Cleaning your toilet ensures that the place looks clean and is germ free. One of the questions most people have when it comes to toilet cleaning is how to use the products correctly. You might have all the necessary toilet cleaning products but no idea how to use them. If you use toilet bowl cleaner, then chances are you are conflicted on whether you can leave it in overnight.
The answer to this is yes. You can leave toilet bowl cleaner overnight. The longer the cleaner stays before rinsing out, the higher the chance all the dirt will be cleaned. Here are some helpful tips that often come in handy when cleaning your toilet.
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Get the right material and equipment.
Before cleaning, you must ensure you have all the right equipment and materials for the task. Without these, your work will be difficult, if not impossible. Having a checklist will make toilet cleaning go by faster and easier, and you also get to ensure you get to all the right places. Here is a list of what you need to get when cleaning your toilet.
Cleaning products
One of the things you need to ensure you do when cleaning your toilet is to use the right product. While some people use bleach and an abrasive, others prefer toilet cleaner. There is no right or wrong way with these product choices. The only thing you need to remember is never to mix bleach with toilet cleaner. These two react and create poisonous gases that can harm you as you clean. If you decide to use both these products, do not use them for so long and ensure your doors and windows stay open.
A good toilet brush
The kind of toilet brush you have will determine how clean your toilet gets. Just like your toothbrush, your toilet brush needs to be replaced regularly. To ensure you get the best out of your brush, replace after every six months. You can also check the bristles to see if they are bent or missing. A quality brush will not only get under the lip of the bowl, but it will also ensure that no germs are being transferred when cleaning your toilet. Always clean your toilet brush after use and add a few drops of bleach to the holder before storage. That way, the brush stays clean in between use.
Cleaning bucket
You will need a bucket to clean your toilet as well. To ensure that there is no transfer of germs, it helps if you get a bucket specifically for cleaning your toilet. The bucket will hold the disinfectant and allow you to dilute it, so it does not damage surfaces. There are no rules to how big this bucket should be, so whatever you choose will work for you.
Disinfectant
Washing the toilet bowl and forgetting the rest of the toilet is a waste of your time. The germs for other surfaces will also get to the toilet bowl. To help clean your toilet, ensure you have a disinfectant for the floors. There are various brands in the market, and you must ensure that you get one that works for you. Ensure you also get soap alongside the disinfectant, which will help remove stubborn dirt and grime. Some brands have soap infused with disinfectant, which makes cleaning even easier.
Reusable rug or disinfectant wipes
To help you clean the surfaces, ensure you get a disinfecting or reusable wipe. These come in different sizes, and all you need to do is figure out the absorption of the cloth you use. Ensure you clean it out after use and air dry it so it does not get moldy or breed more germs.
Rubber Gloves
Since you will be working with harsh chemicals, you must protect your hands. Get quality reusable gloves that will help you stay safe when cleaning. If you do not want gloves, clean your hands after washing the toilet. Ensure you moisturize your hands as well since these chemicals tend to dry up one’s hands.
How to clean your toilet?
Now that you have all the right cleaning materials. Here are the basic steps of cleaning the toilet. These are very simple, and you can add and remove them based on your preference.
Treat any stains
Your toilet might be stained if it had not been cleaned for a while. Stains can also occur if the water used to flush the toilet is hard water. For this reason, it will help if you can treat the stains first before you go on with the rest of the cleaning. There are various stain removal agents in the market, so research which one will work for you. All these stain removal agents work differently, so bear that in mind. Once you have removed the stains, you can clean your toilet.
Put in your toilet cleaner.
Once your toilet bowl is stained-free, you will go in with your toilet cleaner. Most toilet cleaners must be left undisturbed for about 15 minutes before you flush the toilet. If you want to leave it overnight, you can go ahead and do so. The toilet cleaner scent will last longer in the bathroom when left overnight, so bear this in mind.
Clean the outside surfaces of the toilet
As you let the cleaner do the work in the bowl, take this time to clean the outside surfaces of the toilet. Start from the toilet’s base as you head up to the seat. Use your microfiber cloth to wipe down the whole toilet. Dip the cloth in disinfectant and soapy water, and clean sections at a time. Once done, you can then rinse the entire outside with water.
Ensure you clean the cistern tank since dust and germs accumulate here. As you do so, ensure you take the time to clean the handle or the button since most people touch it when flushing the toilet. Ensure you use disinfectant, especially when you clean the handle, so no germs are left behind.
Scrub the bowl
Once you are done with the outside of your toilet, the cleaner will have had time to work on the toilet bowl. Take your toilet brush and scrub the bow through. Ensure you clean the rim as much as possible since that is where dirt and germs hide. Once this is done, flush your toilet.
Disinfect your brush and holder
Once you are done cleaning your toilet, ensure you clean and disinfect your brush and its holder. To do this, pour some bleach down the toilet and let your brush soak in it for a few minutes before flushing it. Wash out the holder and add a couple of drops of bleach to it as well. That way, both your brush a holder will be clean and free from germs until the next use.
With these simple steps, your toilet will be clean and ready for use.
Common questions asked about toilets.
While you might be cleaning your toilet regularly, there are times when you might feel like there is more you a do. Here are some of the questions most people have regarding issues arising from toilet cleaning.
Why does the toilet bowl get dirty even after cleaning?
Limescale buildup is one of the main reasons why your toilet bowl might keep staining or get dirty. It comes from chlorine in the water or mineral buildup. There are also times when a dirty brush causes it. The solution to this is figuring out the issue and addressing it.
How does one treat toilet bowl stains?
Another thing you will notice when it comes to your toilet bowl is there are times when it gets stains. In such a scenario, you need to come up with a way to clear the stains. Home remedies recommend using baking soda to get rid of the stains, but this will only work if it is caused by limescale. The best option would be to use a toilet cleaner that helps get rid of stains.
Get quality toilet cleaner.
No matter how much cleaning you do, your toilet will only be as good as the products you use on it. One of the things you need to ensure is you invest in quality toilet cleaner. Take the time and look at the reviews left by people. You can also look at the ingredients used in the toilet cleaner. All these go a long way to help you figure out if the cleaner you are using is the best quality. There are many different options in the market, so ensure you do your research well. Once you get a quality toilet cleaner, you no longer have to worry about stains.
If you were wondering if you can leave toilet bowl cleaner overnight, the answer is yes. All you have to do is ensure everyone is done using the toilet for the day. That way, the cleaner has enough time to work on any stubborn stains, and you get to wake up to a toilet that looks good as new. Take the time to clean your toilet today and see the difference it makes to the overall outlook of your home.