Almost all toilet manufacturers apply glaze on the inner surface of the toilet bowl. You might think it is only added to make the bowl look shiny, but it has several other purposes.
Toilet bowl glazes prevent waste from sticking to the surface and makes cleaning the surface easy for you., They reduce unwanted stains of waste and hard water marks. Many high-end toilet brands use advanced technologies to coat ceramic bowls with anti-microbial glazes to maintain the highest level of hygiene.
This resource guide will explain why toilet glazes are essential, the different types of coatings you may find, how they are applied, and how to maintain these glazes.
Key Points
- Toilet bowl glazes form the glass-like reflective surface of a toilet bowl that gives it a smooth appearance.
- Glazed surfaces repel water, prevent waste from clinging, resist stains, and protect against germs.
- While manufacturing the toilet bowl, the glaze is either baked into the ceramic clay or poured on to create a protective topcoat.
Toilet Bowl Glaze Explained
Ever noticed the glass-like coating on a new toilet bowl? That is the toilet bowl glaze, which coats the ceramic or porcelain surface of the toilet. It allows the toilet bowl to remain waterproof and offers protection from stains, dirt, and bacteria.
Some manufacturers apply a glaze coat over the finished ceramic bowl whereas some seal the glazing material inside the ceramic while firing through a kiln. The latter process is more effective as it lasts longer than the topcoat.
Advantages of Bowl Glaze
Glazing is an essential step in manufacturing toilet bowls. From keeping your toilet clean to saving water, glazes benefit your toilet in many ways. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages of glazing.
Offers a Smooth Exterior
You can’t have a sparkling clean toilet without a glaze to give it that special shine. But it’s not just the aesthetics. An unglazed toilet bowl has blemishes and uneven spots on the surface that catch and hold water, waste and germs. It not only looks bad but also creates issues with hygiene and durability.
Unglazed ceramic or porcelain is rough and slightly porous. This makes it prone to staining and less durable over time. The glazing process smoothes the surface, makes the porcelain waterproof, and provides the perfectly slick look and feel we expect on modern toilets.
Fewer Sticky Situations
The whole purpose of a toilet is to get rid of waste cleanly and efficiently. Without a glaze, the surface of unfinished porcelain is too rough; waste would stick to the surface of the bowl and require multiple flushes to move everything along. The smooth surface of the glaze allows waste and water to flush easily, using less water and preventing stains from forming.
Protects from Germs
Toilets are a notorious hotspot for germs. Bacteria, mold and mildew can cause stains and odors if they are allowed to grow. Luckily, most manufacturers infuse various antimicrobial ingredients into their glazes. High-quality glazes will prevent bacteria, mold, and mildew from growing on toilet bowl surfaces and help maintain proper hygiene.
Easier to Clean
While the slick surface of the toilet glaze helps to prevent sticking, mess happens. Even if some waste is left on the bowl’s surface after flushing, the glaze makes it easy to remove without much effort. A quick scrub with a toilet brush is enough to remove dirt and debris.
The same applies to the toilet’s outer surface; if it collects dust or grime, simply wipe it down with soapy water. Cleaning unglazed porcelain requires vigorous scrubbing and harsh cleaning products, which can be harmful to the environment.
Most Effective Glazes by Top Manufacturers
Different manufacturers develop their own technology to create glazes. Below are the brands with the most effective anti-bacterial properties and smoothest surface.
- TOTO CEFIONTECT
- Kohler CleanCoat
- American Standard Everclean
CEFIONTECT by TOTO
TOTO engineers have developed a unique nano-technology glaze known as CEFIONTECT. This ceramic glaze is ultra-smooth as it seals the underlying porcelain clay with its ionized barrier.
It creates a non-porous and super-slippery surface that does not allow the waste to cling on. All you need is one flush and the nasties will slide off the toilet bowl immediately.
Kohler CleanCoat
As you might know, Kohler is one of the top brands popular for their bathroom products. The manufacturer uses a unique anti-bacterial glaze that kills bacteria and germs.
Instead of coating only the surface, it built the glaze into the ceramic clay before starting the firing process. Therefore, the glaze offers optimal hygiene by preventing dirt and waste from sticking to the surface.
American Standard’s EverClean Surface
Just like Kohler, the American Standard’s brand also has their own glazing technology. Their EverClean surface is double-coated and inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface.
EverClean ceramic glaze is baked into ceramic clay while firing. Therefore, its longer lasting, fast, and more effective against dirt build-up.
Glaze Application Process
All toilet bowl glazes are applied by the manufacturer while building the toilet bowls in the factory. In general, glazes are made of four different ingredients.
- Silica: Gives the glaze its distinctive glass-like effect. The silica creates a smooth surface that repels water and dirt.
- Flux: Binds the different layers together. Several types of fluxes function as melting agents, including sodium, calcium, and boron.
- Stiffening Agent: Reinforces the hard structure of the glaze.
- Colorant: Determines the glaze’s color and final appearance.
In addition, a dry mixture of glaze can be dry dusted over ceramic or porcelain clay. Some manufacturers add additional ingredients for the overall improvement of the glazing effect and to guard against bacteria and fungi.
Keep Your Glaze in Good Condition
With all this discussion about the importance of your toilet’s glaze, we also want to think about how to keep it safe and well-maintained. Toilet glazes can stand up to most cleaning products, including vinegar, bleach, and commercially available liquid or gel bathroom cleaners. Do not use abrasive cleaners or detergents, they will wear away the glaze. Scrubbing with a toilet brush or washcloth is the best choice; avoid firmer brushes or steel wool, as those can scratch the glaze and introduce the small holes and crevices that the glaze is meant to prevent. Also be careful to avoid scratching the glaze with metal tools when clearing out clogs or doing plumbing work.
Final Thoughts
In this write-up, we covered the important points to know about toilet bowl glazes. These glazes make the surface smooth and slick so that waste can be flushed off easily. Besides, they improve the overall look and feel of the exterior of the toilet.
While buying a toilet bowl, you should look for the ones that bake the glaze with ceramic instead of applying a coat later. This method provides a glaze that is longer lasting and more functional.
Don’t forget to check our other toilet resource guides for more vital information about keeping your toilet clean and running smoothly for years to come!