Let's be honest: cleaning the toilet is not exactly everyone's hobby. Still, there is nothing as nice as a toilet that shines and smells fresh – especially in a busy household where the toilet is regularly used (and misused). As a mother, I have perfected my cleaning routine for the toilet: quick, effective, and with products that really work (and preferably not too harmful to the environment or my nostrils!). In this blog, I will take you step by step through my toilet cleaning ritual. Put on those gloves, play some nice music, and let's make that porcelain throne shine as if it were new!
Step 1: Preparation is half the work
Before we get started, first set everything up. What do you need? My essentials: rubber gloves (really, because no one wants hands that smell like the toilet), a toilet brush, a few old cloths or microfiber cloths, and of course cleaning product of choice. I also always prepare a bucket of warm soapy water with a splash of all-purpose cleaner for the outside of the toilet.
Tip: for the toilet, preferably use separate cleaning cloths or sponges that you don't use for other tasks. I have an old Scrub Daddy sponge that has seen better days and has been promoted to “toilet sponge.” It’s perfect for scrubbing the underside of the seat or the hinges, because it doesn’t scratch and I can throw it away without tears afterwards. Safety first and a good excuse to buy a new cheerful Scrub Daddy later, right?
Step 2: Choosing the right cleaning product
There are tons of toilet cleaners on the market and everyone has their favorite. You can go for the classic toilet gel with bleach (we all know that chlorine smell). It kills bacteria in one go and makes the bowl look clean, but honestly: I find the smell of chlorine terrible and it’s not exactly environmentally friendly. Fortunately, there are alternatives. I like to use a mild but effective toilet cleaner. An example is the Asevi toilet gel with eucalyptus scent (or a similar product) – cleans well and smells pleasantly fresh. But my absolute secret weapon against a dirty toilet is a trendy product I discovered via social media: The Pink Stuff foaming toilet powder! Yes, you read that right: powder.
This pink powder you throw into the bowl, a pink foam appears (a little foam party in your toilet, the kids love to watch it) and that foam loosens stains and lime scale:contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}. After a few minutes, the foam subsides and you can flush. Result: a cleaner bowl that also smells fruity fresh:contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}. The nice thing is that it works without a harsh chlorine smell. Of course, you can also just use cleaning vinegar and baking soda as a home remedy: a cup of vinegar in the bowl, a scoop of baking soda added, and it fizzes and cleans at the same time. Works fine, but smells less nice. Choose what suits you!
Step 3: Scrubbing the inside of the toilet bowl
Now that the product has had time to work, it’s time for the real scrubbing. Grab the toilet brush and scrub thoroughly along the walls of the bowl and especially under the rim. That rim is notorious; lime scale and urine deposits like to hide there. Do you have a rimless toilet? Lucky you, that makes cleaning much easier. If not, make sure to get the brush head well under that rim. If I see some lime scale rings (that yellowish deposit, yuck), I sprinkle some baking soda on it and scrub firmly. The abrasive grains of the soda help remove the last residues.
For the germaphobes among us: if you really want to be sure all bacteria are killed, you can at this point sprinkle a splash of diluted bleach along the edges and let it sit for a minute before flushing. I only do this if someone in the house has been sick; for daily/weekly cleaning I find it overkill (and the smell, brrr). After scrubbing: flush with the brush still in the bowl, so it gets rinsed as well. Be careful of splashing toilet water, that’s why I wore those old clothes, remember?
Step 4: Cleaning the toilet seat and lid
The inside is clean, but a truly hygienic toilet also means the seat, lid, and all other parts are clean. Nobody wants to sit on a sticky toilet seat, right? I lift the seat and lid and spray them with a disinfecting all-purpose cleaner (I’m a fan of the perfumed Fabulosa spray with antibacterial effect:contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}, it doesn’t smell so chemical). Let the spray sit for a moment and then wipe everything with a clean cloth. Don’t forget the hinges – dirt tends to accumulate there. Got stubborn stains or discoloration on the underside of the seat? A bit of Pink Stuff cream on a cloth can work wonders; just gently rub and that yellowed haze disappears.
Make sure to clean both the top and bottom of the toilet seat, and also the rim of the bowl where the seat rests. I know, not the nicest job, but think about how proud you’ll be when everything shines. At my house, I give everyone a warning afterwards: “This toilet is so clean it shines, so please sit down to pee or clean it yourself!”, I say laughingly to the men in the house. Half joke, half serious 😉.
