DIY Cleaning Methods for Toilet

Baking Soda and Vinegar Toilet Cleaning Guide

• Gather your supplies: You’ll need baking soda, white distilled vinegar, a toilet brush, and a pair of gloves. Optional: a microfiber cloth for wiping down the exterior.

 

• Flush the toilet to start with a wet bowl. This helps the baking soda stick to the sides instead of sliding straight down the drain.

 

• Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda (about 1/2 cup) around the inside of the toilet bowl, focusing on stains and under the rim. Baking soda is a mild abrasive, which means it can help scrub away grime without scratching porcelain.

 

• Pour about 1 cup of vinegar into the bowl, aiming for the areas with baking soda. The mixture will fizz—this is normal and helps loosen buildup. Let it bubble for at least 10 minutes. If you’re dealing with stubborn stains, you can let it sit for up to 30 minutes.

 

• Scrub the bowl thoroughly with a toilet brush, paying extra attention to mineral rings and under the rim. The fizzing action helps, but elbow grease is still your best friend here.

 

• Flush to rinse away the mixture and any loosened debris. If you see any spots left behind, repeat the process or spot-treat as needed.

 

• Wipe down the exterior of the toilet with a damp microfiber cloth and a little vinegar if you want to tackle drips or dust. Don’t forget the flush handle and seat hinges—these spots get touched a lot.

 

• Ventilate the bathroom while you clean. Vinegar has a strong scent, but it dissipates quickly with airflow.

DIY Toilet Cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide and Essential Oil

What You’ll Need:

• 3% hydrogen peroxide (the kind you find in the brown bottle at most drugstores)
 
• Your favorite essential oil (think tea tree, lavender, or eucalyptus—just a few drops will do)
 
• A spray bottle (preferably opaque, since hydrogen peroxide breaks down in light)
 
• Toilet brush
 
• Gloves (optional, but always a good idea when cleaning toilets)

How to Mix It Up:

• Pour about 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide into your spray bottle.
 
• Add 10–15 drops of essential oil. This is mostly for scent, since the oil won’t mix perfectly with the peroxide, but it’ll make the job a little less nose-wrinkling.
 
• Give the bottle a gentle shake before each use to disperse the oil.

How to Use It:

• Flush the toilet to start with a wet bowl. This helps the solution spread around.
 
• Spray the inside of the bowl generously, aiming for under the rim and any visible stains.
 
• Let it sit for at least 10 minutes. This gives the hydrogen peroxide time to do its thing—loosening up grime and making it easier to scrub away.
 
• Scrub with a toilet brush, focusing on any stubborn spots.
 
• Flush again to rinse everything away. If you want, you can give the seat and handle a quick spritz and wipe, too (just don’t forget to rinse your cloth afterward).

What’s Actually Happening Here?

• Hydrogen peroxide is a mild oxidizer, which means it helps break down stains and mineral deposits. It’s often used as an alternative to bleach for general cleaning tasks.
 
• Essential oils add a pleasant scent and, depending on the oil, may help mask odors. They don’t mix with water or peroxide, so you’ll see them float, but that’s normal.
 
• This combo is best for regular maintenance and freshening up, not for tackling heavy-duty buildup or deep stains.

Extra Tips from the Field:

• Always store hydrogen peroxide in a dark bottle and out of direct sunlight, or it’ll lose its oomph.
 
• Don’t mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar or bleach—stick to one cleaner at a time to avoid unwanted chemical reactions.
 
• If you’re sensitive to scents, skip the essential oil. The peroxide alone will still help with cleaning.