Ekaterina Demidova / Getty Images

How to Deep Clean a Toilet Bowl

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Max Winters | Last updated Oct 11, 2024 10:00 AM ET

When it comes to tackling discoloration, hard water deposits, and bacterial grime in your toilet bowl, not all cleaning power is created equal. While natural options like baking soda and vinegar are great for a basic cleaning method, they often fall short when dealing with deeply embedded stains and mineral buildup. This is where acidic cleaners come into play. Acidic solutions, such as those containing hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, or citric acid, are designed to break down the tough residues that a basic toilet cleaning product may struggle with.

Using Acidic Cleaners

Acidic cleaners are highly effective commercial products that target the mineral deposits and bacterial biofilms that accumulate in your toilet bowl over time. Unlike baking soda and white vinegar, which work through mild chemical reactions, more powerful toilet cleaners react aggressively with the calcium and magnesium, dissolving them quickly and efficiently. This makes acidic cleaners particularly valuable in areas where high levels of minerals in your water supply cause hard water and the resulting limescale buildup. Additionally, acids can penetrate and eliminate tough stains that are resistant to less potent cleaning agents, ensuring a sparkling clean toilet bowl.

Safety Tips

Before using acidic cleaners, it's essential to take precautions to ensure your safety and prevent damage to your toilet or plumbing.

Wear protective gear: Always wear rubber gloves and eye protection when handling acidic cleaners as these harsh chemicals can irritate skin.
Ventilation is key: Ensure the bathroom is well-ventilated by opening windows or turning on an exhaust fan to avoid inhaling fumes.
Read the label: Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully, as using too much acid or leaving it on surfaces for too long can damage a porcelain surface.
Test a small area first: If you're using an acidic cleaner for the first time, test it on a small, inconspicuous area like on stubborn stains under the bowl rim to ensure it doesn't damage the porcelain.
Keep out of reach of children and pets: Store acidic cleaners in a secure place to prevent accidental exposure.

Using Acidic Cleaners to Deep Clean a Toilet Bowl

Gather Supplies: You'll need an acidic toilet bowl cleaner, pair of gloves, eye protection, a toilet brush, and a bucket of clean water.
Flush the Toilet: Start by flushing the toilet to wet the bowl and reduce the amount of water in it, exposing more surface area for cleaning. If your toilet bowl has a high water level, you may want to reduce it, or turn off the water inflow to your toilet during this cleaning process.
Apply the Acidic Cleaner: Pour the cleaner directly into the toilet bowl, focusing on areas with visible stains or buildup. Make sure to apply it on the entire surface, including under the bowl rim where bacteria and grime often hide.
Let It Sit: Allow the cleaner to sit for at least 10-15 minutes. This gives the acid time to break down the mineral deposits and stains effectively.
Scrub the Bowl: After the cleaner has had time to work, use a toilet brush to scrub the entire bowl, paying extra attention to heavily stained areas. These water stains will be concentrated up to the high water level but you also need to clean under the toilet rim and around water jets.
Flush Again: Once you've applied a bit of elbow grease, flush the toilet to rinse away the cleaner and any loosened grime.
Rinse and Repeat (if necessary): For heavier mineral buildup or rust stains, you may need to repeat the process.
Be Thorough: Use a clean towel or disinfecting wipe on and under the toilet lid and check for hard water deposits in the toilet tank as well.
Clean Up: After you're done, rinse the toilet brush in the bucket of hot water with a couple capfuls of bleach. Store the cleaning supplies in a safe spot. Ensure the bathroom is well-ventilated until any lingering fumes dissipate.

Additional Tips for Maintaining a Clean Toilet

For a more eco-friendly approach, you can use citric acid-based cleaners, which if used more frequently, are as effective as stronger chemical cleaners like hydrochloric or phosphoric acid.
Acidic cleaners are not always antibacterial. To manage the spread of germs and mold spores in this moist environment, use a disinfecting spray as part of your regular cleaning.
To prevent future buildup or to stick with a natural cleaning alternative, prioritizing your toilet as part of your basic cleaning routine will help avoid harsh chemicals or extensive cleaning sessions.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: