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A dreaded household task , clean the toilet is the definition of marked-up work . Mostly it ’s a matter of hygienics , but cleaning the toilet properly can also make the fixture last longer , particularly if you live in an surface area with hard piddle . While the   self - cleaning lavatory of tomorrow   hold out the promise that one twenty-four hour period , we ’ll be spare of this least - favorite duty , it is — at least for the time being — unavoidable . The silver lining ? It ’s in reality not at all hard to clean a can . Here ’s how to do a exhaustive line of work .

Tools & Materials

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Step 1: Put on protective gear.

Before getting embark on , beseem up in protective gear . prophylactic gloves are must , but an apron and protective eyewear might be a good idea , too , since the process involves some harsh chemicals . An Panthera uncia of prevention is worth a pound of therapeutic , as the saying work . The next preparative step is to drain thetoilet . To do so , you could turn off the piddle supply and then flush , or you could wedge the ice-cream soda valve ( also known as the ball cock ) so that after flush , the lavatory does not automatically refill .

Step 2: Squeeze toilet bowl cleaner inside the rim of the bowl.

Lift up the toilet stern and squirt disinfectant around the rim and sides of the bowl , allowing it to range lento down to the bottom . ( If you live in an area withhard urine , opt for a disinfectant that contains a chemical substance like borax , one that hit lime scale . instead , you may purchase and apply calcium hydroxide scale of measurement remover separately . ) With a stiff , charge plate - bristled brush , scrub the cleaner over the full bowl , then allow it to adjust .

Step 3: Use a pumice stone to remove stains.

To remove tough stains , use a pie-eyed pumice Harlan Fiske Stone to scratch the unnatural area of the ceramic bowl . Pumice gemstone can also dislodge calcined lime scale deposits . It ’s a handy pecker , no matter the specific cause of discoloration .

Step 4: Clean the outside of the toilet.

With the germicide puzzle out its illusion , end the place and hat and focus on the exterior . Use adisinfectant spray , conform to with a clean rag week or report towels to pass over it all down . devote surplus attention to the arse hinge , notorious for its grime buildup . Finally , spray and pass over both sides of the lid and ass .

Step 5: Scrub the inside of the bowl again, and flush the toilet.

Grab thetoilet brushonce more and have another go at the throne bowl . This time , pass most of your vigour on the region underneath the lip and down into the toilet uracil - crease . Once finish up , restore the piddle supply or unplug the float valve . Flush the toilet , permit fresh water to clean off any remaining antimicrobic . Last but not least , rinse off the bristle brushing so that is ready to be used next time .

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Woman scrubbing the inside of a toilet with a pumice stone.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman wearing rubber gloves spraying toilet cleaner inside the rim of the toilet.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman wearing yellow rubber glove cleaning interior of toilet with a pumice stone.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

A woman wearing rubber gloves using spray cleaner to clean the outside of a toilet.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Person wearing rubber gloves using a toilet brush to scrub the inside of a toilet.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

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