Last Updated on October 19, 2022 by acechapman
It has become a common practice to scrub the toilet with a brush or other abrasive cleaning tool. Scrubbing can be quick, cheap, and easy. However, it is not the best way to clean your toilet, especially if you don’t do it correctly. There are many alternatives to keep the toilet bowl clean without scrubbing.
Natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda can be used to clean your toilet bowl. Or you can use automatic cleaners, such as tablets, gels, and cartridges. Water softeners are also a good option to prevent dirt and stains from building up.
Keep the Toilet Bowl Clean with Cleaning Products
Automatic Toilet Cleaners
These cleaners prevent grime buildup. You can find an automatic or continuous cleaner inside your toilet tank. These cleaners release cleaning and disinfecting chemicals into your toilet each time you flush, so you don’t need to clean your toilet bowl as often.
There are many types of automatic toilet cleaners. Some are small gel packets that can be clipped into the toilet bowl or capsules/tablets. Others attach to the tank with refillable cartridges.
Cleaning Tablets/Capsules
Each flush releases cleaners from these tablets. The tablets slowly release bleach and other cleaning chemicals into the toilet water. This prevents grime, bacteria, and bad odors from building up. This is a great way to reduce the amount of scrubbing.
Method
- Place the cleaning tablet in the bowl, and then replace it as many times as the package recommends.
- Flush the toilet. The cleaning tablets will clean your bowl every time you flush it.
- These tablets are best placed in the toilet tank. However, placing them in the bowl will prevent chemical wear on the tank’s hardware.
These tablets will dissolve in time. However, cheaper ones can break down and cause your toilet to block or slow down. To avoid problems with flushing, choose trusted brands instead of generic ones.
Toilet Cleaning Gel
This is another brilliant and simple solution for busy people who don’t want to spend their time cleaning their toilets.
The gel covers the entire bowl of your toilet with an odor-eliminating layer that keeps odors away. The scent is released when you flush your toilet. This can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors caused by bad bathroom habits or company.
Method
- Gently rub the cleaning gel you choose on the toilet bowl.
- Let it sit for between twenty minutes to half an hour.
- Then, flush the toilet.
Follow the instructions to install your toilet bowl cleaner. Find out how often to refill or replace it. Lysol Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner is one of the most popular.
Lysol’s automatic cleaner is a bleach-free, gel-based cleaner that provides continuous refreshing action for up to a month. It kills 99.9 viruses and germs, according to the manufacturer.
Cartridge Toilet Cleaning Systems
Fluidmaster’s Flush ‘n Sparkle automatic toilet cleaning system is the most widely used. This environmentally-friendly cartridge injects the cleaning solution directly into your overflow tube. It’s easy to install and can be used for up to three months.
Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaners
A DIY natural toilet cleaner is the best option for those who are sensitive or just want to be environmentally friendly.
Vinegar dissolves mineral deposits. It is mildly disinfecting, so it may kill microorganisms that might cause odor in your toilet bowl. You can use it by itself or mixed with warm water and baking soda. Baking soda can also be combined with citric acid, another natural ingredient.
Vinegar
Follow these steps to remove mineral deposits and hard water stains.
- Fill a container with distilled white vinegar.
- Place a piece of toilet paper on top of the stained area by dipping it in vinegar.
- You can repeat this procedure to cover any other spots that are discolored.
- Allow the vinegar-soaked toilet tissue to sit for approximately four hours before you remove it with your gloved hand.
- You can gently wipe off any discoloration with the paper.
Vinegar is a mild acid that can cause skin irritation. Wear gloves and goggles to protect your eyes, skin, and hands.
Warm Water and White Vinegar
You can clean your toilet bowl with warm water and white vinegar if it is stained or discolored.
Method
- Pour a cupful of warm water into your toilet bowl, then add one cup of white vinegar.
- Let the mixture sit for approximately five minutes.
- Next, pour another cup of water into the bowl of the toilet to wash away any loose dirt and grime.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
This combination can remove hard water stains. Baking soda can be used to remove many stains. It is gentler than other cleaners and won’t cause damage to the toilet bowl’s surface.
Baking soda attracts dirt, so your toilet will be spotless when you flush it out. Vinegar is able to cut through soap scum and grease and leave behind a fresh smell. It can also be used to remove lime stains or mineral deposits.
Method
- Place about 1 cup (0.24 Liters) of white vinegar in your toilet. Use a toothbrush to brush it around, making sure you cover any areas that are stained.
- After about one minute, sprinkle baking soda generously on any stains. Then, pour another cup of vinegar.
- Allow the mixture to sit for half an hour.
- To flush to remove any remaining grime. This can also be used to clear clogs from your toilet drain.
