3 Easy Steps to a Clean and Disinfected Toilet
While cleaning routines vary by household, there’s one job that we must all tackle: cleaning the toilet.
As my kids grow older, I’ve tasked them with more household chores, like cleaning their bathroom, which includes giving the toilet a nice scrub. I give them three-step instructions to complete this task: 1) wipe down the base, toilet seat, and lid; 2) use toilet bowl cleaner and a brush to clean the inside of the toilet; and 3) rinse the toilet bowl brush before placing it back in its holder.
This process doesn’t take long but leaves all areas of the toilet clean and disinfected. Read below if you need detailed instructions for each of these steps.
Supplies for Cleaning a Toilet
Before you get to cleaning, round up the following supplies:
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Toilet bowl brush
- Disinfecting spray cleaner
- Paper towels
- Rubber gloves
How to Clean a Toilet: Step by Step
Put on your rubber gloves and follow these steps for a sparkling clean and disinfected toilet.
Step 1: Clean the Lid, Rim, Toilet Seat, and Base
Spray the toilet seat, lid, rim, flush handle, and base with a disinfecting cleaner. Then, wipe clean with paper towels.
For full disinfecting, allow the cleaner to sit for 2-10 minutes before wiping it off. Refer to the bottle for specific instructions.
Tip: You can use disinfecting wipes instead of a spray cleaner and paper towels. I let my kids use disinfecting wipes to make this job easier.
Step 2: Squirt Toilet Bowl Cleaner Under the Rim and Scrub
Squirt toilet bowl cleaner under the rim of the toilet, ensuring it coats the walls and travels down to the bottom of the bowl.
If you’re using a disinfecting toilet bowl cleaner, allow it to sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing it with your toilet bowl brush. Use gentle motions so you don’t slosh any water out.
You may need to reapply the toilet bowl cleaner on stains and use more pressure when scrubbing.
Afterward, flush the toilet to rinse.
Step 3: Clean the Toilet Brush
Rinse your toilet bowl brush in the clean toilet water, tap off excess moisture, and spray it with disinfecting cleaner before returning it to the caddy. Finally, mist the toilet bowl caddy with a disinfectant to kill lingering germs.
Troubleshooting How to Clean a Toilet
If you’re new to toilet cleaning, these tips can help you make the best of it.
- If you find a toilet bowl brush gross, opt for a disposable wand system. These wands come with disposable sponges preloaded with cleaner.
- Eliminate toilet rings with a pumice stone. If you have a stubborn ring, a pumice stone will scrub it off without scratching the bowl.
- If you don’t clean often, use automatic tablets that drop in the back of your tank. These tablets repel stains, keeping your toilet clean between scrubbings.
- You can clean your toilet with white distilled vinegar, but if you do, don’t mix it with any bleach-containing products.
- Replace your toilet bowl brush about every three months.