Knowing how to clean a toilet properly is essential for a cleansed and happy household. As this is one of the most used seats in the house, it naturally leads up to an alarming amount of both visible and invisible bacteria which can lead to contamination and illness if not well disinfected.
Sure, cleaning the toilet is that job that no-one wants to do... However cleaning everything from the toilet tank to removing stains from the bowl – whether you’re house proud or not – it shouldn't be bottom (sorry) of your list. And, it is easily done with the help of both commercial toilet cleaners and natural cleaning agents like vinegar. Some households may even prefer to use coke...
Keep scrolling for our know-how and get the job done quickly. We've also included some top toilet cleaning tips from household experts which will help make this crucial job, an easy one.
We spoke with ScS, and Dale Gillespie, Head of Acquisition, who says: “Hygiene has been at the forefront of people’s minds recently... many of us are thinking about giving our homes a thorough deep clean. It’s more important than ever to tackle dirt and germs'. Cleaning the toilet seat is 'Not an exciting job, but an essential one nonetheless.'
The experts at Victoria Plumbing also commented on how to clean a toilet the right way. 'We typically clean our toilet by scrubbing the inside and exterior of the bowl - but do you often think about how to clean the cistern itself? TikTok star and ‘professional organiser’@imagineitdone reveals the secret to a clean toilet tank in just a few simple steps. Firstly she removes the lid of the toilet tank, flushes the toilet to reduce the water level, then begins to scrub the interior of the tank with a bristled brush coated in bicarbonate soda. To finish off, she pops a chlorine tablet into the tank - ‘Perfectly antibacterial’. Interestingly, many people forget to clean their toilet cistern - resulting in a build-up of dirt and grime. This cleaning hack is a great way to ensure your toilet is clear of bacteria.'
How to clean a toilet bowl
Gillespie says 'For the best results, disinfect the toilet bowl with a bleach-based toilet cleaner, starting underneath the rim. Put on some gloves and scrub the sides. For the exterior, use a disinfectant spray and cover all sections, including the lid, flush and tank. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes and then use a clean sponge to wipe it all down.'
How to clean a toilet tank
How to clean a toilet seat
It's important to clean the top and the bottom of your toilet seat regularly to stop germs from lurking. Use a multi-purpose cleaner with a damp cloth or cream cleaner on an old toothbrush. After spraying on your cleaner of choice, rinse and wipe clean with a wet cloth. It’s important no moisture is left on the toilet seat or the hinges so finish by drying both with a soft dry cloth.
How to clean toilet seat stains
To clean any yellow or brown stains on the seat, you can use a mix of bicarbonate of soda and water. Mix three tablespoons of bicarb with six tablespoons of warm water in a small bowl. When it forms a paste smear this mixture onto the stained areas and leave for 15 to 20 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush or sourer and rinse well with warm water.
How to clean a toilet that is stained
How you treat stains often depends on the severity of the problem. Bleach is strong and ideal if you have brown stains at the bottom of the toilet bowl, but you can also clean with vinegar if you'd prefer a natural solution as its acidic nature helps soften and lift any buildup from the bottom of your toilet bowl.
Remember to always read the cleaning product instructions before you start cleaning your toilet, taking appropriate safety measures such as wearing rubber gloves.
How to clean a toilet using vinegar
Fill a clean spray bottle with white vinegar. Spray on targeted areas and leave to work for 10 minutes, or overnight if you wish. Finally, scrub your toilet with your toilet brush – the mess will come off easily after being soaked in vinegar.
Using vinegar to clean a toilet is brilliant, whether you’re doing a weekly clean or tackling weeks of dirt, grime and even limescale build up around the bowl and rim – vinegar can clean your toilet easily. The acidity in vinegar kills germs, bacteria and mould on contact. Make sure you use white distilled vinegar as the brown color in apple cider vinegar could stain your toilet.
This method will also work if you want to remove limescale from the u-bend. However, to reach the more tricky areas you might have to put on some rubber gloves and use a small brush that will fit down the u-bend to help scrub.
How to clean a toilet using coke
How to keep your toilet clean
Expert tips on how to clean a toilet
Jessica Alba's top tip for stained toilets
Complete babe, great actress and now Founder of sustainable wellness brand, 'The Honest Company', Jessica Alba's says when tackling a rough looking, stained toilet (in a hurry), "When I'm pressed for time, I leave our Toilet Cleaner sitting overnight—to keep fighting hard water stains long after I've stopped cleaning for the day."
Lynsey Queen of Clean's toilet cleaning tip
Lynsey Crombie uses the coke method to get rid of limecale in a toilet. "If you have limescale stains and rust in the toilet bowl too simple cover an old cloth in coke and then rub this over the toilet bowl using your hand or alternatively use your toilet brush and again leave for an hour or so to do its work. The acid in the coke will break down the stains". Magic.
Your toilet cleaning essentials
That wasn't so bad was it?
