How do I get the mold smell out of my toilet tank?

Author: Coy Hill  |  Last update: Friday, November 21, 2025

Hydrogen peroxide is good for more than sterilizing cuts-it can kill mold too! If you've got hydrogen peroxide in your household cabinet, you are more than ready to tackle that toilet bowl and tank mold. Pour a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet bowl. Use a toilet brush and scrub the entire bowl.

How to get rid of mildew smell in toilet tank?

Using Vinegar as a Natural Toilet Cleaner

Vinegar is a natural cleaning solution for toilet tanks. It's cheap and eco-friendly. Vinegar is also safe to use in most plumbing systems, and it dissolves mineral deposits, kills bacteria, and neutralizes offensive odors.

How to deodorize a toilet tank?

White vinegar and baking soda in equal parts are a cost-efficient and effective means of getting rid of odors in a toilet. Add them to the tank, mix them in and then use the toilet brush to gently scrub the tank. Let it sit for a few hours, scrub the tank again and flush.

How to get rid of mold in your toilet tank?

The chemical removes the toughest of stains including mold in the toilet.
  1. Add hydrogen peroxide and water in the ratio of 3:1 into a spray bottle. ...
  2. Spray the solution around the affected areas and allow it to soak in for about 30 minutes.
  3. Scrub the toilet bowl, seat, rims, and tank using a toilet brush or sponge.

What do plumbers recommend to clean toilet tanks?

We recommend using a mixture of ¼ cup of vinegar for every 1 cup of water. This ensures your toilet tank is being disinfected without causing damage, which the use of bleach or chemical cleaners can do.

Cleaning Mold from your Toilet Tank

Is it safe to leave vinegar in the toilet tank overnight?

Vinegar is great for removing hard water deposits, soap scum, and other build-up from many surfaces in your home, including your toilet. When used correctly, it can be a safe and effective cleaning agent. However, leaving vinegar in the toilet overnight may not be the best idea.

Why put Fabuloso in toilet tank?

They either dump the entire bottle directly into the toilet tank, or cut a hole at the bottom of the bottle and place it inside the tank. The idea is that whenever they flush, the toilet bowl itself will fill up with the sweet smell of Fabuloso, negating any unsavory scents that might otherwise be lingering.

What is the best toilet tank cleaner for mold?

If mold in the toilet tank is a problem, do not use toilet bowl cleaners, which are designed only for use in the toilet bowl. Instead, you can use a bleach and water solution made with Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach to clean mold in a toilet tank following the procedures described here.

Does mold in toilet tank mean mold in house?

While it's not impossible for a lucky spore to make it inside the toilet tank, it's far more likely that a mold colony elsewhere is pumping spores into the indoor air.

Can I put bleach in a toilet water 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."

Why does toilet tank smell bad?

Although the water in your toilet tank is clean and even drinkable, bacteria can grow in your toilet's feeder pipes, particularly during hot and humid summer weather. These pesky microorganisms not only smell like rotten eggs; they're generally unhealthy to have in your home.

What happens if you put baking soda in the toilet tank?

It's essential to clean the inside of a toilet tank to remove mineral deposits that can damage or interfere with the toilet's operation. Baking soda will absorb odors, break down stains, and dislodge fungal growth with its abrasive power.

Why put aluminum foil balls in a toilet tank?

It is widely claimed that adding aluminum foil to a toilet tank helps to achieve a clean and shiny toilet, but critics challenge these claims due to a lack of scientific evidence.

How do you clean and deodorize a toilet tank?

Vinegar is a great toilet cleaning solution. Not only is it free of chemicals and naturally antibacterial, it's also an acid, so it will remove minor lime and calcium deposits. All you need to do is pour a couple cups of vinegar in your tank and let it sit for an hour or so, then scrub and flush to rinse.

What does toilet mold smell like?

A Musty Smell

It's often described as musty and earthy and may even smell like rotting vegetables, plants, or paper. Some think it smells like cedar. You might notice a musty smell but cannot see any mold growing. In this case, you should look for areas that might be exposed to water.

How do I get rid of the smell in my tank?

He said chlorination is the best way to remove the smell from the water tank. To do that, add a solution containing chlorine and let it settle for a few hours before fully draining it out. This will eliminate any bacteria or algae that could be the source of the smell.

How to get rid of mold in a toilet tank?

Method #1: Vinegar

To get rid of toilet mold with vinegar, the first thing you will need to do is pour 1 cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl and another cup of vinegar in the tank with the water. This then assures that both your bowl AND tank will be cleaned. Next, sprinkle baking soda on the inside of your toilet.

Can black mold in the toilet make you sick?

Can black mold make you sick? If you have mold allergies, black mold can make you sick. Black mold produces spores, which can enter the air. Molds also produce microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs), which create an unpleasant “moldy” or musty smell.

What to put in a toilet tank to keep it clean?

Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid, recommends starting with vinegar to soak the tank. “First, remove the lid and take a peek inside,” she told Martha Stewart Living. “If you see any mineral buildup or crud, pour four cups of vinegar into the tank. Allow this to soak for up to an hour.”

What do professionals use to clean toilets?

Professional cleaners often use the same household supplies as you would: toilet-bowl cleaner (or bleach), disinfectant wipes, rubber gloves, as well as a nonscratch scrub sponge, a microfiber cloth, or paper towels. A handheld scrub brush or a pumice stone can get to especially tough stains.

Is bleach or vinegar better for mold in bathrooms?

Vinegar is best to use on porous surfaces and is considered a safer option for removing mold. Advantage of Using Vinegar: White vinegar is a safer solution to tackle a mess of household mold. Unlike bleach, vinegar does not emit toxic fumes. Vinegar is effective when combined with water.

Is it okay to put baking soda in a toilet tank?

“Baking soda in your toilet tank can actually help eliminate odors in your toilet,” Wakefield says. Carpenter says it can also prevent limescale and mineral buildup.”

Is magic eraser safe on a toilet bowl?

Drop a Magic Eraser corner straight into the toilet bowl. Before washing the toilet ring, let the Magic Eraser soak in the water for a few minutes. Once the stain is gone, swirl the Magic Eraser around the toilet bowl. To have the cleaning residue washed away, flush the toilet.

Should you clean the inside of your toilet tank?

It's recommended to clean your toilet tank at least twice a year. If you have well water or hard water, which can leave behind more mineral deposits and residue, you should aim to clean the toilet tank every other month or four times a year.

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