Many people believe that they can keep their toilet clean by merely flushing it a few times. This is incorrect; a typical toilet is covered in germs and small deposits of fecal matter. Touching the toilet exposes your skin to some extremely dirty surfaces, and this is why it’s so important to clean it properly. Here are six steps to help you clean your toilet the right way.
Step 1: Clear the Area
Many people have many items on and around the toilet, and these need to be removed before cleaning can begin. Items such as plungers, toilet paper holders, pot pourri, and bathroom sprays should be removed to a safer location to avoid them being splashed with cleaning products and toilet water. When the area is clear, you will also find it easier to work.
Step 2: Applying your Cleaning Solution
Always wear some rubber gloves before you begin cleaning your toilet. Put the toilet lid down, give the toilet a flush, and then add your favorite toilet bowl cleaner. Get well under the rim, the closer, the better and allow the cleaning solution to sit there while you clean the rest of the toilet.
Step 3: Clean the Exterior
Start at the top of the toilet and wipe your way down with a toilet cleaning spray. Spray and wipe the toilet tank first and don’t forget to wipe the lid and the handle to kill any germs there. Once you’re happy with the tank, move onto the exterior surfaces of the bowl and work down to the base.
Step 4: Clean the Toilet Seat
This is actually the dirtiest part of the process; the toilet seat can host a large number of germs. Spray the cleaner on the seat, rim, and lid of the toilet and wipe the areas until they are sparkling clean. Then close the toilet lid and spray that awkward area that sits between the rear of the seat and the tank. Take care to clean around the hinges as these areas are often a forgotten breeding grounds for germs.
Step 5: Scrubbing the Bowl
The toilet cleaner has had plenty of time to work, so scrub the inside of the bowl with your toilet brush. Start under the rim and work around the bowl and down into the toilet hole. Once the bowl has been thoroughly scrubbed, you can close the lid and give the toilet a flush.
Step 6: Finish Inside the Tank
Most people finish their toilet cleaning at the step above, and they forget to clean inside the toilet tank. Open up the tank, turn off the water valve above and flush the toilet. This will drain the water out of the tank and allow you to work inside. Apply an appropriate cleaning product and scrub the inside of the tank to sanitize it thoroughly. If you discover any scale deposits, you can soften them with a spray of white vinegar. When you’ve finished turn the water valve back on and give the toilet a couple of flushes.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
