It’s spring! You know what that means: Time to throw open the windows, dust off the cobwebs, and shake out the rugs.
But what about that one spring cleaning task you’ve been dreading having to check off your to-do list?
That’s right…Clean the toilet.
We know—there are other ways you’d rather spend your afternoon.
You don’t want to get out the cleaning supplies, 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 risk getting toilet water on your sparkling bathroom tile, so you put it off. Well, we’re here to tell you that cleaning your toilet is a lot easier than you may think! All you need is this guide full of toilet-cleaning tips.
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Toilet Cleaning Supplies
Your first task to prepare for an easy cleaning experience is to gather all the supplies you need. Make yourself a toilet cleaning kit by putting everything you need in one place. This gets rid of unnecessary steps, leaving you with a one-stop shop for your cleaning needs.
My family has always had a bucket that lives in the closet where we keep all our cleaning supplies. We call it the bathroom bucket, and it’s a lifesaver for emergency cleanups and deep cleaning days alike. Let’s talk about how you can make your own bathroom cleaning bucket.
Creating a Bathroom Cleaning Bucket
Ready to make your own bathroom bucket? Here’s a checklist of all the items you need. Print it out and take it with you on your next shopping trip!
- Bucket with a handle (choose a fun color to brighten your chore day!)
- 1 pair of elbow-length rubber gloves
- FFP2 disposable respirator face mask
- Paper towels
- 1 pack of hand sponges
- Glass cleaner
- All-purpose surface cleaner
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Disinfecting wipes
- Toilet brush
- Squeegee
- Old toothbrush
- Cleaning cloths (we recommend microfiber for a streak-free shine)
Having a reliable bathroom bucket you can easily reach for makes you much more likely to follow through with your cleaning goals. Even better, many of these supplies can do double duty in other rooms around your house!
Keeping Your Tools Sanitary
Does cleaning your cleaning supplies sound a little redundant? It’s actually a necessary step to a sanitary home, so make sure you are wiping down your supplies after use!
You may be wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands while cleaning, but remember that you’re touching your cleaning supplies with those same germy gloves—and potentially spreading the bacteria from your toilet to your supplies.
But don’t worry—you have a tool in your bathroom bucket to quickly remedy this problem. Simply take your disinfecting wipes and wipe down your tools after you’re done cleaning. For the eco-conscious, wipe down with a cleaning cloth sprayed with all-purpose cleaner. Pay special attention to the body and sprayers of your cleaning agents and any handles or stems of cleaning tools. When you’re finished, it’s a good idea to wash your gloved hands with soap and warm water to clean your gloves.
When you’ve taken off your gloves, don’t forget to thoroughly wash your hands before touching your face or moving on to another chore!
How to Properly Clean a Toilet
We’ve told you that cleaning a toilet should be easy and quick—but it still needs to be done thoroughly. Follow these steps to properly clean your toilet:
- Put on your gloves and a face mask. Gloves protect your hands from germs, and a mask can shield you from cleaning chemicals—and any unpleasant smells!
- Apply your toilet bowl cleaner. Pour your toilet bowl cleaner around the inside of your toilet bowl. We recommend you let it soak for 5 to 10 minutes, or as directed on the bottle. We have tips for cleaning mixtures too.
- Wipe the exterior of your toilet. While your bowl cleaner is working its magic, wipe the whole toilet down with disinfecting wipes or a cleaning cloth sprayed with all-purpose cleaner. This will get rid of any extra germy gunk before you go in with your cleaning spray and hand sponge. Don’t forget about those easy-to-miss areas like the toilet seat hinges and behind the toilet.
- Spray cleaner on toilet surfaces. Next, spray all the nooks and crannies with your all-purpose surface cleaner. Focus on the toilet seat, lid, and base. For an extra-dirty toilet, you can let the cleaner sit for several minutes.
- Scrub with a hand sponge and toothbrush. 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! You can use an old toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas.
- Scrub the toilet bowl. Now that the toilet bowl cleaner has had time to soak, take your toilet brush and scrub down the inside of your toilet bowl. Bacteria and buildup often accumulate on and under the rim of the bowl, so don’t forget to give those areas a good scrub.
- Flush and rinse your toilet brush. Flush the toilet while scrubbing with your brush to rinse off any residue. You can repeat this step twice if needed.
- Do a final wipedown. Wipe down your toilet’s surfaces once more with a disinfecting wipe or cleaning cloth for a polished look.
- Clean your supplies and wash your hands. Disinfect your supplies as described in the previous section and wash your hands.
Nice work! Your toilet is now scrubbed, clean, and ready for use.
