How to Clean a Toilet: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide

What You’ll Need

Toilet bowl cleaner suitable for your toilet and its surface
Toilet brush
Disposable or washable cleaning cloths, kept separate from other household cloths
Bathroom disinfectant suitable for the toilet’s seat and exterior
Household gloves, if desired
Paper towels or a clean, dry cloth for finishing

Check the labels before you begin. Never mix cleaning products, especially bleach with ammonia, acids, vinegar, or other toilet cleaners; dangerous fumes can result. Open a window or turn on ventilation. Keep products away from children and pets, and use them only as directed. If you use a toilet cleaner that contains bleach, make sure no other cleaner is in the bowl first.

Step-by-Step

Prepare the area. Remove items from around the toilet, such as a bath mat or wastebasket, so you can reach the base. Put on gloves if you want them, and ventilate the room. Read each product label for contact time, surfaces, and rinsing instructions.
Apply bowl cleaner. Lift the seat and lid. Apply toilet bowl cleaner beneath the rim and around the inside of the bowl, using the amount and method stated on its label. Avoid splashing. Leave the cleaner to work for the label’s stated time; do not add another product while it sits.
Clean the outside while it sits. Put the seat and lid down if that helps prevent cleaner splashes. Apply a surface-appropriate cleaner or disinfectant to a cloth, or directly to the surface only if its label allows. Wipe the tank, flush handle or button, lid, and both sides of the seat. Do not use abrasive pads or a harsh product that could scratch or damage the finish.
Wipe the base and floor area. Use a separate cloth to clean the toilet’s exterior base, including the area behind it and around the floor-level joints. Wipe nearby floor spots carefully. Keep the cloth used for the base away from the seat and other touch surfaces. Follow the product label for how long a disinfectant surface must remain visibly wet and whether it must be rinsed.
Scrub the bowl. With the toilet brush, scrub beneath the rim, around the waterline, down the sides, and into the trap opening. Use firm strokes to loosen residue, taking care not to splash. If a mark remains, continue gentle scrubbing rather than using a metal tool or mixing in another cleaner.
Flush and rinse the brush. Flush with the lid down if the toilet has one. Swish the brush in the clean bowl water, flush again if needed, and let excess water drain. Store the brush so it can dry without touching the toilet exterior or floor. Follow any label instructions for the brush or cleaner.
Finish and put supplies away. Check that the seat, lid, handle, and base are clean. Rinse reusable cloths separately from other laundry or dispose of single-use cloths as directed. Remove gloves and wash your hands with soap and water. Store cleaners in their original containers, securely away from children and pets.

Common Mistakes

Mixing cleaners: Never combine toilet bowl cleaner with bleach, vinegar, ammonia, or another product. Even products used one after another can react if residue remains. Flush and rinse as the labels direct before using a different cleaner.
Cleaning too quickly: Disinfectant needs the contact time printed on its label to work as intended. Wiping it off immediately may not meet the instructions. Keep the surface wet for the stated time, reapplying only as the label permits.
Using one cloth everywhere: A cloth used on the bowl exterior or floor can spread grime to the seat and handle. Use separate cloths or clean sections, and wash or discard them appropriately.
Scrubbing with something abrasive: Steel wool, metal tools, and rough scouring pads can scratch porcelain, plastic, or coated finishes. Use a toilet brush in the bowl and a non-abrasive cloth on exterior surfaces.
Ignoring the underside and touch points: The seat’s underside, hinge area, flush control, and base can be missed. Include them in the routine, using a cloth that is not used for the bowl.

Tips

Clean the toilet regularly, and sooner if it is visibly soiled or used heavily. A light, frequent clean is usually easier than scrubbing built-up residue.
Use a toilet bowl cleaner for the bowl and a product labeled as suitable for the seat and exterior. A product safe for one surface may not be appropriate for another.
Work from cleaner touch surfaces toward dirtier areas, and reserve a separate cloth for the base and floor.
Close the lid before flushing when the toilet has one. This helps limit splashes, but it does not replace cleaning.
For routine cleaning, follow the cleaner’s label rather than combining products or increasing the amount. More cleaner does not necessarily make the job safer or more effective.

Troubleshooting

A stain remains after scrubbing. What should I do?

First identify whether it is a deposit, a scratch, or discoloration. Try a second application of a bowl cleaner that is suitable for the toilet, following its label and using the brush. Do not scrape with metal or mix in a stronger product. If the stain persists, check the toilet manufacturer’s care instructions or ask a qualified cleaning professional about the surface.

The cleaner has dried before the contact time is complete.

Follow the product label. If it permits, apply enough product to keep the surface wet for the required time; otherwise, rinse or wipe as directed and repeat according to the instructions. Improve ventilation without letting the product dry prematurely, and never add another cleaner.

The toilet cleaner splashed onto the seat or floor.

Check the label for the correct cleanup method and act promptly. Use a separate cloth to wipe or rinse the affected surface as directed, and avoid spreading the product. If it contacts skin or eyes, follow the label’s first-aid directions and seek appropriate help if symptoms or irritation continue.

The toilet brush smells or looks dirty.

Rinse it in the bowl after use, let it drain and air-dry, and clean or replace it according to its care instructions. Do not put it away wet in a closed holder, and do not use it to clean the seat or exterior.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean a toilet?

There is no single schedule for every home. Clean it regularly, and clean it sooner when it looks dirty, smells unpleasant, or has been used heavily. Follow the same surface and product precautions each time.

Should I put cleaner in the bowl before scrubbing?

Yes. Applying a toilet bowl cleaner first gives it time to loosen residue. Use the product’s stated contact time, then scrub with a toilet brush.

Can I use bleach and vinegar together?

No. Never mix bleach with vinegar or any other cleaner. Mixing cleaning products can release dangerous fumes. Use one product at a time and follow its label.

Do I need to clean the toilet brush?

Yes. Rinse it in the bowl after scrubbing, let it drain and dry, and maintain or replace it according to its care instructions. Keep it separate from cloths and tools used on other surfaces.

Can I use the same cleaner on the bowl and seat?

Only if the product label says it is suitable for both. Bowl cleaners can be too harsh for some seat materials and finishes, so use a surface-appropriate product and follow the toilet manufacturer’s care instructions.

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.