- You can wipe any remaining stains from the bowl with a sponge or a rag.
Baking soda can be used to increase the health of your septic tanks. Baking soda is not harmful to the bacteria in your septic tanks, unlike bleach or ammonia cleansers.
Pour one cup of baking soda into your toilet bowl once per week to maintain a balanced pH and prevent backups.
DIY Cleaning Bombers – Citric Acid & Baking Soda
These gentle cleaners may help reduce the need to scrub. Follow these steps to make your own grime-busting toilet bombs.
- In a bowl, combine a quarter cup of citric Acid, half a cup of baking soda, and two teaspoons of liquid dish soap.
- The mixture should be poured into small molds for bath bombs and left to set for 24 hours.
- To remove dirt and stains from your toilet bowl, drop a bomb in it.
- Allow it to sit for a few minutes before flushing.
A few drops of essential oil can be added to your cleaning supplies for an extra boost of freshness.
This is an excellent option to remove mild or light stains. You can use a second bomb to remove any remaining stains or wipe them off with a rag.
Bleach
Bleach can be used to disinfect and also remove stains. Most experts recommend bleach-based products to clean your toilet. You might not need to scrub your toilet if it isn’t too filthy.
Bleach releases oxygen molecules via an oxidation process. Bleach releases oxygen molecules that destroy the chemical connections between chromophores. Chromophores can be described as chemical substances that cause color.
Chromophore molecules that have been altered either reflect no color or are not visible in the visible spectrum. This lack of color is referred to by our eyes as white.
Method
- Put a bucket of water in your toilet bowl. The toilet bowl will flush automatically, but the tank will not be triggered to refill.
- Next, spray the entire bowl with a bleach-based cleaner.
- Allow it to sit for at most two hours before flushing your toilet to remove the bleach.
You don’t have to use harsh chlorine-based bleach in your bathroom (which includes sodium hypochlorite), if you aren’t convinced, then consider a milder alternative such as oxygen bleach, which contains hydrogen peroxide.
Avoid combining bleach with other household cleaners to avoid toxic fumes.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to fight germs. It is a chemical compound that contains two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms. Additionally, it disinfects surfaces by oxidizing compounds found in organic life.
It breaks down proteins and releases water. Follow these steps to clean your toilet using hydrogen peroxide
- In a bowl, add half a cup of hydrogen peroxide
- Then, leave it for half an hour.
- Rinse the bowl with water.
Coke
Stains are broken down by carbonation in soda. This is how it works: Carbonic acid in Coke reacts to calcium carbonate, which is the main ingredient of limestone. The limestone will foam up from the reaction, which then releases harmless bubbles of carbon dioxide. This can then be washed away along with dirt and oil.
Method
- Toss a can of Coke or another cola drink in your toilet bowl. To cover as much of your inner surface as possible, pour the soda around the bowl’s edges.
- Leave it in the toilet overnight and then flush it the next day.
The following steps can be used to clean your bowl with Coke:
- Spray coke in a spray bottle onto hard-to-reach areas.
- It can be left overnight
- The next morning, flush the bowl.
While Coke can dissolve stubborn stains, it will not disinfect your toilet. To kill any bacteria, use a gel or spray disinfectant spray to deep clean the toilet.
Muriatic Acid
This will remove rust and lime stains from your toilet bowl. This powerful acid can remove limescale. It can be hazardous so it should only be used as a last resort. Follow the instructions on the package.
Method
- You can empty the bowl by filling it with water or turning off the water supply. Then, flush the toilet.
- Mix 1 part muriatic Acid with 5 parts water and then fill the toilet bowl.
- Then, cover the toilet and allow the acid to sit for at least two to three hours.
- You should follow the instructions on how to get rid of the muriatic acid from the bowl. It can cause damage to your plumbing if it is flushed. You might be advised to either scoop the acid out of your toilet with an acid-safe container or neutralize it using baking soda.
Always wear protective equipment when handling muriatic acid. This includes acid-proof rubber gloves and safety goggles. Also, make sure to cover your skin with thick clothing.
Make sure the bathroom is well-ventilated and that no one uses it until you have removed the acid.
More tips to keep your toilet bowl clean without scrubbing
In order to prevent water stains from forming in your tank and bowl, you can install a water conditioner.
This is an option if your water is very mineral-rich. You might consider a water conditioner or softener if you are unable to remove the mineral stains from your toilet using white vinegar or other acidic cleaners.
Local water softener services are available. A good water softener can prevent mineral deposits, limescale, as well as rust stains from building up in your toilet bowl.
Water softeners may be suitable for you if you have well water that is high in metals and minerals.
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