How to Keep a Toilet Bowl Clean Without Scrubbing

Co-authored by Eduardo Peralta and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: December 19, 2022 References

Imagine if you could keep your toilet bowl clean without ever picking up a scrub brush. Sound too good to be true? Fortunately, it’s not! Before you grab the brush and the rubber gloves, there are some alternatives you can try to knock out grime and keep your toilet fresh and clean—without having to use any elbow grease. In this article, we’ll discuss the best ways to prevent and treat common toilet bowl issues, including mineral stains, lime deposits, bacteria, and mold, with little or no scrubbing.

1

Prevent dirt and stains with an automatic cleaner.

These cleaners keep grime from building up. Look for an automatic or continuous cleaner that fits inside your toilet tank. When choosing from different options, cleaning specialist Eduardo Peralta emphasizes that "an acidic toilet bowl cleaner is best." These devices release cleansing and disinfecting solutions into your toilet every time you flush, so that you don’t have to scrub your toilet bowl nearly as often.^{[1]
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- Automatic toilet cleaners come in a variety of forms. For example, some of them are gel packets that clip into the side of the toilet bowl, while others are refillable cartridges that attach to the inside of the tank.
- Follow the instructions on the package to install your toilet bowl cleaner and find out how often to replace or refill it.
- If you plan to do a deep clean, remove the automatic cleaner first. This will prevent you from accidentally creating toxic fumes by mixing different cleaning chemicals together.^{[2]
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2

Keep your toilet fresh with a cleaning tablet.

These tablets release cleaners with every flush. Toilet cleaning tablets slowly release bleach or other cleaning chemicals into your toilet water, preventing the buildup of grime, bacteria, and bad odors. This is an easy way to cut back on scrubbing. Simply drop the tablet into the bowl and replace it as often as recommended on the package.
- While the instructions on these tablets usually advise you to put them in the toilet tank, putting them directly in the bowl reduces chemical wear and tear on the hardware in your tank.^{[3]
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- These tablets gradually dissolve over time, but cheaper ones can sometimes break apart and temporarily slow or clog the drain on your toilet. To prevent problems with flushing, go with trusted brands instead of the cheaper generic tablets.

3

Do a quick clean with denture cleaning tablets.

Denture tablets will dissolve light stains. Grab 1 or 2 denture cleaning tablets and toss them into the toilet. You’ll notice the tablets fizzing and the water turning blue.^{[4]
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4

Clean your toilet overnight with Coke.

Carbonation in the soda breaks down stains. Pour a bottle of Coke or a similar cola drink into your toilet bowl. Pour the soda in around the edges of the bowl to cover as much of the inner surface as possible. Let it sit in the toilet overnight, then flush it the next morning.^{[6]
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- You can also pour Coke into a spray bottle and spritz it directly on hard-to-reach areas.^{[7]
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- Keep in mind that Coke will dissolve some stubborn stains, but it won’t actually disinfect your toilet. For a deeper clean, follow up with a disinfectant spray or gel to kill lingering bacteria.

5

Soak off stains with vinegar and toilet paper.

The acid in vinegar dissolves mineral deposits. It’s also a mild disinfectant, so it may kill some of the odor-causing germs in your toilet bowl.^{[8]
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Research source} To get rid of mineral deposits or hard water stains, fill a container with distilled white vinegar. Dip a piece of toilet paper in the vinegar and lay it on top of the stained area. Repeat this process to cover any other discolored spots. Let the vinegar-soaked toilet paper sit in place for about 4 hours, then remove it from the stained areas with your gloved hands. Use the paper to gently wipe any remaining discoloration away.^{[9]
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- Vinegar is a gentle acid, but it can still irritate your skin. Wear gloves to protect your hands and keep them clean.
- Throw away the soiled toilet paper in the garbage. If you applied any paper below the water line, you may be able to dispose of it by simply flushing the toilet.
- To treat stains below the water line, empty your toilet bowl by turning off the water to the toilet and then flushing. You can also empty the bowl without triggering the tank to refill it by forcefully pouring a bucket of water into the toilet bowl.^{[10]
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6

Try DIY toilet bombs.

These gentle cleansers may reduce the need for scrubbing. To make grime-busting toilet bombs, combine ¼ cup (48 g) of citric acid, ½ cup (260 g) of baking soda, and 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of liquid dish soap in a bowl. Fill a few small bath bomb molds with the mixture and let them set for 24 hours. Drop a bomb into your toilet bowl and let it dissolve to loosen stains and dirt. Let it sit for several minutes before flushing the toilet.^{[11]
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- Some cleaning bloggers recommend adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a boost of fresh scent.
- This is a good option for removing mild, light stains. If you still see any stains, toss in another bomb or wipe the stains away with a rag or brush.

