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This simple pantry staple makes bathroom cleaning surprisingly easy.
If you've been using the typical chemical cleaners to clean your toilet bowl, we've got a surprising new solution to introduce you to: baking soda. Turns out its powerful effects can be used in the bathroom on your toilet bowl. Wondering how you can use this simple cleaner as an easy bathroom agent? Here's a step-by-step guide for how to clean your toilet bowl with baking soda.
Why Use Baking Soda To Clean Your Toilet?
If you go into any Southern household, somewhere in the back of their fridge you'll likely find an opened box of baking soda sitting on one of the shelves. This trick has been used time and time again as a odor eater in fridges, but it actually has some purpose for cleaning in the bathroom.
Using baking soda to clean your toilet can be a very helpful tool when the store-bought cleaners just aren't cutting it or you're looking to switch to something more natural. It's totally safe to use for your septic system, and the abrasive (yet gentle) powder is ideal for penetrating the porcelain to clean and lift out stains. Not to mention it's budget-friendly!
What You'll Need
Cleaning your toilet bowl with baking soda isn't only easy, it's minimal! Here are the few tools and materials you'll need for this bathroom cleaning trick:
- 1 cup baking soda
- Toilet Brush
That's it! Although, there are a few optional things you can use to tackle tougher stains or lift the scent. White distilled vinegar is a powerful tool to bring in if you notice hard water stains or a dingy bowl that isn't lessening after cleaning. You can also add in a few drops of your favorite essential oil scent at the end of the process to make the room smell even better.
Tip
While distilled vinegar isn't necessary needed to begin with, consider having it on hand and ready to use if you notice tough stains that persist after regular cleaning.
How To Clean Your Toilet Bowl With Baking Soda In 4 Steps
Wet The Bowl
The first thing you need to do is wet the toilet bowl. Just flush the toilet so water coats the sides, which will make the surface easier for the baking soda to stick to.
Sprinkle In Your Baking Soda
Next you'll sprinkle in your baking soda. Try to sprinkle it onto the sides of the bowl instead of in the center where the water is. If there are areas of the bowl that have more stains, add a touch more of baking soda to them to try and lift them out.
After you've sprinkled the baking soda all over the bowl, let it sit for 10-15 minutes if you're just doing a basic cleaning. If you're trying to get rid of stubborn stains, increase the sitting time to 30 minutes.
Tip
If you need to add vinegar for tough stains, pour it in after sprinkling your baking soda. You only need to add about 1/2 cup to 1 cup.
Scrub
After you've let the solution sit for the recommended amount of time, take your toilet brush and begin scrubbing like you would for regular cleaning.
Flush To Rinse
Lastly, flush the toilet once again to rinse away the baking soda and optional vinegar. If stains are still present or your bowl isn't as shiny as you'd like, repeat the process.
How Often Should You Clean Your Toilet Bowl With Baking Soda?
Cleaning your toilet bowl should be an every week thing to keep the area sanitized. How often you decide to use baking soda is dependent on your preference. You can use baking soda as your weekly cleaner if you prefer this natural ingredient over the store bought chemical cleaners, or you can bring it out whenever you start to notice stains. It's fine to use on a routine basis or for special occasions where it's stain-lifting qualities are most needed.
Mistakes To Avoid
Even though this process seems simple enough, there are a few mistakes you can make if you're not careful. They include:
- Using baking soda with bleach.
- Pouring too much baking soda.
- Scrubbing with an abrasive brush.
- Not addressing stains as soon as they appear.
- Not cleaning your toilet routinely.
These mistakes all come with their own consequences. For instance, mixing baking soda with bleach can create toxic fumes, and using too much baking soda and leave behind a gritty texture. Stains may also become insanely hard to remove if you let them sit for too long, and the same applies for going too long in between standard cleaning times.
Other Ways You Can Use Baking Soda In Your Bathroom
Baking soda's cleaning capabilities aren't limited to your toilet bowl. Here are a few other ways you can use baking soda in your bathroom as a natural cleaning agent.
- Freshening your trash cans.
- Cleaning shower grout.
- Deodorizing your sink and faucet.
- As a DIY air freshener.
- Cleaning your mirrors.
Read the original article on Southern Living
