To prepare toilets for a long vacation, turn off the water supply to each toilet, flush to empty the tanks, and pour non-toxic RV antifreeze or mineral oil into the bowls. This stops sewer odors from entering your home, prevents water evaporation, and keeps residual water from freezing if the power goes out.
Turn off the water to your house. Put a cup or 2 of Clorox in the bowl and in the tank and cover the bowl with Saran Wrap. When you come home just flush and everything will be fine. We often travel away from home for 4or 5 months at a stretch with no problems.
To keep your toilet bowl clean while you are on vacation, your main goal is to prevent the water from evaporating and to stop bacteria or mold from feeding on stagnant water.
A toilet should go no longer than one week without flushing. If left unused longer, the water in the bowl’s trap will evaporate, releasing foul sewer gases into your home and creating a breeding ground for bacteria or pests.
Dish soap has the ability to lubricate and break down the bonds of fats and grease. When poured into the toilet, dish soap helps lubricate the waste causing the clog, while also breaking down its structure, allowing it to easily flow down the drain.
People put aluminum foil in the toilet as an internet-famous cleaning and maintenance hack, though its actual effectiveness is highly debated. The reasons for doing it generally fall into two categories:
Tackle severely stained toilet bowls by emptying the water to expose the stains, then applying a strong acid (like hydrochloric acid or vinegar) or a pumice stone. The most effective approach depends on the stain: mineral/limescale rings require an acid to dissolve the buildup, while organic stains respond well to bleach.
Around 70% of the world doesn't rely on toilet paper in the way we do, turning to water before tissue.
Some common causes of high water bills include:
To keep an unused toilet bowl clean, shut off the water valve behind the toilet, flush to empty the tank and bowl, and let the porcelain dry. Pour in a generous amount of white vinegar and add a cup of mineral oil over the water's surface to completely prevent evaporation.
Clean your toilet with vinegar: Vinegar is a natural deodoriser and disinfectant that can help neutralise the acidity in urine, leaving your toilet smelling fresh and clean. Simply mix equal parts water and vinegar, scrub your toilet bowl, and let it sit for a few minutes before flushing.
Plumbers recommend cleaning toilets using distilled white vinegar for safe, natural maintenance, or commercial acidic/enzymatic cleaners for tough mineral buildup. They strictly advise avoiding harsh chemicals like drop-in bleach tablets, which can corrode internal rubber flappers and flush valves over time.
One very low tech method to unclog a toilet is to use a white wine vinegar and baking soda solution, as the chemical reaction can help dissolve the waste.
Yes, you absolutely can leave vinegar in your toilet bowl overnight. It is one of the most effective, natural ways to break down hard water stains, limescale, and bacteria without damaging your porcelain.
Yes. A thousand times, yes! Wiping is about more than just helping you clean up after you use the toilet – it's also to protect your health. Wiping improperly can increase the risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI) and vaginitis in women, and UTIs, itching and general discomfort in men.
Empty the Tank
After the water is shut off, flush the toilets a few times to empty the water out of them. It is rare for a toilet tank to spontaneously begin to link, but it could happen, especially if you live in an area that is prone to seismic disturbances. Don't worry about any residual water in the tank.
Showers: Longer or more frequent showers, especially with guests, can significantly increase water use. A single 10-minute shower can use 20–50 gallons.
The #1 water waster in your home is the toilet.
A leaking toilet can waste 15,000 gallons of water a month.
Average monthly water bill
The average water bill in the U.S. is $49 per month, with most bills falling between $40 and $60 per month. However, monthly water bills range from $15 to $100+, depending on the household size, water usage, and location. A typical family of 4 uses over 300 gallons of water per day.
Yes, an estimated 70% of the world does not use dry toilet paper to wipe. Instead, many cultures across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Europe prioritize washing with water.
Many traditional Amish communities consider manufactured toilet paper an unnecessary luxury and use resource-saving alternatives instead. In outhouses, families often repurpose old newspapers, magazine pages, or catalogs (like the Sears and Roebuck catalog). To make the paper soft enough to use, they crumple it vigorously multiple times.
Eating any food while on the toilet is forbidden. After defecating, the anus must be washed with water using the left hand, or an odd number of smooth stones or pebbles called jamrah or hijaarah (Sahih Al-Bukhari 161, Book 4, Hadith 27). Many jurists agree that toilet paper suffices in place of these stones.
Baking soda, borax and tea tree oil combine to make a heavy-duty toilet bowl cleaner.
Mixing baking soda and vinegar in a toilet creates a fizzy chemical reaction that releases carbon dioxide gas. While the bubbling action helps loosen mild grime and neutralize odors, it neutralizes both ingredients into simple salt water and is not strong enough to clear heavy toilet clogs.