Tackling one area at a time, spray the cleaner on the tank, outside of the bowl and the sides, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Wipe each area thoroughly with a sponge or cloth, then rinse well before moving on to the next area, Forté says. Don't forget to clean the small area between the toilet seat and the tank.
Essentially, you're going to do 3 circles (waves sounds sexier and less kindergarden-y) around your bathroom to cover off all the areas. The three waves are exactly the same: tidying, cleaning, and floors. That way, you tidy and deal with garbage and laundry first, scrub and clean second, and clean floors last.
Following a systematic order for cleaning your house can make the task more manageable and ensure a thorough job. By starting with decluttering and moving through dusting, disinfecting, vacuuming, mopping, and specific room cleaning, you create a clean and organized living space.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tips for Maintaining Your Toilet Tank
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.
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.
Baking soda, borax and tea tree oil combine to make a heavy-duty toilet bowl cleaner. Baking soda, borax and tea tree oil combine to make a heavy-duty toilet bowl cleaner.
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.
Finally, the last step in the 7 step cleaning process is to perform a final walk-through to ensure that everything is in order. Check all surfaces for cleanliness, make sure all tools and products are properly stored, and ensure that every detail has been attended to.
Bathroom Cleaning Supplies
Toilet brush and bowl cleaner. Spray bottle with tub and tile cleaner. Cleaning products. All-purpose cleaning spray.
Starting with the tank or top, wipe down the back, front and sides of the toilet all the way to the floor. Clean the toilet handle with a disinfecting wipe. After wiping down the top of the toilet lid, open the lid and spray the inside, including the hinges, with cleaner.
Using either disinfecting wipes or a combination of disinfecting spray and a rag, paper towels, or a sponge (that you reserve just for this task), wipe down all of the external surfaces of the toilet, paying special attention to any areas you touch regularly such as the seat and the flushing handle.
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.
Start by applying the cleaning product under the rim and inside the bowl. Use a toilet brush with sturdy bristles to scrub the entire bowl thoroughly. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas, such as the rim and the space behind the bowl. Scrub in circular motions for an even clean.
Flush the toilet to wet the surface of the bowl. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and heavily mist the bowl surface. Allow the vinegar to sit for half an hour. Use a toilet brush to scrub away any stubborn stains.