Vinegar and Baking Soda Flush
Pour about a cup of vinegar in and sprinkle in a handful of baking soda. It’ll bubble up like homecoming science fair at middle school, but that fizz is to loosen the stuff. Let it sit for 15–30 minutes, give it a brush, flush.
Borax Powder
A little retro, but also awesome. Sprinkle it liberally like comet around the bowl, let it sit overnight (if you can handle it) then scrub in the morning. You’ll feel like you time-warped to your grandmother’s cleaning days – and your toilet will thank you.
Bleach Tablets (Handle With Care)
Bleach is… complicated. Yes, it works quickly. But over time, bleach can wear down the porcelain and possibly damage your pipes. If you take this route, use with caution… and definitely don’t mix it with vinegar or ammonia. I learned that the hard, headache-y way.
How To Clean the Outside of the Toilet (Base, Tank, Buttons)
This is what we all pretend doesn’t exist – the outside. That nasty, dusty, forgotten spot where lint and who-knows-what have been silently gathering… you know what we mean.
An All-Purpose Cleaner + Microfiber Cloth:
Spray it all – the tank, flush-handle, edges of the seat, base. Even the wall behind, because, who are we kidding, splashes happen. Wipe down with a microfiber cloth. If it’s been a while (no judgment), you may be horrified at what you find. I usually am.
Toothbrush for Creepy Corners:
The hinges and bolts of the toilet seat love to gather nasty. I keep a toothbrush that I only use for the sneaky corners. A few strokes in there? Life-changer.
Take some Time With the Floor Area Around the Base:
There is hair. There is dust. There are pee droplets. It is all down there. I start with a Swiffer duster to get the fuzzies, and then come in with disinfectant spray and a rag (or wipe). You don’t truly realize how gross it gets until you are eye-level with it.
A Few Bonus Toilet Cleaning Tips That You’ll Be Glad I Mentioned:
Toilet brush smells bad? Pour some hydrogen peroxide or bleach in the holder every once in a while. It will help avoid making its own ecosystem.
