Cleaning a Toilet the Right Way

You already know that it's important to clean the toilets in your home, but did you know that there is a certain way to clean a toilet. In terms of sanitization and to protect the toilet, it's important you know how to go about the cleaning process. Here are some tips to get you started.

Not Cleaning Has Consequences

If you don't clean your toilet regularly, a foul-smelling odor and rampant bacteria are only the beginning of your concerns. When you don't clean a toilet, debris can build up inside the tank, particularly if you have hard water. Hard water has an excess of minerals that can be especially harsh.

The longer you go between cleanings, the minerals begin to accumulate and can start to cause corrosion around the metal parts of the toilet unit. In instances of extreme corrosion, small holes can form and allow water from the toilet to leak, including wastewater. In addition to regular cleaning, if you have hard water, you should consider installing a whole-home water softener to help eliminate some of the mineral buildups. 

Learn How to Attack Mold

People don't always associate mold with a toilet, but a toilet is a common place for mold growth, especially if the toilet isn't used often. Water that rests inside a bowl for an extended period will start to develop mold spores. Just like with mold in any other place, the longer the water rests, the more spores that will form.

Mold spores are unsightly and smell bad, but they are also airborne. Airborne mold spores can latch onto moisture in other parts of your bathroom and before you know it, you will have a serious mold issue on your hands. Make it a point to clean the toilet in every bathroom, even if you don't use it often. 

Don't Ignore the Tank

While you might focus most of your attention on the bowl, make sure you don't forget to also clean the tank. People often think about the fact that wastewater does not rest inside the tank and think there is also no reason to clean it. However, minerals and mold can also settle inside the tank.

In terms of cleaning, you don't want to use the same solution to clean the bowl that you use to clean the tank. Many toilet cleaners have bleach in them; bleach can eat away at any rubber or plastic fixtures inside the tank and lead to damage. 

Always follow these tips to keep your toilets clean and in good shape. For more practical ways to take care of the toilets in your home, speak with a local plumbing service.