Mastering the Art of Toilet Cleaning: Essential Steps for a Sparkling Bathroom
Cleaning the toilet may not be your favorite chore, but it’s essential to stick to a routine. Actively cleaning your toilet can help prevent limescale build-up and bacteria in your water fixtures. Niina Silander, an expert from Martta, suggests that it’s a good idea to clean the toilet once a week.
Focus on High-Touch Areas
“The dirtiest parts of the toilet are the toilet bowl and the places where your hands touch before washing them, such as the edge of the toilet seat lid, the toilet seat pull knob, and the faucet of the sink,” says Silander. In addition to the toilet seat and sink, a toilet brush should not be left off the weekly cleaning list.
Regular Maintenance for the Toilet Brush
“At the very least, it’s a good idea to clean the toilet brush when you wash the toilet once a week,” advises Silander. The easiest way to rinse the brush is to wash the toilet. After using the brush, you can also spray it directly with detergent and rinse it in a clean bowl by flushing the toilet. Then leave the brush to air dry.
“It’s also a good idea to wash and dry the toilet brush regularly, as water and bacteria easily accumulate in the cup,” Silander advises. Cleaning your toilet brush at least once a week is recommended. In addition to active cleaning, the toilet brush should also be changed from time to time. Silander recommends replacing the brush with a new one when it looks worn out. Depending on the brush, a good replacement interval is every year or so.
Choosing the Right Brush
When buying a new brush, pay attention to the design, as some brushes are better for cleaning the top edges of the bowl and others for the bottom. “If the brushes are bent and worn, they will reduce the brushing efficiency, and in this case in particular, the brush should be replaced,” says the Martta expert. And also when the weekly brush washing has been neglected for some reason. It is then a good idea to start a weekly brushing routine with a new brush straight away.
Don’t Forget to Dry
As well as flushing the toilet brush, another important task is easily forgotten on toilet cleaning day. “It’s easy to wash the toilet well, but forget to dry the seats and other external parts. A wet toilet is a good breeding ground for bacteria. Good drying helps to keep the toilet clean,” says Silander.
Hygiene Tips and Family Involvement
Washing toilets is not rocket science, and Silander recommends sharing the toilet-washing duties between the whole family. But it’s worth teaching the little ones a few important rules to remember. “When cleaning toilets, practice good hygiene and use your own labeled cleaning cloths to avoid spreading germs to other areas of the home,” says Silander. Cleaning cloths should always be washed at a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius to kill bacteria.
Choosing the Right Detergent
It is also a good idea to pay attention to the choice of detergent. Martat recommends using an all-purpose detergent for toilet cleaning. “In the past, at least, many people have thought that disinfectants should also be used for everyday cleaning. However, for everyday use, even milder products are fine. Of course, if you get sick in your home, you should use stronger cleaning products.