Removing Hard Water Rings and Stains
All right, your toilet is clean now—so why does it still look dirty?! You might be dealing with buildup from hard water. The extra sediment in hard water can stain your toilet bowl’s porcelain, making your toilet look dirty when it isn’t. Hard water stains can also lead to unwanted smells as bacteria accumulate within the buildup. If you still see hard water stains in your toilet bowl after a thorough cleaning, try these tactics.
What You’ll Need
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Toilet brush
- Borax (if needed)
- 0000-grade steel wool (if needed)
How to Do It
- Use vinegar and baking soda. Add 1 cup white vinegar to your toilet bowl, followed by 1 cup baking soda. Allow the mixture to fizz and sit for about 10 minutes. Scrub with your toilet brush, and then let it sit again for another 20 to 30 minutes. Finally, flush the toilet and watch the mixture work its magic.
- Try borax and vinegar. If you’re still stuck with buildup after step 1, give white vinegar and borax a try. Add ¼ cup of borax to your toilet bowl and 1 or 2 cups of vinegar. You can use your toilet brush to stir and combine the two if needed. Allow the mixture to sit for 20 to 30 minutes, and then scrub with your toilet brush. Finally, flush the toilet.
- Scrub with steel wool. If no amount of elbow grease is helping your situation, you can give steel wool a try. It’s extremely important to purchase the finest grade (0000-grade steel wool); otherwise, you could scratch your toilet bowl. For a super shiny clean, you can use one of the mixtures above in combination with your steel wool. Scrub carefully, and then flush the toilet.
How Often Should I Clean My Toilet?
To keep your bathroom hygienic and make your cleaning routine easier, you should aim to thoroughly clean your toilet as we’ve outlined at least once a week.
Toilets are the perfect hosts for bacteria such as E. coli and other germs that can make us ill, and they’re usually very close to our sinks, bathtubs, toothbrushes, and other personal hygiene products. If your toilet is dirty, those items are just one flush away from being contaminated. A clean toilet means a clean bathroom—and a healthy you!
Pro Tip: On that note, make sure you are closing your toilet lid before you flush. Keeping it open can spray bacteria around your whole bathroom—yuck!
Our Favorite Cleaning Supplies
Looking for recommendations to make your whole bathroom shine? Here are our favorites!
- Windex: An effective multi-purpose glass and window cleaner, Windex is a classic and a staple in any household!
- Kaboom Mold & Mildew Stain Remover: Excellent for ridding yourself of scum in those hard-to-reach shower corners.
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser: Use these all-in-one erasers to get in between your bathroom tiles.
- Drain snake: Are long-hair clogs turning your showers into baths? A drain snake can bust through the blockage and have your drains running smoothly once again.
- White vinegar and baking soda: Budget-friendly and effective as an all-purpose cleaner, white vinegar can be combined with baking soda for an extra cleaning boost. Baking soda can also be used on its own as an incredible scouring agent.
Natural Cleaning Approach
Not a fan of harsh chemicals in your home? Whether you’re concerned about health issues, environmental impact, or surface damage, we understand! 
Whatever the reason you prefer to take a natural approach to cleaning, we’ve got you covered with DIY recipes.
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
What You’ll Need
- Spray bottle
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Dish soap
- Water
How to Do It
Pour 1 cup baking soda, ½ cup white vinegar, ½ cup dish soap, and 1 cup water into a spray bottle. Shake it up to mix well. Use on toilet surfaces, countertops, bathtubs, and more!
Natural Tile Cleaner
What You’ll Need
- Small bucket or tub
- Water
- Baking soda
- Scrub brush
- Spray bottle (optional)
- White vinegar (optional)
How to Do It
Easy as pie, this DIY recipe gives just the right amount of abrasion to get your tile squeaky clean. Simply pour 2 parts water and 1 part baking soda into your bucket or tub (for an extra boost, you can use 1 part water, 1 part white vinegar, and 1 part baking soda). Stir with the end of your scrub brush, and allow the baking soda to dissolve. Apply directly to tiled surfaces or pour into a spray bottle for easy application. Scrub your tile clean with your scrub brush.
Natural Soap Scum Remover
What You’ll Need
- Grapefruit, lemon, or orange
- Salt
- Paper towel or cleaning cloth
How to Do It
Did you know the acid in citrus fruits can help you remove soap scum? Cut a grapefruit, lemon, or orange in half, pour salt onto it, and then use it to scrub any soap scum you see in your shower or bathtub. Wipe down with a paper towel or cleaning cloth.
Our Opinion
Cleaning your toilet doesn’t have to be a dreadful task! We hope this helpful guide has given you a few tips to make your spring cleaning a little smoother. Remember to set yourself up for success by filling your bathroom bucket with the right tools for the job, using the proper sanitization method, and giving your toilet a thorough clean at least once a week. Happy scrubbing!