'Some fabric conditioners may even contain toxic ingredients like benzyl acetate and ethanol. So from an environmental perspective, putting these directly into a toilet tank isn't going to be good for the water ecosystem,' explains Izzy.
A popular TikTok video promises your bathroom will smell like clean laundry every time you flush the toilet if you pour a cup of fabric softener into the toilet tank. However, like many social media hacks, this one is too good to be true, and plumbing experts warn that you'll actually be ruining your septic system.
Cleaning your toilet tank is a very quick and easy procedure. We recommend using a mixture of ¼ cup of vinegar for every 1 cup of water.
According to Abrams, an ordinary bar of soap placed inside a mask, a net, or any other porous material should be a perfectly safe way to keep a toilet bowl clean when you flush it. But there are a few caveats to consider.
'We've all seen the mess fabric softener can leave in a washing machine drawer. Over time it leaves a sticky film, which can coagulate and block your washing machine,' says Izzy Shulman, director at Plumbers4U. 'If added to a toilet this means it may build-up and stick somewhere in your drainage. '
Cleaning your toilet regularly with vinegar will prevent hard water stain buildups. Add a little vinegar to the bowl and scrub away stains with your toilet brush once weekly. Since you'll likely have hard water buildups in your toilet tank, a monthly vinegar application up top can keep the whole system clean.
One of the main problems with fabric softeners is that they can easily clog drains. The chemicals in fabric softeners coat the inside of your pipes, which eventually leads to a build-up of gunk and grime. Over time, this build-up will get so bad that it will completely block your drain, causing severe plumbing issues.
Cleaning professionals and plumbers recommend cleaning with vinegar to remove buildup and stains from toilet tanks and other surfaces. Mix it with baking soda, however, and you could damage your tank and plumbing.
Cleaning your toilet tank is pretty quick and easy with vinegar and baking soda. You only need to do it once or twice a year, and it can help get rid of bacteria, mold, and mineral deposits to keep you and your family healthy.
To dissolve mineral deposits in your pipeline, pour one cup of distilled white vinegar into the toilet's overflow tube (located in the toilet tank). Let the vinegar sit for at least thirty minutes before flushing.
If the clog still seems to be intact, start over at step 1 and repeat the process a couple of times. For extra-stubborn clogs, you can let the fizz mixture sit overnight or combine this method with plunging.
Preparing to Clean the Toilet Tank
"The biggest don't when it comes to toilet tanks is bleach—do not use bleach or products containing bleach inside the tank, as it can corrode the internal parts of your toilet. If you are aiming to remove tough stains from the tank, I also recommend white vinegar diluted with water."
You'll need about 3-7 gallons of white vinegar. Fill the tank to the overflow tube. You want to make sure that you cover any rust, mold or algae that might be in the tank. Allow the vinegar to sit in the tank for 12 - 13 hours.
But it comes at a cost: Fabric softener can reduce flame resistance on children's sleepwear, and the residue buildup in the machine can create a healthy environment for mildew to grow in. It can even diminish workout clothes' wicking ability.
Dishwasher tablets are meant to dissolve hard water stains, so they're the perfect solution for cleaning toilets. Besides cleaning dishes and toilet bowls, you can use dishwasher tablets for a few more cleaning projects around the house.
As it turns out, you can actually unclog a toilet with dish soap instead of turning to a harsh, toxic bowl cleaner.
If you don't have any disposable face masks at home, you could also place the bar soap in a hair net, cheesecloth, or another porous material, as long as it has some way to hook onto the tank. In theory, every time you flush, the soapy water will clean the toilet's internal plumbing and wash out the bowl.
Some use natural ingredients while some use ingredients similar to those in Mr. Clean, but in different concentrations. In general, plumbers caution against the use of any chemicals inside a toilet tank and suggest instead using bowl-based toilet cleaners.
Make your own drain cleaner by pouring one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar into the toilet and adding a half gallon of hot water. Dish soap can also help loosen some obstructions. When using either method, allow the solution to sit overnight and then flush the toilet to see if the obstruction has cleared.
Soften only what you need to. People often choose to soften showers, sinks, and laundry hookups. Toilets, hose bibs, basement sinks, and other cold water taps typically do not need to be connected to a softener.