There's nothing better than learning a good cleaning hack that's as easy as it is effective.
Most of us grew up doing chores around the house, like washing dishes, taking out the trash and vacuumingway too often. Cleaning as kids was always the worst—we’d have rather spent time outside or hanging out with our friends. But, as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate having a house that’s clean and tidy.
Now that it’s my responsibility to clean my own home, though, I look for any way to make it easier. The latest hack we’ve discovered is using a dishwasher tablet to clean your toilet. It’s the best information I’ve learned all month!
How to Use a Dishwasher Tablet to Clean Your Toilet
We’ve come across a couple different ways to make this hack work. Some people recommend taking a regular dishwasher tablet and letting it dissolve in the toilet bowl. Then you’ll go back in with your toilet bowl scrubber and work it into all the nooks and crannies that we normally can’t reach.
If you’ve got some stubborn hard water stains (like orange rings around your toilet bowl from where the water sits), there’s another way to make the dishwasher tablet work to your advantage. Grab a pair of gloves…’cause we’re diving into the bowl. Get a corner of the tablet wet and start to scrub the hard water line as if you were using a scrub or sponge. In no time, you should see your hard water line begin to disappear!
Find more cleaning hacks you’ll wish you knew sooner.
Why Does This Work?
Dishwasher tablets are meant to dissolve hard water stains, so they’re the perfect solution for cleaning toilets.
Besides cleaning dishes and toilet bowls, you can use dishwasher tablets for a few more cleaning projects around the house. Much like how you scrubbed the water lines out of your toilet bowl, you can use the tablets to scrub your shower. They work to get rid of layers of soap scum and give your shower a brand-new look!
You can also use dishwasher tablets in your oven to get rid of tough grease and grime. Who knew dishwasher tablets were the perfect all-in-one cleaning buddy?
FAQs
Can you use dishwasher tablets to clean your toilet? ›
Dishwasher tablets are meant to dissolve hard water stains, so they're the perfect solution for cleaning toilets. Besides cleaning dishes and toilet bowls, you can use dishwasher tablets for a few more cleaning projects around the house.
What can I put in my toilet tank to keep the bowl clean? ›What I recommend, that works well is distilled white vinegar. As far as your toilet to keep it clean inside the bowl. Use 1 cup of white distilled vinegar and poor inside your toilet tank, also pour half of that cup in to the overflow, which is the small, round pipe that stands up in the middle of the tank .
What is the most effective way to clean a toilet? ›- Begin by applying toilet cleaner to the bowl, and allow it to soak. ...
- While the cleaner soaks in, spray the exterior of the toilet with an all-purpose disinfectant. ...
- Next, use a scrub sponge to clean the exterior of the toilet. ...
- Once the exterior is clean, use a toilet brush to clean the bowl.
It's pretty simple — just like they do on food particles that are stuck to your dishes in the sink, the combination of hot water and dish soap help to dissolve and break up whatever it may be that is lodged in the toilet, causing a clog. This handy tip is great should you find yourself in a pinch.
Will Dawn dish soap clean my toilet bowl? ›Use Dawn Dish Soap in toilets that need unclogging.
Pour a cup of Dawn dish soap into the toilet bowl. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes. From waist high, pour a bucket of hot water into the bowl. Dish soap in toilet = easy and cheap unclogging!
For example, applying white vinegar or lemon juice and scrubbing with a toilet brush typically works on newer stains. You can also try mixing white vinegar and baking soda if you need a stronger scrub. For older stains, using an industrial-strength cleaner like CLR should do the trick.
What do plumbers recommend to clean toilet tanks? ›Cleaning your toilet tank is a very quick and easy procedure. We recommend using a mixture of ¼ cup of vinegar for every 1 cup of water. This ensures your toilet tank is being disinfected without causing damage, which the use of bleach or chemical cleaners can do.
What does putting baking soda in your toilet tank do? ›Baking soda and vinegar, when mixed together, can form a chemical reaction that looks sort of like an eruption. This chemical reaction can help clear your toilet and any pipe clogs that you might have.
Can you put Tide Pods in the toilet tank? ›Well we're here to speak the facts. According to the Dropps Head of Research & Development this hack is very much a myth. Dropps laundry detergent pods was designed to dissolve in washing machines and release ingredients that will gently remove soil and stains.
How do experts clean toilets better? ›- Assemble your tools.
- Choose cleaning products that disinfect.
- Properly ventilate the bathroom.
- Start with a wipe-down.
- Decrease the water level in the bowl.
- Scrub the bowl.
- Be patient.
