It’s not exactly glamorous, but your toilet is easily one of the most-used seats in your home. Creating a beautiful ambience via a jewel box bathroom or beautiful tiling makes this a more enjoyable space, but it’s also important to maintain cleanliness. The good news is that it doesn’t require a lot of time or loads of elbow grease to get this essential fixture sparkling clean. Here, find our no-fail, no-germ-left-behind guide on how to clean a toilet.
How Often You Should Clean Your Toilet
Toilets that are used throughout the day every day should get a deep clean at least once per week, says Logan Taylor, a cleaning professional and founder of The Dazzle Cleaning Company. This includes tending to the inside of the bowl and the tank. You should also wipe the exterior down, including the handle and around the seat, every day.
Toilets that are used less frequently—like guest bathroom toilets or powder room toilets typically reserved for guests—can be cleaned less frequently. “These toilets that are rarely used don’t need to be deep cleaned each week, but they do need to receive a touch-up cleaning or, at the minimum, a flush regularly to prevent hard water mineral build-up,” Taylor says.
I’ve noticed in my own home that sticking to a weekly deep clean for the main bathroom toilet keeps it looking fresh and prevents any stubborn stains from settling in. For guest bathrooms, a quick flush every few days does wonders to avoid that pesky hard water ring. Hard water, which affects about 85% of U.S. households according to the U.S. Geological Survey, can leave calcium and magnesium deposits that cling to porcelain if not addressed regularly. A simple trick I’ve picked up is adding a splash of white vinegar to the tank every couple of weeks to help break down those minerals before they build up. It’s a small step that saves a lot of scrubbing later.
Tools You’ll Need
Trust us, you don’t want to stop mid-task to search for a pumice stone. Instead, have all of your tools within arm’s reach, perhaps organized in a handy bucket in a utility closet that you can grab whenever cleaning the toilet.
- Disinfecting spray and wipes
- Paper towels
- Sturdy pair of long cleaning gloves
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Stiff-bristle toilet brush
- Pumice stone on a stick
Keeping everything in one bucket is a game-changer—I use an old caddy from a dollar store, and it’s been a lifesaver for quick cleanups. A good pair of gloves is non-negotiable; I prefer the longer ones because they keep my wrists clean, especially when scrubbing under the rim. If you’re budget-conscious, a basic toilet bowl cleaner can cost as little as $2-$3, and a pumice stone on a stick is usually under $5. For those worried about harsh chemicals, look for eco-friendly cleaners with natural acids like citric acid, which are just as effective at breaking down stains but gentler on the environment. I’ve found that storing tools in a well-ventilated closet prevents any musty smells, especially for the toilet brush.
Instructions
With all your supplies in tow, you’re officially ready to follow this simple, step-by-step guide for cleaning the toilet bowl.
- Roll up your sleeves and put on your long rubber gloves. This is a bit of a dirty job, so you’ll want to remain as sanitary as possible.
- Generously squeeze the toilet bowl cleaner into the bowl in a circular motion, targeting the upper interior sides of the bowl and making sure to cover the entire surface, including under the rim.
- Let the cleaner set for five to 10 minutes. Different products have different usage instructions, so check the instructions on the cleaner for the recommended amount of time.
- Scrub the entire surface with your toilet brush, paying special attention to any stains or buildup. Make sure to clean underneath the rim, which is a hot spot for bacteria and mineral deposits.
- Flush the toilet to rinse away the cleaner and any loosened dirt, grime, and mineral deposits.
- Check for any remaining stains and repeat.
- Use your pumice stone to gently scrub away hard water mineral deposits, which tend to create a ring where the water level rests. Choose a stone on a stick so your hands don’t have to get too close to the toilet bowl. A few swipes with the pumice stone should do the trick. (Because the pumice is a softer stone, it won’t scratch the porcelain surface.)
- Flush again.
- Wipe down the exterior of the toilet with disinfectant spray and paper towels, or with a disinfectant wipe. This is one of the few situations where using disposable products makes sense.
- Once the toilet’s clean, you’ll probably want to peel off your gloves right away. Before you do, head for the sink and give your gloved hands a good scrubbing with soap and hot water. It’s the best way to make sure you don’t get your hands dirty and get every inch of the gloves clean. Toss disposable gloves or let non-disposable gloves air dry.
