How to Clean a Toilet

Wondering how to clean a toilet? Follow this simple cleaning process!

After a lot of cleaning discussions with friends, I think every homemaker either loves or hates cleaning toilets. There is no in between.

I don’t hate cleaning toilets – in fact, there are few other places in my home that I feel more satisfaction after cleaning. There’s something about seeing a disgustingly dirty toilet bowl and the scrubbing it until it shines.

I’ve tried a lot of different methods and products over the years – from cleaning toilet bowls with toxic sprays, to just using a Norwex EnviroCloth.

I’ve tried cleaning toilets with Kool-Aid (it works!), a can of Coca-Cola, and something as simple as a squirt of castile soap and sprinkle of baking soda.

Currently, I’ve reached a happy medium. The products I use are safe, which is a must in my home, and effective.

So how do I clean my toilets?

First of all, I start with the outside of my toilet.

For the entire outside (don’t miss the handle … and the base of the toilet where it meets the floor), spray the surface down with an all-purpose spray and wipe it off with a paper towel.

Next, I clean the toilet seat.

I spritz it with an all-purpose cleaning spray and then wipe it off.

Finally, I squirt toilet bowl cleaner in the toilet bowl.

I let it sit for five minutes, then scrub it out. Currently I’m using Method Toilet Bowl Cleaner that I ordered from Grove Collaborative, but have used Seventh Generation and Ecover in the past.

If the toilet bowl seems fairly clean – or if I’m cleaning it every day – I’ll use the baking soda/castile soap combination. I like to choose the peppermint liquid castile soap for a fresh, minty scent.

About toilet brushes …

I’ve upgraded my toilet brushes over the years. Right out of college, I chose the cheapest brush – and found that the plastic and wire brush rusted quickly. I upgraded to an all-plastic brush, and was content.

But a couple years ago I switched to Norwex’s Ergonomic Toilet Brush. Admittedly I was skeptical about the price – but if I can say that I love a toilet brush, I do love this toilet brush. It’s sturdy and has thick, rubbery bristles that do an amazing job cleaning. I plan on keeping this particular toilet brush for a long time.

The good news in cleaning a toilet is that wiping the toilet and scrubbing out the toilet bowl is a very quick process – five minutes at the most, if I’m really meticulous.

But really, swishing the toilet bowl and swiping it all clean is super quick. I like making a big difference quickly. If only every homemaking chore was so gratifying!

How about you … do you love or hate cleaning toilets? How do you clean a toilet?

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All images courtesy of Pixabay and Adobe Stock.

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Hilary

Hilary Bernstein is a Christ follower, wife, homeschooling mama, and writer who believes every Christian woman can live with peace and purpose. She's happiest when she's hosting friends and family for dinner, going on date nights with her husband, singing along to the radio, traveling with her family, and spending cozy nights at home. The author of fifteen books,Hilary also is Women's Ministry Director at The Chapel in Green, Ohio.