If you ask people what their least favorite chore is it won’t be surprising if most of them answer that it’s cleaning the bathroom. The area where we relieve and clean ourselves is one of the most ‘feared’ places in a house because it tends to be humid and a favorite breeding ground for bacteria, germs, and molds. Aside from that, it is frequently wet so water usually leaves stains on the walls, floors, sinks, shower area—everywhere!

One of the places where water stains are difficult to remove is the toilet bowl, especially because it is always filled with water. No matter how diligently you clean, there are still yellowish or brownish rings that appear around the inside of the toilet bowl. Stains also run from the rim to the water line. The culprit is the minerals usually found in hard water that cling on to bathroom fixtures. Despite having water softener filters, it is still highly likely that hard water will find its way into homes. This can be a recurring headache for those who love to keep their bathrooms spick-and-span.

The good news is there are actually some hacks you can use to make toilet bowl cleaning and stain removal an easier and quicker task, and the best part is you don’t have to use any harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning tools.

Use Common Household Products And Cleaning Hacks.

1. Vinegar – One trick is to put the vinegar in a spray bottle, drain the toilet bowl, then spray the vinegar on the stains. Or you can directly pour 3 cups of vinegar into the bowl. Let the vinegar sit for 15 to 30 minutes, then scrub the stained areas using your plastic brush, the flush.

2. Baking Soda – This can be made into and used as a paste by mixing one part baking soda with equal part vinegar. Apply the paste on the toilet stains, leave for 15 to 30 minutes, then brush it off and flush. You can also pour 1 cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, followed by 1 or 2 cups vinegar. There will be fizzing, but it’s just a normal reaction of the mixture. Leave it for 15 to 30 minutes, scrub the bowl, and flush.

3. Borax – This is a very powerful cleaning agent that is usually found in hardware stores. Just sprinkle the powder directly on the stains, brush the toilet, let the borax sit for 30 minutes, then flush.

4. Hyrdogen Peroxide – Whoever said this was only for the medicine cabinet? Hydrogen peroxide is a great cleaning agent because it has strong oxidizing properties, which makes it an excellent alternative to bleach. Plus, it’s green and less harmful. Just make sure you are using the traditional 3% solution. Mix one part water with one part hydrogen peroxide, spray it on the inside of your toilet bowl, scrub, and flush.

Important Reminders:

Drain the toilet bowl and turn off the water before you begin cleaning.
Make sure to wear gloves and other protective gear, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Open the windows and doors so any odors won’t stick around and wet surfaces can dry faster.
Do not use metal, stone, and other hard and abrasive cleaning tools to avoid damaging your toilet.