Toilet cleaning may not be anyone's favorite task, but a clean and fresh-smelling bathroom is worth the effort. That's why many people turn to quick hacks, like putting toothpaste in the toilet tank. But does it actually work?
You can use toothpaste to clean your bathroom tank, and the best part is you don't need to clean at all. All you need to do is flush. Read our blog further to know how this hack works and if it's actually useful.
How Does the Hack Work?
Buy menthol toothpaste of any brand or price and make cuts and holes in it. After you have made the holes, place it in your toilet tank. Now, every time you flush, a small amount of toothpaste will be released with a fresh, minty smell that will act as a disinfectant. The toothpaste will supposedly last for about a month before you need to replace the tube.
The toilet seat will still require periodic cleaning as usual, but the process will be quite hassle-free because of this hack. Also, you no longer need to worry about the filthy smell of your toilet while you clean it or even use it regularly.
Does the Hack Actually Work?
Professional cleaners do not endorse this method. You cannot use any product to clean the toilet, which is meant for some other purposes. There are many reasons why you should not use toothpaste in the toilet:
Effectiveness: Since toothpastes are designed to clean your teeth, it is not potent enough to clean your toilet. This is why you should use products specially designed to clean your toilets.
Plumbing Risks: It is important that you do not use chemicals that will degrade the inner workings of your toilet with time. There is also a risk of toothpaste getting stuck in the tank, causing the water to back up. Even if it does not get stuck, less water will be available to flush the toilet bowl, resulting in a less powerful flush.
Cost Inefficiency: If considering the budget-friendly option, most cleaning products are actually cheaper than toothpaste.
Overall, this hack seems to have more risks than benefits.
Common Cleaning Myths That Do Not Work
Everyone wants a shortcut for cleaning their toilet and, therefore, looks for convenient hacks. But it is important to know if the hack you are using is actually useful or just causing damage to your toilet. Here are some common myths on how to clean your toilet that do not work:
Using Soda to Clean Your Toilet
Using soda, coca-cola in particular, to clean your toilet is a common method opted by many people, and even a lot of articles suggest doing so. But it is not a recommended hack. The acids in soda might remove some rust stains, but dumping a whole bottle in the toilet will only lead to stickiness.
Using a Magic Eraser in Your Toilet Tank
Magic erasers work well for removing stains and marks on the wall, and they can also remove soap scum. But, when it comes to the toilet tank, it is not beneficial. The reason is that you need to scrub the magic eraser yourself for cleaning, so putting one inside the toilet tank will not work. In fact, it could damage the flushing mechanics.
Putting an All-purpose Cleaner in Your Toilet Tank
You can clean the toilet using all-purpose cleaners by pouring a little into the bowl and scrubbing it. But do not put it in the toilet tanks. They can be corrosive and damage the rubber and seal in your tank. This can cause your toilet to run and leak.
How to Clean Your Toilet?
In general, plumbers suggest not to use any chemical-based products in the tank. It's better to opt for bowl-based toilet cleaners. But you can use some chemicals that are designed to be used for the toilet tank.
Apart from buying toilet bowl cleaners, you can also clean your toilet using some common household products. All you need to do is mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and a hard water stain remover is ready to use. Spray this mixture over the place that you want to clean and let it sit. Then, scrub it with a toilet bowl brush. If the stains are still visible, mix baking soda with the solution in a small container and scrub again. After you are done cleaning, rinse the area and wipe it dry. The stains will disappear after this.
Using anything other than water in the toilet tank can damage it and lead to costly repairs. The cost of replacement of the whole toilet tank can cost around $25. The plumber will also charge around $250 as labor cost. So, it's better to prevent your toilet tank from any such damage by not using the wrong products. It will also save you from costly repairs.
