To maintain plumbing and keep sewer gases out of your home, unused toilets should be flushed at least once a week. This ensures the water in the P-trap (the curved pipe behind the toilet) does not evaporate.
Unused toilets are a bit like unused cars, in that you need to run them periodically so they don't stop working altogether. For toilets, you need to flush them at least once a week. Additionally, you can't really overdo it, so if you're not sure, flush anyway. It can't hurt.
Around 70% of the world doesn't rely on toilet paper in the way we do, turning to water before tissue.
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.
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.
The most frequently forgotten items when traveling are phone chargers, toothbrushes, and sunscreen. Because these are used daily right up until the moment of departure—often in the bathroom or on the nightstand—they are easily left behind.
If you're leaving a toilet for 6 months or more, the water in the bowl and traps will evaporate, allowing odors and gases to escape. Here's how to prevent that: Pour a cup of RV antifreeze into the toilet bowl and tank. Cover the toilet bowl tightly with plastic wrap to slow evaporation.
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.
The idea behind this hack is that as the soap slowly dissolves, it releases soapy water every time you flush. This is supposed to help keep your toilet bowl clean and fight off stains and mold. People see it as a cheaper option compared to those toilet cleaning tablets you buy at the store.
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 Old Order Amish communities view store-bought toilet paper as an unnecessary indulgence or luxury. Instead, they rely on readily available, sustainable alternatives like crumpled-up old newspapers, mail-order catalogs, corn cobs, and cloth rags, though more progressive groups now commonly use conventional toilet paper.
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.
Not flushing the toilet after urinating—commonly known as "letting it mellow"—can save a significant amount of water. However, leaving stagnant urine in the bowl is generally not recommended in shared spaces, as it leads to lingering ammonia odors, bacterial growth, and faster mineral buildup.
Before mass-produced toilet paper arrived in the mid-1800s, people worldwide relied on readily available natural materials or whatever scrap paper was on hand. The exact choice varied wildly by region, climate, and socioeconomic status.
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes each time you brush. This recommendation is from the American Dental Association. When you brush, you help take food and plaque off your teeth. Plaque is a sticky white film that forms on teeth.
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.
Placing a toilet paper roll under the toilet seat is primarily used as a discreet signal to the next person that the bathroom has run out of toilet paper. People also use it as a makeshift cushion in shared bathrooms to silence loud seat-slams during the night.
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.
People wrap foil around doorknobs as a viral DIY alarm and visual deterrent. The theory is that if an intruder tries to turn the handle from the outside, the crinkling noise will wake you, or the ripped foil will let you know someone attempted to enter while you were asleep.
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.
Sitting on the toilet for more than 5-10 minutes is bad because it strains rectal blood vessels and weakens pelvic muscles. The open seat and gravity cause blood to pool in the anus, leading to a much higher risk of painful hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, and chronic constipation.
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.