Using Vinegar to..{Clean Your Toilet Bowl}

by | Feb 9, 2021 | How To, Blog

Using Vinegar to..

Our toilet bowls harbor a lot of bacteria and germs that could spread many illnesses. So, it needs frequent cleaning to keep it germ-free, not to mention fresh-smelling. Many cleaning products are effective in keeping your toilet bowls, sinks, and tiles clean. Toilet bowl cleaners and vinegar are two popular choices among them. Read on and learn how to use these products safely for cleaning your bathroom cleaning purposes.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner Vs. Vinegar
Most toilet bowl cleaning products have strong chemical acid content. These products are often used for deep cleaning and sanitizing purposes. While they can effectively clean dirt, stain, and grimes in your toilet, they also leave a powerful and harsh odor.

Sometimes mixing toxic chemicals is necessary for removing stubborn stains. As this is dangerous, you may leave this task to professional cleaners. Always practice extra precaution if you have kids or pets, as storing these products at home poses risks of poison. Also, use these products only as directed on the labels.

These chemical products may also contain ingredients that are not suited for people with allergies or sensitivities. If you are one of them, you can use vinegar as an alternative cleaning agent. Like chemical cleaners, vinegar is also an effective cleaning agent. Many homeowners have turned to vinegar as a cleaning product as it is affordable, non-toxic, and naturally safe and effective to use. 

 

Vinegar As A Cleaning Choice
Using distilled vinegar solutions is an ideal cleaning choice for homes with normal levels of dirt and grimes. It effectively disinfects surfaces and kills disease-causing bacteria like E. Coli, Salmonella, and molds on contact. The acid content of vinegar makes it successful in cleaning grimy surfaces in your bathroom and other parts of your home. If you want to use vinegar as a cleaning solution for toilet bowls, go for white vinegar as it is the most potent of all types. 


To make a solution:

  1. Mix a 1:1 ratio of Water and White Distilled Vinegar and put it in a spray bottle.
  2. Spray on targeted areas of the toilet bowl; include the seat, handles, and lid.
  3. Let the solution sit for ten minutes.
  4. For stubborn stains, you can let it sit overnight. 
  5. Afterward, vigorously scrub the entire bowl.
  6. Flush toilet to remove residues.

You can also use this solution for the toilet bowl’s tank. Doing this will help avoid mineral deposits staining your toilet bowls further. Adding a few drops of essential oil to the spray solution will make your bathroom smell fresher.


When NOT to Use Vinegar Solutions
Vinegar is a powerful and versatile cleaning agent, but it’s not an all-purpose cleaning solution to everything. Before using a Vinegar Solution, it is essential to know what type of stains and, most important, what surfaces the solution would be used on. So, to save you from common cleaning regrets and damages, here are surfaces you should not use vinegar on. 

  1. Hardwood Flooring
    If your bathroom contains waxed wood flooring on some parts, you may want to skip spraying or cleaning this area with vinegar. Diluted vinegar solutions will strip off the wax coating and dissolve the wood’s finishing protection. It will also make the surface look cloudy and scratched.
  2. Stone Countertop
    Avoid vinegar sprays when you have granite, marble, or limestone countertops. Vinegar can etch natural stones and will make the stone countertop lose its natural shine. It will also break down the applied sealers on these surfaces.
  3. Tile Grouts
    Vinegar can wear away grout on tiles. It has more damaging effects on old deteriorating tiles while it can age new tiles faster.
  4. Metal Surfaces
    Acidity in vinegar will eat through protective layers on aluminum surfaces on sinks and doorknobs.

 

It is essential to know how to care for and clean different types of surfaces.
Sometimes, warm water and mild dish soap or detergent will do the trick!

 

Final Thoughts
All that said, we believe that you and your loved ones deserve to use a well-cleaned toilet bowl! In the end, it’s up to you whether you choose store-bought cleaners or home-made vinegar solutions. If you are going for commercial cleaners, go for those that have the mildest ingredients to protect that porcelain throne. Otherwise, if you want a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle, vinegar is the ideal choice for you.