- Disinfect the toilet's exterior.
Do you wash with soap after pooping? ›
Should you wash your anus with soap? No, you should not wash your anus with soap. Instead, use a hand-held bidet to spray the anal area with warm water. Follow this by dabbing the area dry with a soft cloth.
Why is blue Dawn different? ›What makes Blue Dawn so special? Expert cleaners at Classic Cleaners confirm that original blue dawn can be used for many things, not just the dishes, because of it's grease dissolving properties. It's also non-toxic, not harmful to your skin, it's biodegradable and it contains no phosphates.
What is the best homemade toilet bowl cleaner? ›Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the toilet bowl, let stand a few minutes, brush, and flush. If you have hard water, let the vinegar sit for an hour, and you may have to do some light scrubbing. To remove stains, add 1/2 cup borax to the water, swish it around, and let it soak overnight.
Is it OK to put a bar of soap in your toilet tank? ›What a Professional Plumber Thinks of This Toilet-Cleaning Hack. According to Abrams, an ordinary bar of soap placed inside a mask, a net, or any other porous material should be a perfectly safe way to keep a toilet bowl clean when you flush it.
How much Dawn do I put in a toilet bowl? ›UNCLOGGING TOILETS
Pour a cup of Dawn liquid dish detergent into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, pour a bucket of hot water from waist height into the toilet bowl to clear it out.
Water with too much iron and manganese can cause brown toilet bowl stains. Cleaning these brown stains is a difficult and time-consuming process. Water softeners prevent brown stains through a process called ion exchange. A water test can help you find your ideal water softener.
What is the black stuff under the toilet rim? ›What Creates Black Rings Inside a Toilet Bowl? Hard Water Deposits: Anytime a surface that comes in contact with your home's water supply on a regular basis such as faucets, shower heads, and toilet bowls, it becomes susceptible to an accumulation of residue.
Does WD 40 remove toilet bowl stains? ›When cleaning a toilet bowl, WD-40 works by softening the rust and lime deposits, so they can be easily wiped away. You don't need to use much of it. Simply spray on the affected area, wait a minute or two and brush it away with a regular toilet brush.
Can I put Pine-Sol in my toilet tank? ›Steps For An Expert Clean
Wipe down the toilet tank, lid, seat cover and outside of the bowl, reapplying more cleaner as needed. Rinse each surface with water. Splash Pine-Sol® into the toilet bowl and hit every crevice with your trusty toilet brush. Let it sit for a few minutes and flush.
Although it's a chemical, it biodegrades into completely natural elements: water and oxygen. Don't let its natural components fool you—hydrogen peroxide is powerful and will thoroughly disinfect your toilet, eliminate any foul odours, and make it shine like new. No bleach needed!
What is the red slime in my toilet tank? ›
If you've noticed a pink or red slimy substance forming in your toilet bowl, you're not alone. It is bacteria known as Serratia marcescens, according to Roxanne Johnson, North Dakota State University Extension Service water quality associate.
Can you leave baking soda and vinegar in toilet overnight? ›For extra-stubborn clogs, you can let the fizz mixture sit overnight or combine this method with plunging. If your toilet remains clogged or continues to get clogged, this may be an indication of plumbing problems such as mineral buildup or pressure issues.
What happens when you pour white vinegar in your toilet tank? ›Vinegar is a great toilet cleaning solution. Not only is it free of chemicals and naturally antibacterial, it's also an acid, so it will remove minor lime and calcium deposits. All you need to do is pour a couple cups of vinegar in your tank and let it sit for an hour or so, then scrub and flush to rinse.
Why does my toilet stink even after cleaning? ›If the smell lingers despite proper cleaning and disinfection, there may be a problem with the vent. Check the part where the toilet vent pipe lets go of the sewer gases. If there's any debris, the gases could be causing the disgusting smell.
Why put a dishwasher tablet in the shower? ›Your dishwasher tablets are tough on soap scum, too.
To help you out, we've covered plenty of cleaning hacks in the past, like how to clean a shower head with a Ziploc bag. Today comes another inexpensive bathroom cleaning trick: dishwasher tablets can help remove soap scum.
Chemical cleaners that can be used include Lime-A-Way, The Works Toilet Bowl Cleaner and Oxyclean.
Which detergent is used to clean toilet? ›The standard toilet cleaner is chlorine bleach or a commercial disinfectant containing bleach liquid. These are often scented to help freshen up the air in the bathroom, but the disinfectant itself should effectively eradicate all toilet odours.