I’ve learned the hard way that skipping the “let the cleaner sit” step makes scrubbing so much tougher—those extra minutes let the cleaner do the heavy lifting. For tough stains, I sometimes leave the cleaner for an extra five minutes, especially in homes with hard water. Studies show that toilet rims can harbor up to 1,000 times more bacteria than the seat, so don’t skimp on scrubbing that area. If you’re using a pumice stone, go easy—too much pressure can wear down the porcelain’s glaze over time, which I noticed after overzealously tackling a stubborn ring. For the exterior, I’ve started using microfiber cloths instead of paper towels for a streak-free finish; they’re reusable and cut down on waste.
Expert Tips for Cleaning Your Toilet Bowl
Along with cleaning out the bowl, keep these expert tips in mind when tackling your toilet.
Wipe Down the Toilet’s Exterior Daily
Toilets that are used daily should be wiped down every day, or every other day at most. This includes the entire exterior of the bowl, top of the tank, pedestal, and handle. “Speed up cleaning the outside of the toilet bowl by wiping away any debris, hair, or condensation with a dry cleaning cloth,” Taylor says. “Next, spray the outside of the bowl with your favorite disinfectant spray, and note that many all-purpose cleaners do not disinfect. I like to keep it simple by spraying the outside of the toilet bowls with hydrogen peroxide, which both brightens and disinfects.” Let the cleaner sit on the surface for five to 10 minutes and then wipe it away.
I’ve made it a habit to keep a spray bottle of hydrogen peroxide under the sink—it’s cheap, usually around $1 per bottle, and doubles as a whitener for the toilet’s exterior. A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth takes less than a minute and keeps the toilet looking pristine between deep cleans. Be cautious with all-purpose cleaners; a study from the EPA found that many don’t kill common bathroom bacteria like E. coli unless they specifically say “disinfectant” on the label. I also like to give the flush valve a quick swipe, as it’s one of the most-touched spots and can get grimy fast.
Try DIYing Your Own Cleaning Solution
Whether you’ve run out of toilet bowl cleaner or prefer a DIY approach, you can make your own. “First, pour enough vinegar into the bowl to cover the stains. Next, let it soak in for 30 minutes to an hour,” says Marla Mock, cleaning expert and president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company. “Then, grab a toilet brush and scrub away. If the vinegar doesn’t work fully, add baking soda and let it sit for about 10 minutes, then scrub again with your toilet brush.”
I’ve used this vinegar trick when I’ve run out of cleaner, and it’s surprisingly effective—vinegar’s acetic acid breaks down limescale like nobody’s business. A gallon of white vinegar costs about $3, and baking soda is even cheaper, making this a budget-friendly option. For an extra boost, I sometimes heat the vinegar slightly (not boiling!) before pouring it in; the warmth helps loosen stains faster. Just be sure to ventilate the bathroom, as the vinegar smell can be strong. This method is also eco-friendly, reducing plastic waste from store-bought cleaners.
Clean Your Cleaning Tools
Prop the wet toilet brush under the seat cover and pour bleach or cleaning solution over its business end, into the toilet bowl. Let sit for a minute, then rinse with a pitcher of water. Clean the brush’s canister by filling it with warm, soapy water; you can dump it right in the toilet, too. Resist the urge to stick the damp brush back in the canister and be done with it, says Melissa Maker, author of Clean My Space. Instead, you want to let the brush air out completely before putting it away, to ensure you’re not encouraging bacteria growth.
I used to shove my toilet brush back into its holder right after cleaning, and it started to smell funky after a while—lesson learned! Now, I hang the brush to dry over the bowl for a few hours. A quick tip: if you don’t have bleach, a splash of hydrogen peroxide works just as well for disinfecting the brush. Keeping the canister clean is key too; I’ve found that a weekly rinse with soapy water keeps it odor-free. This small step prevents your tools from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria, which can multiply rapidly in damp environments, according to microbiology research.
Consider the Toilet Seat Cover
If you have a toilet seat cover that is made of fabric, you should remove it when cleaning the toilet and throw it in the wash, Mock says. If you have a regular plastic seat cover, you don’t need to remove it. “If it makes it easier to reach the more difficult to get to areas, then we do recommend you remove it for a deeper more thorough clean. Make sure you’re careful while removing the seat cover so you don’t damage it,” she says.
I’ve got a plastic seat cover, and I only pop it off every few months for a deep clean—it’s a bit of a hassle but worth it to get those hidden crevices. For fabric covers, washing them weekly with your towels keeps them fresh; I toss mine in with a bit of bleach for extra sanitation. If you’re removing a plastic seat, check the bolts first—mine were a bit rusty, so I replaced them with stainless steel ones for about $5 to avoid future headaches. A clean seat cover not only looks better but also reduces the risk of harboring germs, especially in high-traffic bathrooms.
