What are the 7 steps for cleaning toilets?

Author: Prof. Preston Turner  |  Last update: Friday, January 2, 2026

How to clean a toilet – step by step
  • Preparation. Begin by preparing the area ready for cleaning. ...
  • Safety First. ...
  • Flush and Empty the Toilet Bowl. ...
  • Apply Toilet Bowl Cleaner. ...
  • Scrub the Surface. ...
  • Clean the Exterior. ...
  • Tackle Hard Water Stains. ...
  • One Last Rinse.

What is the proper sequence in cleaning the toilet?

Step by step guide to cleaning a toilet
  • Step 1: Apply the toilet cleaner to the bowl. To begin, turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush. ...
  • Step 2: Disinfect the exterior surface. ...
  • Step 3: Clean the exterior of the toilet. ...
  • Step 4: Clean the toilet seat. ...
  • Step 5: Scrub the bowl.

How do I get the brown stains off the bottom of my toilet?

For example, applying white vinegar or lemon juice and scrubbing with a toilet brush typically works on newer stains. You can also try mixing white vinegar and baking soda if you need a stronger scrub. For older stains, using an industrial-strength cleaner like CLR should do the trick.

What is the golden rule for toilet cleaning?

He said: “The golden rule for cleaning toilet bowl stains is to use non-alkaline products. “Most toilet bowl stains appear in hard water areas, so it's important to remember that bleach won't work, and you will need to use an acid-based product such as limescale remover.

How do professionals clean toilets?

When spraying toilets, we spray the toilet paper dispenser, sanitary bin, wall behind the toilet/urinals, and the toilet seat cover dispensers. It's left to sit for 30 seconds, somebody scrubs every toilet/urinal with this toilet brush, and then it's wiped it all dry with a microfiber rag.

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What is the most sanitary way to clean a toilet?

Scrub the entire surface with your toilet brush, paying special attention to any stains or buildup. Make sure to clean underneath the rim, which is a hot spot for bacteria and mineral deposits. Flush the toilet to rinse away the cleaner and any loosened dirt, grime, and mineral deposits.

Can you put pine sol in a toilet bowl?

Knock out the dirtiest job first. Get at toilet bowl germs and grime with Original Pine-Sol® to disinfect while you clean the rest of the bathroom. Dirt, mildew, and soap scum like to linger behind after the suds rinse down the drain. Use Pine-Sol® on shower tiles, walls, fixtures, and even plastic shower curtains.

Should you flush the toilet after every pee?

People should still flush their toilets at least once a day. "Things like to grow in urine and after a while the chlorine will inactivate in the toilet bowl water. It will being to bubble away and things will begin to grow. The odor will increase so it can get disgusting, smell bad and stain your toilet," he said.

Is it better to clean a toilet with bleach or vinegar?

Avoid using cleaner tabs—they often contain bleach, which is a no-no for cleaning toilet tanks because of bleach's corrosive properties. Add a cup of white distilled vinegar to the tank once a month. Leave it to sit overnight and then flush it in the morning.

How to get brown limescale off the toilet?

White vinegar

All you need to do is pour a generous amount of white vinegar down your toilet bowl, let it soak in overnight, then scrub with a brush. Then flush to rinse, and voilà, your toilet is back to its former whiteness!

How do you clean a badly stained toilet?

Pour white vinegar into the bowl to cover the stained areas. Let the vinegar soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Scrub the stained areas with a toilet brush. If the stains persist, sprinkle baking soda on the remaining stains and let it sit for up to 10 minutes, then scrub again with the toilet brush.

Can you put a dishwasher tablet in the toilet?

Who knew that dishwasher tablets could help keep your toilet sparkling clean? Just drop a dishwasher tablet in toilet bowl and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then, use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl and flush it. The tablet will help to break down any stains or buildup in the bowl, leaving it fresh and clean.

How do I get rid of brown sediment in my toilet?

The Solution

One easy way to handle iron and manganese is to soak the tank, bowl, and toilet components overnight with white vinegar to break down the mineral buildup.

What should I clean first in the bathroom?

What do you clean first in a bathroom? It's recommended to start by dusting and decluttering. Then, clean mirrors and surfaces before moving on to fixtures, countertops, and finally, tackle the toilet, shower, and bathtub. Finish with floor cleaning and disinfecting.

Does CLR remove brown toilet stains?

Over time your toilet water can cause an unsightly rainbow of stains and mineral build up in your toilet bowl. CLR Calcium, Lime & Rust Remover helps you flush the filth away. Before you get started, always use gloves and check if CLR is suitable to be applied on the material you are trying to clean.

How to deep clean a toilet?

Try this: Swish a cup of vinegar around in the toilet bowl using a toilet brush, then add a cup of baking soda, followed by an additional cup of vinegar. Let the fizzing solution sit for 10 minutes. Use a toilet brush to scrub stains. Let mixture sit for a few more minutes and then flush.

What do plumbers recommend to clean toilets?

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda is also a mild abrasive, so it will remove stains and grime from your toilet bowl. To clean your toilet, use one cup of baking soda with two cups of white vinegar. Brush it into the bowl, let it sit for five minutes, then flush again with the water on full force.

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.

What not to use on porcelain toilet?

Choose cleaning products that are designed specifically for cleaning toilets. Avoid using abrasive cleaners, bleach, or other harsh chemicals that can damage your toilet's surface.

Should you let pee sit in the toilet?

Urine and hard water deposits leave hardened mineral deposits around your toilet bowl over time. These deposits form faster when you let pee sit around. In some cases, rings left for too long can be nearly impossible to remove without harsh cleansers that can be worse for the environment than those extra flushes.

Should you flush the toilet after pooping?

“Essentially, yes – especially when you've had a poo,” Russell says, “because the flush can spray very fine particles and toilet water all over your bathroom.” A 2022 global review found that contaminated aerosol particles can travel as far as 1.5 metres away when the toilet is flushed and linger for up to six hours; ...

Can you use Windex in toilet bowl?

Toilet bowls

Spray a little Windex into your toilet bowl, let it sit for 5 minutes, and brush scrub as you would with any other toilet bowl cleaner. This solution does a great job at removing even the toughest stains.

What can I put in my toilet to get rid of ring?

Consider using Bon Ami, Bar Keepers Friend, or The Pink Stuff, which are commercial cleaners that work well to remove toilet bowl rings.

How often should I clean my shower?

Clean: Once a week

While deep cleaning your shower should be done at least once a week, giving it attention after every use goes a long way.

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