Hygiene, comfort, and a healthy home environment all depend on having a clean toilet. Maintaining your home on a regular basis is essential to avoid the spread of germs, unpleasant odors, and unsightly stains.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) toilet cleaning solutions are an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional toilet cleaning methods that frequently rely on toxic chemicals.
Ingredients and Tools
You may make a safe and effective eco-friendly toilet cleaning with items found around the house, such as:
- Baking soda: Acts as a gentle abrasive to remove stains and odors.
- Vinegar: Contains acetic acid, which helps dissolve mineral deposits and disinfects.
- Essential oils (optional): Provide natural fragrance and some antibacterial properties.
- Castile soap (optional): Adds some extra cleaning power to the solution.
- Lemon juice (optional): Contains citric acid for added cleaning and a fresh scent.
Necessary tools for making and applying the cleaner
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- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl or container
- Spray bottle or squirt bottle (for application)
- Toilet brush
- Microfiber or reusable cleaning cloths
- Gloves (optional, for those with sensitive skin)
Recipe #1: Citrus Vinegar Cleaner
Ingredients
- White vinegar, 1 cup
- Remove the peels from two or three citrus fruits.
- Essential oil (like lemon or lavender) for aroma is optional.
Preparation
- To enhance the infusion, collect the citrus peels and chop them into smaller pieces.
- Put the peels of the citrus fruits in a glass jar.
- Warm (but not boiling) white vinegar is poured over citrus peels in a container.
- Add a few drops of essential oil, if using, for a more pleasant aroma.
- Put the lid on the jar and put it in the fridge or a dark cupboard to steep for a couple of weeks. Every few days, give the jar a gentle shake to help the infusion along.
- When the steeping time is up, filter out the citrus peels and use the vinegar as usual.
Benefits of Using Citrus and Vinegar
- Natural Cleaning Power: Vinegar can be used as a disinfectant, and the citric acid in citrus fruits can dissolve stains and mineral deposits.
- Eco-Friendly: This cleaner is safer for the environment because it contains mostly non-toxic substances.
- Pleasant Scent: The vinegar stench will be completely covered up by the citrus scent, leaving you with a clean, pleasant-smelling bathroom.
- Cost-Effective: It is generally more economical to make your own cleaner at home rather than purchase commercial cleaning goods.
Application and Scrubbing Technique
1. Application
- Put the cleaning solution of citrus vinegar in a spray bottle for convenient use.
- You should flush the toilet to wet the surface before applying the cleaning.
- Spray the toilet bowl thoroughly with the cleaner, being sure to get in all the crevices and around the rim and beneath the rim.
2. Scrubbing
- For best results, give the cleaner at least 10 to 15 minutes to sit before wiping it down.
- Scrub the bowl thoroughly with a toilet brush, paying close attention to any particularly stained or filthy areas.
- If necessary, wait a few more minutes after applying the cleaner and then give the area a light scrubbing.
- When finished, flush the toilet to remove the cleaning solution and reveal a spotless bowl.
Recipe #2: Baking Soda and Lemon Cleaner
Combine Baking Soda and Lemon for Cleaning Power
Cleaning with baking soda and lemon is like cleaning with dynamite. Baking soda can be used as a gentle abrasive to help remove stubborn dirt and grime.
Lemon juice’s citric acid content makes it effective at removing hard water stains, getting rid of soap scum, and imparting a clean, refreshing aroma. This mixture can be used as a safe and effective toilet cleaning.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ingredients
- Baking soda, half a cup
- 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice (strained to remove seeds and pulp).
- H2O (for blending)
- Essential oil (such as lemon or tea tree) can be used for extra scent and antibacterial benefits but is not required.
Preparation
- Put the baking soda and the lemon juice in a bowl and stir them together.
- The mixture should thicken into a paste as you stir it. If the mixture is too dry, a little water can be added to make it workable.
- Add a few drops of essential oil, if using, and combine thoroughly.
Application
- You should flush the toilet to wet the surface before applying the cleaning.
- Remove any extra water from the bowl with the toilet brush, but leave the surface moist.
- Load the toilet brush or cleaning cloth with the baking soda and lemon solution.
- Use the brush or cloth to spread the solution all over the bowl’s interior, including the space under the rim.
- For best results, give the cleaner 10 to 15 minutes to sit before cleaning.
Scrubbing
- After allowing the cleaner to sit for a while, scour the bowl with the toilet brush.
- Apply more pressure to soiled or discolored areas as necessary.
Rinsing
Flush the toilet to remove the cleaning solution and display a spotless bowl once you’re finished.
Recipe #3: Essential Oil Freshener
Aromatic and medicinal, essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. Essential oils give not only a nice aroma but also antibacterial, antifungal, and deodorizing properties to cleaning products.
Here’s how to make a bowl freshener using essential oils that will leave your bathroom smelling great.
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Select the Right Essential Oils for a Fresh Toilet
Depending on your mood and the desired aroma, select the appropriate essential oils for your toilet air freshener. Among the most common choices, we find:
- Lavender: Known for its calming and relaxing aroma.
- Lemon: Offers a fresh and invigorating citrus scent.
- Peppermint: Provides a crisp and energizing fragrance.
- Eucalyptus: Adds a refreshing and revitalizing aroma.
- Tea Tree: Known for its natural antibacterial properties.
- Orange: Offers a sweet and uplifting citrus scent.
Mixing and Application Process
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup witch hazel or white vinegar (acts as a preservative)
- 15-20 drops of your chosen essential oil(s) or a combination of oils
- Optional: 1-2 teaspoons of rubbing alcohol (increases evaporation for faster drying)
Preparation
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- Put the water, witch hazel/white vinegar, and rubbing alcohol (if using) in a bowl and stir well.
- To the mixture, add 15–20 drops of the essential oil(s) of your choice. If you want a stronger or weaker aroma, simply add more or fewer drops. Think about blending different oils to create your own signature scent.
Application
- Put the essential oil blend into a portable spray container.
- You should scrub the toilet bowl before spraying in any air freshener.
- To ensure that the solution is completely blended, shake the spray bottle.
- A couple of quick sprays of the essential oil deodorizer in the toilet should do the trick. Strive for the water beneath the lip.
Safe and Effective Use of the DIY Toilet Cleaners
- Read Labels: Cleaning solutions, whether store-bought or homemade, should be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions.
- Protective Gear: If you have sensitive skin, eyes, or lungs, and are working with hazardous substances, always wear protective gear.
- Ventilation: When using cleaning solutions, make sure the area has adequate ventilation. To reduce your exposure to odors, open windows or turn on fans.
- Spot Test: If using a homemade cleaner with unproven chemicals, it is extremely important to perform a spot test.
- Don’t Mix: To prevent potentially harmful chemical interactions, do not combine various cleaning products. Avoid switching between many products.
- Rinse Well: Surfaces that come into contact with food or skin should be rinsed thoroughly after cleaning.
- Keep Out of Reach: Keep all cleaning supplies in a locked cabinet or place out of the reach of youngsters and pets.
- Label: Make sure to accurately label any homemade cleaning solutions you store in containers.
- Dispose Properly: When disposing of cleaning supplies, especially dangerous materials, be sure to check local rules. Throughout the country, you can find designated dumps.
- Test on Grime: To effectively remove stubborn stains and mineral buildup from your toilet, let the cleaner soak for a few minutes before scrubbing.