If your toilet is looking grimy, has stubborn hard water stains, or you’ve just never deep cleaned it before, don’t worry! With a few smart steps and the right cleaning routine, you can get your toilet sparkling clean and fresh in no time. The process is simple, effective, and can make your entire bathroom smell and feel cleaner. Here’s the best way to clean your toilet like a pro.
What You’ll Need
Start by Dusting the Toilet
Before you grab your cleaners and start spraying, it’s important to dust the toilet first. It might sound unnecessary, but this step makes a big difference. When you skip dusting, hair, lint, and dust can mix with your cleaner and turn into a sticky mess that’s hard to wipe away.
You can use a few different tools for this step, some toilet paper, paper towel, or an old Swiffer dusting head. Reusing old dusting heads works great for this job since you’ll toss them afterward anyway. Start at the top of the toilet and work your way down to the base, paying special attention to that lower area where dust often hides.
Taking just a few minutes to remove all that dust first makes every other step faster and easier. Plus, it prevents frustration later when wiping down the toilet multiple times just to remove a few stray hairs.
Prep the Toilet Bowl for Deep Cleaning
If your toilet bowl is really dirty or has buildup, there’s a simple trick to make your cleaner work better. Fill a bucket with water and pour it quickly into the bowl. This manually flushes the toilet but leaves the water level low so your cleaner can reach all the stains and grime more effectively.
You don’t need to do this every time you clean, but it’s great for a deep clean or if your toilet hasn’t been tackled in a while. Lowering the water level allows your cleaner to attack hard water rings and mineral buildup directly, saving you extra scrubbing time later.
Clean the Toilet Bowl
For a powerful clean, use a toilet bowl cleaner with bleach; Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner is a classic that gets great results. Apply a generous amount around the inside rim of the bowl in a full 360° motion so the cleaner coats every surface.
When it comes to scrubbing, a traditional toilet brush is still the best choice. The stiff bristles help you reach under the rim and deep into the bowl, breaking down buildup efficiently. Silicone brushes might look sleek, but they usually don’t scrub as well. After cleaning, let the solution sit for at least five minutes to disinfect and break down grime.
If you still see stains after rinsing, repeat the process or reach for a pumice stone. Pumice stones are fantastic for removing hard water rings and mineral deposits. Just make sure the surface is wet and lightly scrub, let the stone do the work. If you have stubborn rust or limescale, look for a specialized cleaner that targets those specific stains. And if your home has a septic system, double-check that your cleaner is septic-safe before using it.
Clean the Rest of the Toilet
Once the bowl is handled, it’s time to clean the exterior. If you’re doing a deep clean, removing the seat gives you better access to all the nooks and crannies. Most toilet seats are easy to remove by unscrewing the bolts or releasing the quick-lift tabs. Cleaning underneath helps eliminate hidden grime and odors.
For the outside, you can use a bleach-based cleaner like Clorox Cleanup or a gentler disinfectant such as Inside Disinfectant Spray. Always check that your chosen cleaner is safe for your toilet’s surfaces and let it sit for the proper dwell time before wiping.
Spray down the entire toilet, from the tank to the base and wipe it thoroughly. A two-towel system works best: one damp cloth for cleaning and one dry microfiber towel for buffing and shining. Fold your towels in quarters so you can flip to a fresh side as you go, minimizing cross-contamination.
Don’t forget the area around the toilet, especially the floor. Even small splashes and drips can create unpleasant odors over time. Spraying and wiping the floor around the toilet helps keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean.
Clean the Toilet Seat and Brush
If you removed the toilet seat, spray it with disinfectant and rinse it thoroughly before reattaching. If that feels awkward, you can even spray it down outside with a hose for a faster clean.
After you’ve finished cleaning, always disinfect your toilet brush. Spray it down well with your cleaner and let it dry by pinching it between the bowl and the seat. This keeps the brush from growing bacteria and prolongs its life.
How Often Should You Clean Your Toilet?
Because toilets are used so often, they should be cleaned at least once a week. If you have a large household or a busy bathroom, a quick daily wipe-down can help keep things fresh and make deep cleaning easier. A consistent routine not only prevents buildup but also keeps odors away and your bathroom feeling clean all the time.
And once you’re done cleaning, give yourself some credit! Cleaning a toilet might not be glamorous, but it’s a big part of maintaining a fresh, healthy home. You did it like a pro.
