Cleaning a Toilet the RIGHT Way

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It’s spring! You know what that means – time to embark on spring cleaning.

But, we all have that one not-so-fun task on the spring cleaning to-do list, right?

→ Clean the toilet.

We know it can be a difficult one to check off.

You don’t want to get all of the cleaning supplies out, so you put it off. You don’t want to put on those rubber gloves, so you put it off. You don’t want to wear a mask, so you put it off. Well, we are here to tell you, it’s a lot easier than you may think using our cleaning tip guides.

Toilet Cleaning Supplies

Organizing your Supplies

The first thing to do to prepare for an easy toilet cleaning experience is to make yourself a toilet cleaning kit.

Put it all in one place! It takes away all your extra steps and leaves you with a one stop shop for all of your cleaning needs.

My family has always had a bucket that lives in the closet where we keep all of our bathroom cleaning supplies.

We call it the bathroom bucket, and it is invaluable.

Creating a Bathroom Cleaning Bucket

Here is a checklist for the tools you need to supply your bathroom bucket. Print it out and use it for yourself on your next shopping trip!

  • A bucket with a handle (choose a fun color to brighten your chore day!)
  • One pair of elbow length rubber gloves
  • A FFP2 disposable respirator face mask
  • Paper towels
  • One pack of hand sponges
  • Glass cleaner
  • All purpose surface cleaner
  • Toilet bowl cleaner
  • Disinfecting wipes
  • Toilet brush
  • Squeegee

Pick up all your supplies at your local store for a one stop shop! Many of these supplies can double in other rooms around your house, too.

Keeping Supplies Clean

Make sure you are wiping down your supplies after use!

You are handling these items with your rubber gloves that are also touching the germs and bacteria on your toilet.

Take your disinfecting wipes and wipe down the body and sprayers of all your cleaning agents.

Then remember to thoroughly wash your hands before touching your face or moving on to another chore.

How to Properly Clean a Toilet

Cleaning a toilet is easy and quick, but should be done thoroughly. Follow these steps to properly clean your toilets at home.

  1. Put on your gloves and face mask – keep yourself protected from those cleaning chemicals!
  2. Pour your toilet cleaner around the inside of your toilet bowl. We recommend you let it soak for about 5 minutes.
  3. While your bowl cleaner is soaking, wipe the whole toilet down with disinfecting wipes. This will get any extra germy gunk off the toilet before you go in with your cleaning spray and hand sponge.
  4. Next, spray all the nooks and crannies with your all purpose surface cleaner.
  5. Use your hand sponge to scrub down the exterior of your toilet. Make sure to get into the crevices underneath and behind the toilet seat and lid!
  6. Then, take your toilet brush and scrub down the inside of your toilet bowl.
  7. Rinse your brush and flush!

Your toilet is now scrubbed and clean, ready for use.

Removing Hard Water Rings and Stains

Hard water stains come from water with extra sediment in it.

When it sits in your bowl, the minerals and sediment build up and stain the porcelain.

If your toilet bowl still has hard water rings and stains around the rim, try these tactics.

  1. Try adding a mixture of 2 cups vinegar to 1 cup baking soda. The water will fizz up, but let it sit for around 10 minutes. Scrub with your toilet brush, then let it sit again for another 20-30. Then flush! Watch the vinegar work its magic.
  2. If just plain vinegar and baking soda doesn’t work, try vinegar and Borax (a cleaning agent, like a stronger version of baking soda!)
  3. If that still doesn’t work, do the same method again, but use a 0000-grade steel wool scrub. This is the finest steel wool you can get, and should prevent scratches to your toilet bowl.

How Often Should I Clean My Toilet?

You should aim to thoroughly clean your toilets once a week, and more often if you live in an environment in which bugs and rodents find their way into your home.

Bathrooms are the perfect host for bacteria such as E.Coli and other germs to grow and spread.

Our toilets are usually very close to our sinks, bathtubs, and other products we use for our personal hygiene.

Keeping your toilet clean better keeps the rest of your bathroom clean, which, of course, keeps you clean!

Pro Tip:  Make sure you are closing your toilet lid before you flush! Keeping it open can spray bacteria around to your whole bathroom, giving them more places to hide and grow.

Our Suggested Methods and Supplies

Here is a list of the supplies we recommend!

  • Windex: An excellent multi-purpose glass and window cleaner, always a staple in any household!
  • Kaboom Mold & Mildew: Excellent for ridding yourself of those hard to reach corners.
    • Mr. Clean Scrubbing Sponges: All in one erasers for in between those bathroom tiles.
  • Drain Snake: Recommended for any bathroom of humans who have hair! Indispensable to the smooth running of your drains.
  • White Vinegar Mixtures: Budget-friendly and effective!

Natural Cleaning Approach

We understand! Sometimes all those harsh chemicals are not what you want in your home, or sometimes you may be allergic.

If you prefer natural cleaning mehods, here are some recipes we recommend.

  • DIY Countertop Cleaner: Take an empty spray bottle and pour in 1 cup baking soda, ½ cup white vinegar, ½ cup dish soap, and 1 cup of water. Shake it up and spray away!
  • DIY Tile Cleaner: Easy as pie, just take a bucket of warm water and measure 2 parts water to 1 part baking soda. Let the baking soda foam up, then take a scrubbing brush to your tile surfaces.
  • Natural Soap Scum Removal: Did you know you can remove soap scum with the aid of acidic fruit? If you have something like a grapefruit hanging around your house, cut it in half, pour on some salt, then rub it over any soap scum you see in your shower. Then wipe down with a paper towel.

We hope this has been a helpful guide, and happy spring cleaning!