- Vinegar and baking soda can help disinfect and remove tough toilet bowl stains.
- It's important to add each ingredient separately for maximum results.
- Use a DIY refresher spray to keep your toilet smelling fresh between cleanings.
No one enjoys cleaning the bathroom — especially the toilet, which is often one of the grimiest spots in your home. But it's a job that needs to be done. And using effective, natural ingredients, like vinegar and baking soda, can make the task a little bit more tolerable.
Homemade natural cleaners are less expensive than specialized commercial toilet cleaning products. And, since you likely have all the ingredients in your home, you'll always have a cleaning solution at the ready.
How the ingredients work
"For a simple, all-natural DIY toilet cleaning solution, all you need is some baking soda and white vinegar," says Ryan Lupberger, CEO of Cleancult, a natural cleaning product company. He adds that both are great alternatives to bleach.
Baking soda is a natural whitening agent that effectively removes stains — you'll often see it as an ingredient in natural whitening toothpaste. And, vinegar helps disinfect surfaces, says Lupberger.
"Both vinegar and baking soda are great ingredients to use for a plethora of cleaning tasks, but specifically, when used on the toilet, they will not only clean but also eliminate any smells," he adds.
How to make your own toilet bowl cleaner
Instructions
To clean your toilet with vinegar and baking soda, you'll need to add the ingredients one after the other.
1. Pour the vinegar into your toilet bowl. Make sure to move the cup around as you pour, so the vinegar is distributed evenly around the toilet bowl.
2. Let the vinegar sit. Close the toilet lid and wait an hour or more. If you're dealing with a heavily stained toilet, try pouring in vinegar in the morning and come back later to finish the cleaning process in the evening. Letting vinegar sit is crucial for eliminating bacteria.
3. Pour in the baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda into your toilet bowl, making sure to cover the sides.
4. Grab a scrubbing brush. Use a toilet brush to scrub away stains and grime.
5. Flush the toilet. Flush to remove cleaning residue and check that you've eliminated all stains.
6. Repeat the process. If your toilet is still stained, repeat the cleaning process. You can also use this solution to clean the rest of your toilet, too. Including the lid and sides.
7. Wash your hands. Although the ingredients are safe, Lupberger recommends washing your hands thoroughly after cleaning to prevent dryness and irritation.
How to make your own toilet refreshers
To keep your toilet smelling fresh between cleanings, Stapf recommends making a DIY toilet bowl refresher to banish odors. Mix distilled water, baking soda, Castile soap, and a few drops of your essential oil inside a spray bottle for a mixture that can help limit stain build up and smells.
Insider's takeaway
Using simple, easy-to-find ingredients like baking soda and vinegar can help remove stains and disinfect your toilet bowl. Use a refresher spray to eliminate odors and limit hard water buildup between cleanings.