Step 5: The outside and the floor around it
Now the inside looks perfect, but the outside of the bowl deserves attention too. Grab your bucket of soapy water (remember, with that splash of all-purpose cleaner or some mild cleaning product) and a cloth. Clean the entire outside of the toilet bowl: the cistern (top and button not forgotten), the outside of the bowl, and definitely the base of the toilet and the floor around it. Drops can sneak there too (especially if people pee standing up at home). I often use a separate cloth with warm soapy water for this, and afterwards I throw that cloth straight into the wash. If you have a tiled floor, also mop the tiles around the toilet for a finishing touch. I like to add a splash of Asevi eucalyptus floor cleaner to the mop water or some Fabulosa concentrate – then the whole toilet smells nice and fresh with a menthol scent (and I associate that smell with clean).
Also remember to clean the skirting boards or silicone edges behind the toilet. Dusty and damp = yuck, mold or bad smell. A broom or the narrow vacuum cleaner nozzle along the back can’t hurt before mopping. These are the details you only notice when they’re dirty, but when you clean them you mainly think: hmm, it smells nice here and everything looks fresh!
Step 6: Don’t forget the toilet brush itself
A frequently forgotten culprit: the toilet brush holder! A bad smell can develop there too if you never clean it. Honestly, I used to just throw away a brush after a few months and buy a new cheap one. Not great for sustainability, so now I try to make it last longer by keeping it clean. After cleaning, I always rinse the brush (as described, by holding it under the running toilet water while flushing). Then I often clamp the brush under the toilet seat so it can drip dry instead of putting it back dripping in the holder.
From time to time, I pour some hot soapy water or a splash of diluted bleach into the empty brush holder, let it sit for a bit, and then rinse it away. Another top tip: sprinkle a bit of Bin Brite powder on the bottom of the brush holder. Originally intended to prevent odors in your trash bin, but hey, why not in the bottom of the toilet brush holder? It keeps bad smells away and absorbs excess moisture:contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}. Since I started doing this trick, I dare to move my brush holder without fear while mopping, haha!
Step 7: Smell and long-lasting freshness
Your toilet is now clean, but of course you also want it to stay fresh smelling until the next cleaning. There are those toilet blocks for in the bowl or scent sticks for the room – use whatever you like. I like to put a scent stone in the little sink (that lemon-yellow block that slowly dissolves, wonderfully lemon fresh). Besides that, I swear by regularly using a perfumed disinfecting spray on surfaces (like that Fabulosa). Just spray after a busy toilet day, wipe with a cloth, done.
Another tip: at night before going to bed, put a cup of cleaning vinegar in the bowl and don’t flush. Let it soak overnight. This helps against lime scale and neutralizes odors. In the morning at the first toilet use, you flush automatically and have done some maintenance unnoticed. These are small things that ensure you don’t need a big cleaning again too soon.
Finally, for luxury lovers: a home spray or scented candle (keep it safely away!) in the toilet room works wonders for the experience. There are even special toilet perfumes you spray in the bowl before use (yes really, they exist, like “poopouri” type sprays). Well, every little bit helps to keep the smallest room pleasant, right?
Step 8: Hygienic finishing touch – cloths and textiles in the wash
You’re done! Throw all used cloths and possibly the sponge in the wash or away. Don’t forget to wash your hands thoroughly (even if you wore gloves). I also replace the hand towel hanging in the toilet after every big cleaning with a clean one. And the toilet mat, if you have one, goes into the wash at 60°C. I do that with a splash of Robijn detergent, so the fabrics come out not only clean but also wonderfully smelling again. Nothing is as nice as a sparkling clean toilet with a freshly washed mat in front – that’s really the cherry on top.
So, applause for yourself: your toilet shines and smells like new again! By using these products and tips, you not only ensure a hygienic toilet now, but also long-lasting freshness in the coming days. With a few smart habits (daily quick check, weekly mini vinegar treatment) you keep it easy. And if you have less time once in a while? Then you know a pink foam party or a quick spray will save you. Cleaning the toilet will never become my favorite hobby, but honestly: such a nice fresh toilet does give a satisfying feeling. Good luck with your next cleaning – you can do it!