How to clean your toilet the right way
We often put off cleaning the toilet. After all, it’s not the most enjoyable household task. But there are good reasons to clean it regularly—the most important being the bacteria that accumulate in and around the toilet bowl.
Why regular toilet cleaning matters
Start by getting a pair of rubber gloves that you use exclusively for toilet cleaning. For hygiene reasons, gloves are always a smart choice when cleaning—and they’re also kind to your skin. Even gentle cleaning products can irritate your hands over time.
Step-by-step toilet cleaning
1. Gather your supplies
Make sure you have a sturdy toilet brush for effective scrubbing. It’s also helpful to have a smaller brush—an old toothbrush works well—for tight corners and around the base of the toilet.
You’ll need two types of cleaning products:
One for the inside of the toilet
One for the outer surfaces
Choose eco-friendly and skin-safe products where possible.
You’ll also need a cloth or towel specifically for toilet cleaning. Some recommend using toilet paper or wet wipes for hygiene reasons, but these are less environmentally friendly. Instead, use a cloth or towel reserved for this task.
2. Clean the inside of the toilet
Spray or pour the cleaner inside the bowl. Scrub thoroughly, starting from the top and working downward—this ensures you don’t have to go over the same areas twice. Use pressure to remove stains and buildup.
3. Prepare surface cleaner
Fill the sink with warm water and add a small amount of surface cleaner—usually, a small dose is enough, as most products are concentrated.
4. Clean hard-to-reach areas
Use your smaller brush (such as a toothbrush) to clean around the base of the toilet and other tight spots. Dip it in the water with surface cleaner, scrub thoroughly, and wipe away excess moisture with your cloth.
5. Clean the outside
Use your cloth or towel to scrub the outside of the toilet from top to bottom. This allows any loosened dirt and bacteria to drip downward as you clean.
6. Let the cleaner sit
Once the outer surface is clean, spray toilet bowl cleaner inside the bowl again and let it sit for one to two hours for a deeper effect.
For a more thorough clean
The routine above is sufficient for regular weekly cleaning. But every now and then, you may want to do a deeper clean. For this, you’ll need some additional items: a heavy-duty sponge and a disinfectant cleaner.
Start with the outside:
Warm (but not boiling) water is enough. Pour it carefully over the outer surfaces of the toilet—it’s okay if some spills onto the bathroom floor. Use the sponge to scrub thoroughly. It doesn’t need to be spotless yet—just remove visible grime.
Then the inside:
Pour warm water directly into the bowl and scrub the inside. If there are stubborn stains, pour more warm water over those areas. Then apply your toilet cleaner and scrub again, even if it looks clean—especially around the rim, which is easy to overlook.
Flush and continue scrubbing while the water drains.
Disinfect outer surfaces:
Spray disinfectant over the entire outer toilet surface and use a towel or cleaning cloth to scrub. Make sure to clean all parts, including the base and under the seat.
Don’t forget the floor:
Check the area around and under the toilet. There’s often excess water here. Wipe it up first, then spray disinfectant and scrub. Cleaning about half a meter around the toilet is usually sufficient.
Alternative cleaning products
While we’ve mentioned commercial cleaning products, there are effective alternatives you likely already have at home.
Vinegar:
A strong natural cleaner, vinegar can be poured inside the toilet and left overnight. It may smell strong in the morning, but rest assured—it works. Be cautious though: vinegar is corrosive and can be harmful if it gets in your eyes.
Baking soda:
An excellent natural cleaner, baking soda (also found in baking powder) can remove tough stains in most areas of your home. When combined with vinegar and hot water, it becomes a powerful toilet cleaner.
Sprinkle baking soda inside the bowl and let it sit for about an hour. Then mix warm water with vinegar and pour it in while scrubbing. You’ll hear a fizzing sound—that’s the chemical reaction working. After scrubbing, flush the toilet. The bowl will be clean and bacteria-free.
Final thoughts
So, how often should you clean your toilet? As a rule of thumb, once a week is a good baseline. Bathrooms and kitchens tend to get dirty faster than other areas of the home.
You don’t need to deep clean with disinfectants every week. A thorough cleaning once a month is usually enough, and you can alternate with the more natural methods we’ve outlined here.
One final tip: Treat cleaning as a mini workout. A focused 40-minute cleaning session can get your heart rate up and muscles working—turning your cleaning routine into a double win.