the toilet handle is a hot spot for bacteria. This is due to the many hands that have touched the toilet handle and the closeness the handle is to the toilet tank, making it easy for bacteria to latch on. Although it is a small space, it is important to tackle this area as anyone who may touch it will immediately be contaminated.
It is common knowledge that bacteria can cause sickness and illness, but is also aesthetically unpleasing to touch a surface that hasn’t been cleaned thoroughly. While many individuals usually sanitize the handle with sanitation wipes, we recommend also vigorously wiping with a disinfectant cleaner or bathroom cleaner so that the bacteria are efficiently gone.
After putting disinfectant, do not wipe it down with water. Instead, just wipe with a paper towel so that the solution can still be on the surface making it more difficult for bacteria to flourish in this area. Make sure to throw away the used paper towels immediately instead of leaving them in the trash as they can harbor more bacteria if left alone.
6. Take It Apart If Needed!
What is the easier way to clean the toilet seat and tank lid?
Some homeowners who have newer model toilets can also take apart some of the toilet pieces so that you can clean the parts thoroughly. For example, to clean the lid, you would usually need to lift it or let the solution sit for a while without touching it. Some family members, relatives, or loved ones may not realize it and sit on the cold seat filled with the disinfectant solution.
However, if you take apart the toilet seat you could easily wash it and place it back if needed. This also goes for the tank lid and the other hardware that can be taken apart. Pay very special attention to the small creases between the lid and the toilet as these areas usually go unnoticed. Once you’ve cleaned the unattached toilet hardware, put it back safely in its place making sure all the nuts and bolts are tightened.
Leaving a screw loose can be an accident waiting to happen, we suggest double checking each item placement thoroughly.
7. A Necessary Toilet Maintenance Schedule
How often should you clean the toilet?
We understand how hard it can be to do your due diligence and clean the bathroom let alone the toilet. Whether you’re too tired from work or you have to take care of kids, maybe even do other house chores, we know cleaning can be a drag for most people. However, cleaning isn’t only for making the home look aesthetically pleasing or visually appealing.
It is a necessary responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your family or for yourself. By continuing to leave the toilet uncleaned, not only will you welcome dirt and debris but also an accumulation of harmful bacteria that can produce sickness or worse.
If you have a hard time remembering to clean your toilet, we suggest putting up notes or alarms on your phone as a reminder. This will establish the habit of doing it every other week or every two weeks. We suggest cleaning the toilet at least twice a month for best practice.
When you pick up this habit of cleansing your toilet, you will find it easier than it was the first time as there will be less effort in removing stains.
Actively using vinegar or a toilet bowl cleaner can also help in avoiding any clogging. Thus, not only will cleaning help the surrounding area of the toilet but it will also help in keeping the plumbers away.
Toilet Cleaning Tips – What Else is Important to Know?
- For really difficult stains – use a stiff bristle brush
- Make your toilet bowl cleaner with – one cup baking soda, one cup bleach, and one cup of salt
- Clean your bathroom tools, brushes, cleaner, and towels used for maximum sanitation as well as for reuse
- Clean the toilet scrubbing brush often as leaving it in the watery holder can lead to mold if left alone.