7

Make a fizzy vinegar and baking soda cleanser.

This combination can banish hard water stains. Pour about 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar into your toilet and swish it around with a toilet brush, making sure to coat any stained areas. After about a minute, sprinkle baking soda liberally on any stains, then pour on another 1 cup (240 mL) of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then stir it around with the toilet brush again and flush to rinse away any remaining grime. This fizzy combo can also break up clogs in your toilet drain.^{[12]
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- Baking soda is a gentle abrasive and a natural water softener, which can also cut through many stains. Vinegar is also excellent for dissolving lime stains and mineral deposits.^{[13]
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- If there are still any stains in the bowl, wipe them away with a rag or sponge.
- As an added bonus, baking soda by itself is great for boosting the health of your septic tank. Pour 1 cup (221 g) of baking soda into your toilet bowl and flush it once a week to maintain a good pH balance and prevent clogs and backups.^{[14]
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8

Tackle mold and bacteria with bleach.

Bleach both disinfects and banishes stains. Most cleaning experts recommend using products that contain bleach to clean your toilet.^{[15]
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Research source} It is effective against rust and other tough stains. Cleaning specialist Eduardo Peralta suggests that, for best effects, you first apply an acidic toilet bowl cleaner: "Apply product to the entire toilet bowl, let sit for about 10 minutes, scrub with a toilet scrubber, and flush to rinse." Then, he suggests you "apply bleach spray to the entire toilet bowl, and let sit for five minutes." Finally, give it a "good scrub with the toilet bowl scrubber, targeting areas that need attention." For especially difficult areas, he suggests finishing off with a pumice scrubber or a magic eraser.
- While scrubbing is usually an important part of the cleaning process with these types of cleansers, you might get away with minimal scrubbing—or none at all—if your toilet isn’t too heavily soiled. Pour a bucket of water into your toilet bowl. This will cause it to flush without triggering the tank to refill the bowl. Then, coat the entire bowl with a bleach-based cleaner. Let it sit for at least 2 hours, then flush your toilet to rinse the bleach away.^{[16]
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- If you’re not crazy about the idea of using harsh chlorine-based bleach in your toilet, look for a gentler alternative, such as oxygen bleach.
- To avoid creating toxic fumes, never mix bleach with other household cleansers!^{[17]
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  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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9

Wipe away surface grime with a rag or toilet paper.

Sometimes a little gentle wiping is enough. If you’re dealing with dirt that isn’t too set in, put on some rubber gloves and wipe it away. Although it sounds a little gross, you can even use your fingernail through the glove to dislodge stubborn buildup.^{[18]
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- In addition to being chemical-free, this is a good option if you’d rather steer clear of toilet brushes, which can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.

10

Remove rust or lime stains with muriatic acid.

This powerful acid removes limescale. However, it can be dangerous, so use it as a last resort and follow the directions on the package carefully. Empty the bowl by pouring a bucket of water into the bowl or shutting off the water supply to the toilet, then flushing. Mix 1 part muriatic acid with 5 parts water, then fill the toilet bowl with the solution. Close the toilet lid and let the acid sit for 2-3 hours.^{[19]
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- Muriatic acid can damage your plumbing if you flush it. The instructions on the package may advise you to scoop it out of the toilet with an acid-safe container or neutralize it with baking soda.
- When using muriatic acid, always wear protective equipment, such as acid-proof rubber gloves, safety goggles, a respirator mask, and thick clothing that completely covers your skin.^{[20]
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- In fact, you should wear gloves when you use any kind of acidic toilet cleaner.
- Keep the bathroom well ventilated, and don’t let anyone use the toilet until you’ve removed the acid.

11

Install a water softener to prevent hard water stains.

This is a good option if you have very mineral-rich water. If white vinegar or other acidic cleaners just can’t keep up with the mineral stains in your toilet, you may need a water softener or conditioner.^{[21]
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Research source} Do a search for a water softener installation service near you. A good water softener will keep limescale, rust stains, and mineral deposits from building up in your toilet bowl.
- You may be a good candidate for a water softener if you use well water, which is often rich in stain-causing metals and minerals.
- Unfortunately, this option can be very pricey, with most water softening systems costing at least $1000.

Warnings

To keep yourself and your family safe, only try one type of cleanser at a time. Rinse your toilet thoroughly before trying another type of cleaning solution.^{[22]
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Any time you’re using cleaning chemicals, keep a window or door open and turn on your bathroom fan to keep the room well-ventilated.

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Follow the safety instructions on the package. For instance, you may need to wear gloves, goggles, or a respirator while working with certain chemicals.

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