When it comes to cleaning the house, there are few more dreaded tasks than tackling the germ and bacteria-laden toilet. Toilets, for a host of reasons, are breeding grounds for entities that can make us sick or just gross us out. Cleaning a toilet, however, is not hard. You simply have to know how to do it.
First and foremost, it is important that you have the right fixtures on your toilet so that excess bacteria do not get caught in the system. Having a toilet that is properly maintained and that fits perfectly is key to maintaining a healthy bathroom environment.
Your toilet seat should fit flush with the bowl. If the toilet seat is either too small or too large for the bowl, you run the risk of contaminating too large of an area.
Secondly, avoid using rugs and carpet both around the base of your toilet and the toipet seat itself. While rugs are comfortable and add color to your bathroom, the gather and breed bacteria and germs. It is much easier and cleaner to disinfect a smooth toilet seat with harsh astringents that it is to carry a bacteria-full carpet through the house to the washing machine.
Finally, when decorating your bathroom, avoid selecting wooden or other porous toilet seats, as they will hang onto bacteria far more than the porcelain alternative. Bacteria and mildew spores can be difficult to clean out of the pores of a wooden toilet seat, but they can be wiped clean from a smooth-surface toilet seat.
When approaching toilet cleaning, there are several options you can choose, but a series of procedures that are proven to work better than others. Keep in mind that a thorough cleaning involves sterilizing both the inside of the toilet (where the water is) as well as the toilet seat and the actually toilet base itself.
When cleaning the inside of the seat, it is recommended that you begin by dumping a cleanser, such as bleach, into the water. Using a toilet-bowl brush, scrub around the edges of the toilet seat, being sure to cover all surfaces, including the lip of the toilet bowl.
After you are finished scrubbing, leave the bleach water in the toilet for a few minutes before flushing it down the drain. It is recommended that you clean with bleach once a month – not only to sterilize the toilet, but also because the bleach will help to break up any blockage that may have built up in your pipes.
When cleaning your toilet bowl seat and base, be sure to wear rubber gloves so that your hands are protected from bacteria. Any cuts in your skin may be entry-points for infection. Start by dipping a rag into the bleach water. Rub the entire toilet seat and toilet bowl base down with the rag, making sure to get all corners and edges. The more bleach you use, the better.
Next, you will want to scrub or mop the floor around the toilet to ensure that the entire toilet area is thoroughly cleaned and bacteria-free. To do this, it is also a good idea to mop the entire bathroom floor at the same time. Cleaning your toilet should happen at least once a month, but more if many people use the toilet.