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. Adding anything but water to a toilet tank could result in potentially costly repairs, Abrams says.
Vinegar and Baking Soda Scrub
Grab the Dawn, vinegar and baking soda. Drain the water out of the tank. Add 2 tablespoons of Dawn, a cup of vinegar and ½ cup of baking soda. Use the toilet brush to swish it around.
However, the outlet notes that if you have well water, it's a good idea to clean it up to four times a year. We know what not to put in a toilet tank! We have found that bleach, fabric softener, and putting Fabuloso in your tank may not be the best idea.
They Lead to Corrosion
This leads to a reduction in your pipes' integrity and leaves you more vulnerable to leaks and costly repairs. These chemical cleaners will also corrode the parts of your toilet, even back in the tank, which will eventually require repair more often than you need.
"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," says Patty Stoffelen, a bath fixtures merchant for The Home Depot to Martha Stewart.
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.
Bleach doesn't harm the porcelain, but it can do damage inside the tank. Putting bleach in your toilet tank can damage the rubber seals and corrode the metal parts over time.
You can clean the toilet using this product by pouring a little into the bowl and scrubbing clean. But we don't recommend placing Fabuloso or any other all-purpose cleaner in the back of the toilet tank. Such cleaners can be corrosive and may degrade the rubber gasket and seal in your tank.
White vinegar and baking soda in equal parts is a cost-efficient and effective means of getting rid 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.
The important thing is to reach for a non toxic dish soap that, once it's flushed and enters the water supply, will be safe for animals and the planet. And of course, you also want one that doesn't irritate your eyes, lungs, or skin in the process, as well.
If there are brown stains, it is probably from iron in your water. If you discover a thick, slimy mess, it is likely from iron bacteria growing in your toilet tank. Iron bacteria is a bacteria that fixes to iron particles in the water.
Benefits of Using Downy in Toilet Tank
Eliminates unpleasant odors: One of the main benefits of putting Downy in the toilet tank is its ability to eliminate unwanted odors. The fabric softener's fragrance is released with every flush, leaving a refreshing scent in the air.
Allow your soap bar to dry. Bacteria grow better in moist areas, so consider storing your bar in a soap saver that allows it to dry completely in between washes. If you share a shower with a family member or a roommate, we also recommend taking your bar soaps out of the shower to keep them drier.
It's pretty simple — just like they do on food particles that are stuck to your dishes in the sink, the combination of hot water and dish soap help to dissolve and break up whatever it may be that is lodged in the toilet, causing a clog. This handy tip is great should you find yourself in a pinch.
Baking soda and vinegar
Add one cup of baking soda to the clogged toilet or slow drain, then wait a few minutes. Follow with two cups of vinegar.
Baking soda is an extremely versatile, everyday ingredient
If you place a cup of baking soda on a shelf or on top of the flush tank, you will slowly notice how it neutralises the bathroom smell. This lasts for a month, post which you will have to refill it.
Cleaning with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar in the bathroom can work really well. To clean your toilet with vinegar, pour a cup of vinegar in the toilet bowl and let sit overnight. The next morning, sprinkle a little baking soda into the bowl, scrub, and then flush clean.
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.