We all know that toilet cleaning is everybody’s least favorite job. But it really doesn’t have to be such a dastardly chore if you just know about a few handy hints on how to make it easier and more effective. Now, to be sure, there are tons of commercial toilet bowl cleaning products on the market, however, most of them contain very strong bleach and some pretty nasty chemicals. So, we put together some helpful hints for a clean sparkling throne that anybody can enjoy without strong chemicals or noxious smells. Some get it cleaner, some make it sparkle, and still others make it smell terrific. So, here are a few toilet cleaning hints to try:
1. Peroxide
Skip the harsh chemicals that you might usually put it your toilet to get it clean and just disinfect it with hydrogen peroxide. Pour it in, let it work for about 30 minutes, and then flush.
2. Toilet Bombs
Make some awesome toilet bowl cleaning bombs by combining tea tree oil, baking soda, and vinegar. Toss it in and enjoy that foaming effect, knowing that your toilet will turn out sparkling clean.
3. Alka Seltzer
You can also clean your toilet effortlessly by dropping two Alka Seltzer tablets in and leaving them for about 5 to 15 minutes. How long is actually needed is dependent on how long they take to dissolve. Then swirl it around with a toilet bowl brush and flush.
4. Pumice Stone
Tired of looking at that unsightly ring in your toilet bowl? Well, you can get rid of it by using a toilet pumice stone. This is very effective but we would recommend trying a few of the “effortless” suggestions first and use the pumice stone only as a last resort.
5. Gatorade
Here’s another effortless way for getting rid of the calcium and lime buildup in your toilet that looks really gross. Just pour a bottle of Gatorade in and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, then flush to eliminate those nasty buildup problems.
6. Grapefruit
Now, if you want something that cleans like a dream and smells fantastic, too, then try this trick. Cut a grapefruit in half and dip it in a copious amount of salt. Then, just scrub your toilet with it and enjoy the scent of grapefruit instead of that bleachy smell you get from commercial cleaners.
7. Borax & Castille Soap
Mixing some Borax and Castille soap together will make a great toilet cleaning foam. And, don't forget to use a toilet brush or an old toothbrush for really getting up under the rim and cleaning the siphon jets.
8. Clearing Clogs-
Sometimes your toilet gets clogged and a plunger doesn't work, you can't find it, or you simply don’t have one, so here's what you can do. Just pour some dish soap and hot water in the toilet and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, then flush. Make sure it's not boiling water, however, as that might crack your toilet bowl.
9. Vinegar
In the event that you have really hard water and perhaps an older toilet with an ugly lime ring, you may have exhausted all the common cleaning ideas like bleach, brillo pads, Comet, and everything in-between with no success. Don't worry though because all you have to do is pour a bottle of apple cider vinegar in the toilet bowl and leave it overnight without flushing. When you flush in the morning, that nasty ring should be gone and with no work whatsoever.
10. Denture Tablets
OK, so you might not wear dentures, but keeping some denture cleaner in your house could be a great idea. The effervescent power can clean all kinds of things around the house, especially toilets. Just drop two tablets into the toilet bowl and leave them for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then, give it a quick scrub with a toilet brush and flush. Voila! Sparkling clean.
11. Cola
Have you ever poured Coke or Pepsi on raw hamburger meat and watched it eat it? Well, cola can do the same for your toilet. Pour a bottle in and let it sit for a few hours, then flush and watch those hard water and lime stains disappear.
12. Toothpaste
A company's coming and you don't have anything to clean your toilet with. No problem, just clean it with some toothpaste and a brush and it will sparkle like new.
Your cleaning experience
So, as you can see, you can clean your toilet with things that you probably already have in your cupboard. You'll also find that your toilet cleaning experience will be a lot less of a chore and, well, you probably still won't like having to clean the toilet but maybe you'll find that you dislike it a little bit less.