Approximately 40% of people in the United States only clean their bathrooms once a month (or less). While regular cleaning is important for a clean bathroom, how you clean is even more important.
But, how do you clean a toilet the right way?
In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about how to clean a toilet. We even offer our best cleaning tips to help you get started. Read on to keep your home clean and healthy.
Check Your Cleaning Supplies
Before you can learn how to clean a toilet, you need the right cleaning supplies. Having them ready to go will make the process quicker and easier. We recommend starting with the basics, such as those listed below.
- Rubber cleaning gloves
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Toilet brush or sponge
- Disinfectant spray
- Cloth or paper towels
Make sure all of your supplies are well-stocked and in good condition. Replace your toilet brush at least every 6 months and sponges at least every 2 weeks to prevent the accumulation of bacteria. Wash reusable towels after each use.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
When it comes to selecting toilet cleaning supplies, you can choose to make them yourself or opt for a store-bought product. You can also choose between cleaning tablets, powders, liquids, or sprays.
The best option is the one that is easiest for you to use and has antibacterial properties. If you choose drop-in toilet bowl cleaners, keep in mind that you’ll still need to scrub the toilet from time to time.
Use the Right Order to Clean a Toilet
There are different methods you can use to clean a toilet that all work well, but using the right order is essential. The order has to do with cross-contamination. Clean high-touch areas first and low-touch areas last.
Step 1: Bowl Soak
Scrubbing the toilet bowl is one of the last steps of bathroom cleaning, but one of our best cleaning tips is to let the cleaner soak in first. This gives the cleaner more time to thoroughly clean and disinfect.
Line the inside of the bowl with cleaner, and be sure not to flush. If you know how to use the toilet fill valve in the tank, you can lower the amount of water in the bowl first for a more thorough cleaning.
Step 2: Exterior Spray Down
While the bowl soaks, put on your gloves and grab your disinfectant. Spray the outer portion of the toilet, including the handle, tank, seat cover, and base. Finish up by wiping the area using a clean cloth or paper towel.
Step 3: Clean the Seat
Cleaning the toilet seat is the next step. Spray it with disinfectant and allow it to soak into any stains for 15 to 30 seconds before scrubbing with a cloth or sponge.
If you decide to use a sponge or brush to clean the toilet seat, make sure it’s not the same one you use to clean the inside of the toilet bowl. This can lead to cross-contamination.
Step 4: Finish Bowl Interior
The final step is to clean the toilet rim and bowl interior. Use your toilet brush or sponge to scrub the inside of the bowl, removing hard water stains, mildew, or any other debris. Flush your toilet once finished scrubbing.
Now You Know How to Clean a Toilet
Learning how to clean a toilet properly is important not just for a clean bathroom but for preventing the spread of germs. The tools and products you use are important but not as important as the order in which you clean.
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