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How to master toilet cleaning | Beginner strategy

”Toilet cleaning, how?” you might ask. Well, if you’re a beginner in the art of cleaning toilets here’s a beginner’s strategy. To master toilet cleaning you need to understand 3 things:

  • The right cleaning agents
    • These aid you significantly in maintaining a gleaming, germ-free bathroom
  • Different scrubbing techniques
    • Learn various toilet scrubbing techniques that can make the cleaning process more efficient, less laborious, and more productive
  • Maintaining prevention strategies
    • By adopting simple daily habits and a few preventative measures, one can safeguard the toilet from stubborn stains

This article is specifically about a toilet cleaning routine that every beginner (and by beginner we mean first-time toilet owners 😉 ) should know.

Feel free to read our super in-depth article about toilet cleaning as well: A guide to toilet cleaning: how to do it safely & thoroughly

Right Cleaning Agents for toilet cleaning

Those nasty toilet stains can sneak up on us all. Thankfully, several effective (natural) cleaning agents are readily available to us all.

Homemakers love the following ones. They recognize them for their fantastic stain-removing powers:

  1. Hydrogen Peroxide
    • This common household item is an oxidizer, meaning it can break down those stubborn stains in your toilet bowl.
  2. Vinegar
    • Known for its acidic nature, vinegar is another tool in your stain-removing arsenal. Pour a cup of diluted white vinegar into the toilet bowl, spreading it around as much as possible. Let it sit overnight and scrub the next morning, ensuring maximum effect.
  3. Baking Soda
    • Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help lift stains without scratching your toilet bowl. Add some baking soda to the toilet bowl, then add a cup of vinegar. The resulting fizzing action helps loosen the bathroom bowl stains. Let it sit overnight, scrub it in the morning, and presto – a bright toilet bowl awaits!

Commercial-style toilet bowl cleaners

Turns out, even the worst toilet stains have their own kryptonite!

If you have a badly stained toilet bowl this natural stubborn stain-removing technique might work. But if it doesn’t, it might be time to call in the heavy hitters: commercial toilet bowl cleaners.

These contain strong chemicals specifically designed to remove incredibly stubborn stains and leave your bowl gleaming. But beware, not every commercial cleaner is eco-friendly so do your research first!

  1. Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner
    • With its angled bottle design and powerful formula, this cleaner navigates those under-the-rim spaces and transforms your toilet bowl
  2. Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach
    • Has over 115k positive reviews
  3. Scrubbing Bubbles Extra Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner
    • This cleaner is explicit in its promise to battle annoying toilet bowl stains, leaving your bathroom spotless

Tip: Remember to always protect your hands with rubber gloves. Plus also very important: ensure your space is thoroughly ventilated. Open up a window!

When working with commercial cleaners you should always read the manufacturer’s description and follow their advice.

Toilet Scrubbing Techniques

We’ve discussed using common household items such as hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and baking soda for cleaning. We’ve also highlighted the benefits of commercial toilet bowl cleaners and provided top recommendations.

Yet, an essential aspect remains unexplored: the cleaning technique.

Scrubbing isn’t just about putting in elbow grease. It’s about the method and rhythm you utilize to get rid of those pesky marks that refuse to leave their cozy homes. So let’s discover effective scrubbing techniques that will transform your cleaning routine and make your toilet shine like never before.

The simple but powerful principle is this: always, always scrub from top to bottom. This ensures you won’t brush any contaminants from the lower sections of the toilet bowl back up onto the cleaner upper parts. It also means that the cleaning agent you’re using will have the passages clean and unobstructed to continue working on the lower parts of the bowl.

But before you even start the scrubbing process, you should let your chosen cleaning agent sit. This will allow it to truly penetrate those hard-to-reach areas and stubborn stains.

Do you need to clean the inside of the toilet bowl?

You do need to clean the inside of the toilet bowl. Over time, mineral deposits, stains, and bacteria can accumulate, affecting not just the appearance but also the overall cleanliness of the toilet. Regular cleaning not only keeps the bowl looking fresh but also helps prevent odors and potential health hazards.

Whether it’s using common household items or specialized cleaners, giving attention to the inside of the toilet bowl ensures a more sanitary experience for everyone who uses the bathroom.

So, the answer is a resounding yes – keeping the inside of the toilet bowl clean is definitely worth the effort.

Finding a great toilet brush

A good toilet brush should reach under the rim and into the trap. A brush with an angled handle can do this. Apply pressure against the stains and use a mix of circular and up-and-down motions to effectively exfoliate the bowl.

For the more stubborn stains, get creative and use a pumice stone. Yes, you read that right! The mildly abrasive nature of a pumice stone works wonders for tough stains. But be gentle – you don’t want to scratch your toilet.

Remember, quicker does not mean better when it comes to scrubbing. Patient, focused scrubbing, waiting for cleaning agents to work, and using the right tools make or break a good cleaning.

Regular maintenance

Finally, regular maintenance is key to reducing the build-up of stubborn stains. A quick daily swish with a toilet brush can prevent these staining culprits from settling in too comfortably. In this article, you’ll find a free printable cleaning schedule for toilets.

That’s it! Now, it’s time to step back and revel in the beacon of cleanliness that is your sparkling toilet.

Do you flush the toilet after cleaning it?

Once the toilet-cleaning mission is accomplished, the question often lingers: to flush or not to flush? It’s a common debate among cleanliness enthusiasts.

Some argue for an immediate flush to whisk away the remnants of cleaning products and ensure a pristine bowl. Our expert says it’s best to get rid of any solution (like vinegar). The best way to do this is to simply flush. On the flip side, there’s a camp advocating for saving water and waiting until the next natural call of nature before giving the flush lever a triumphant push.

With the right knowledge about cleaning agents and scrubbing techniques, we can keep toilets spotless and germ-free. This not only ensures cleanliness but also reduces the time spent on cleaning.

One final tip: Try making toilet cleaning a daily habit. This way it doesn’t feel like a chore, but a routine.


Disclaimer: TheToiletSpecialist.com is not responsible for any damage caused to your toilet and surroundings by (wrongly) interpreting information found on this site. Please seek custom advice from a professional to evaluate your current situation.

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