How many times should a toilet bowl be cleaned? ›You probably want to clean your toilet once or twice a week because the it's one of the most germ-ridden areas of the home. In fact, the waste in your toilet mixes with the flushing water and sends plumes of microbes into the air. These can land on toilet seats, lids and other surfaces.
How many times should a toilet be cleaned? ›Once a week at least.
coli can be found within six feet of the toilet and in the sink. To keep it at bay, disinfect the toilet and sink at least once weekly, and the bathtub every two weeks — more if you shower often.
The most commonly recommended natural and non-toxic way to clean a toilet is with vinegar and baking soda. Simply poor two cups of vinegar into a toilet bowl, and pour one cup of baking soda. When the solution stops fizzing, spread it over the bowl with a toilet cleaner brush. Leave for 10-15 minutes and rinse.
What happens when you put garlic under your pillow at night? ›
A fresh clove of garlic placed beneath a pillow is believed to bestow a calming effect on the nervous system, thanks to the sulphurous compounds which are released from the garlic. Of course, the garlicky scent may take some getting used to, but it's surely worth it for a good night's sleep!
What happens when you put garlic under your bed? ›However the scientific explanation to this is linked to the presence of Sulfur in garlic, which leads to the strong smell and it is believed that this strong smell helps in inducing sleep and leaves a calming effect. Apart from this, keeping a bud of clove under the pillow is believed to improve the quality of sleep.
Why should you wash your hands after peeing? ›Why you should wash your hands after peeing. Here's the thing: Many types of illness-causing bacteria can contaminate public and private bathrooms, says Newman. This includes E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus, just to name a few microbes.
Why should men wash their hands after peeing? ›Urine is generally sterile, but bacteria from feces may spread and contaminate surfaces you're unwashed hands touched.
Should you wash hands before or after peeing? ›All that said, you should always wash your hands with soap and water after peeing, says Newman. It's the best way to reduce the risk of getting sick or spreading germs to others.
Why does my toilet bowl stain so easily? ›These stains are caused by a buildup of minerals from hard water [source: family handyman]. Many homes have hard water, which can cause damage to your toilet or sink and leave stubborn stains that are very difficult to remove.
What can I put in the toilet tank to keep mold out? ›Let the toilet sit with the lid closed for a few hours before using it again. Add 1 cup of vinegar to the toilet tank a few times a week to help prevent the mold from coming back.
Is it OK to put Clorox in toilet tank? ›Preparing to Clean the Toilet Tank
"The biggest don't when it comes to toilet tanks is bleach—do not use bleach or products containing bleach inside the tank, as it can corrode the internal parts of your toilet. If you are aiming to remove tough stains from the tank, I also recommend white vinegar diluted with water."
To clean your toilet with vinegar, pour a cup of vinegar in the toilet bowl and let sit overnight. The next morning, sprinkle a little baking soda into the bowl, scrub, and then flush clean.
What is the black gunk under my toilet rim? ›Because water deposits build-up under a toilet's rim, it can take only 24-48 hours for colonies to start breeding. As it grows, you will see what looks like black debris or rings inside the bowl. This can cause respiratory problems for people as the mold and mildew release tiny spores into the air.
What does putting vinegar in your toilet tank do? ›
Vinegar is a great toilet cleaning solution. Not only is it free of chemicals and naturally antibacterial, it's also an acid, so it will remove minor lime and calcium deposits. All you need to do is pour a couple cups of vinegar in your tank and let it sit for an hour or so, then scrub and flush to rinse.
Should you clean the inside of your toilet tank? ›You should clean the toilet tank twice per year. If you are using water from a well in an area with hard water, clean the tank quarterly to keep the flush valves in good working order. If your bathroom is in a warmer environment that gets muggy or humid and gets mold often, clean the tank once a month.
Why does my toilet bowl get moldy so fast? ›Stagnant water is a great environment for mold. Toilets that are used infrequently and not flushed often are more likely to develop a mold problem than those that are flushed many times a day. If your toilet tank has mold growth, then it is passing those mold spores into your toilet bowl.
Can I put hydrogen peroxide in toilet tank? ›Although it's a chemical, it biodegrades into completely natural elements: water and oxygen. Don't let its natural components fool you—hydrogen peroxide is powerful and will thoroughly disinfect your toilet, eliminate any foul odours, and make it shine like new. No bleach needed!
Can I put Lysol in my toilet tank? ›The easiest way to thoroughly clean the toilet tank is to spray it down with a disinfectant cleaning spray such as Lysol or 409. Using a disinfectant spray will loosen much of the build-up, and kill most of the bacteria and germs. Let the solution work for about 15 minutes before you start cleaning.