Nobody likes cleaning the toilet, but it has to be done. But are you doing it correctly? Learn how to clean your toilet the right way in this brief guide.
Toilets are a breeding ground for germs. On average there are 3.2 million bacteria per square inch in your toilet bowl.
Some of these germs are pathogenic, meaning they can get you sick. You could catch E. coli, norovirus, and even a staph infection from a dirty toilet bowl.
Cleaning your toilets frequently will help keep you and your loved ones safe. What is the right way to clean a toilet?
Keep reading and we’ll give you an in-depth guide on how to clean your toilet.
What to Clean Toilet With
The first step is to make sure you have all the right supplies.
You’ll need personal protective equipment to be safe. Round up some rubber gloves to avoid touching germs and goggles to keep chemicals out of your eyes.
If the smell of cleaning products bother you, use an old t-shirt or handkerchief to cover your nose and mouth. If you’re particularly sensitive to chemicals, you may want to hire a cleaning service to avoid them altogether.
Next, you’ll need a toilet brush to clean the inside of the bowl. For the outside, you’ll need paper towels or cloth.
Last but not least, you’ll need your cleaning solutions. Get liquid toilet cleaner for the inside of your bowl and a spray ‘bathroom’ cleaner for the rest of the toilet.
Once you’ve readied your supplies, it’s time to start the cleaning process.
How to Clean Outside of Toilet
The best way to clean a toilet is to start with the least dirty parts and work your way up to the dirtiest. That being said, you always start with the same step.
Before you do ANYTHING else, you want to apply the liquid toilet cleaner to the inside of the bowl. This will let your toilet bowl soak while you clean the outside of your toilet.
Once the bowl is soaking, start cleaning at the top to prevent leaking onto cleaned surfaces. Use the spray and your rag to wipe down the tank and the handle.
Once the back is clean, move onto the outermost lid. Do not lift the lid as the seat is dirtier than the exterior.
After the lid, finish cleaning the exterior by wiping down the bottom of your toilet.
How to Clean Toilet Seat
It’s important to thoroughly clean your toilet seat as it’s the main part your body comes into contact with.
Start by wiping down the actual seat with cleaner. Once it’s clean, move to the hinges of the seat and the rim of your toilet. After cleaning the seat, wipe it down with water to prevent coming into contact with cleaning materials.
How to Clean Your Toilet Bowl
Cleaning the toilet bowl is the last step. By now, your toilet bowl should have been soaking in cleaning liquid.
Start by scrubbing under the rim. You don’t want to scrub toilets too hard to avoid splash back. Once under the rim is cleaned, scrub the toilet bowl until stains are gone.
The last step is to scrub the drain hole. Once everything is clean, give the toilet a flush.
Flush Your Worries
By now you should know exactly how to clean your toilet. It’s not an easy job, but it needs to be done.
Not everyone has the time or energy to clean this thoroughly. Between work, kids, and extracurriculars, there’s no shame in needing a little help.
