How to Use Vinegar as a Toilet Cleaner

Ever since the pandemic, I have been trying to go all natural in as many ways as possible: my hair routine, my makeup, and my cleaning products. One way I do this is by using vinegar to clean. I’ve done this in my shower and bathtub, now my latest victim is a vinegar toilet cleaner.

Vinegar is a natural, non-toxic cleaner that can be used to clean a variety of surfaces in your home, including your toilet. It is effective at removing dirt, grime, and stains, and it can also help to deodorize your toilet. This is a big win for me since I live with two boys, if you know you you know.

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How To Remove Stains Toilet With Vinegar

While vinegar is a natural cleaner, stains can be stubborn, especially those found in a toilet bowl. With the right tools and combination of the vinegar toilet cleaner, we can clean those gross stains right outta there! Here are the steps to use vinegar to remove stains from your toilet:

1. Pour 2 cups of white distilled vinegar into the bowl
2. Let it sit overnight if you have really bad stains
3. Take 1 Cup baking soda and sprinkle it liberally around the bowl on top of the vinegar
4. Grab some gloves and your scrubbing tool of choice
5. Start scrubbing! Circular motions are best!
6. Once clean, flush the toilet to rinse the solution from the bowl
7. Repeat the process as many times as needed to remove stains

Adding Vinegar to The Toilet

When adding the vinegar to the toilet bowl, there are a few things to think about. First, if your bowl is really dirty, turn off the water and flush to empty the bowl. Next, pour the 2 cups (480 mL) around the rim at the top so the vinegar can cover the entire surface.

Let it sit for an hour to 24 hours depending on your toilet situation.

Be sure to use white distilled vinegar, not apple cider vinegar. The amber color of this solution could stain the toilet further.

Let’s Make the Ultimate Vinegar Toilet Cleaner

Now let’s talk about the entire vinegar toilet cleaner. After adding the vinegar and it has set for however long, it’s time to add 1 cup baking soda. Just like the vinegar, apply at the top of the toilet around the rim.

The vinegar may fizz, don’t be alarmed, that means its working to fight dirt and grime! For really bad stains, make a paste with a little more baking soda to make an abrasive solution.

This is really good on stains such as hard water stains, rust, and old stains.

Scrub-A-Dub-Dub!

Now that our vinegar has sat and the baking soda is in, it’s time to start scrubbing the toilet bowl. Take a toilet brush and scrub in circular motions around the rim, all the way down into the bowl.

Depending on the cleanliness of your toilet, you may consider a variety of brushes such as a smaller toothbrush, a brush with flat bristles to get under the top lip, or even something electric.

Pro Tip: When you are done scrubbing your toilet with the toilet brush, place it under the toilet seat with the brush facing inward. Leave it hanging there until it dries so you don’t have to put a wet brush back in the holder.

Repeat The Steps Until The Vinegar Does It’s Job

Even After all the scrubbing, the toilet may not be fully clean. You can repeat the steps as many times as needed to make sure the stains, grime, and dirt are all gone!

After each time you scrub, flush to toilet to clear the bowl before you add more vinegar and baking soda and repeating the process.

Related: Clean Your Shower With Vinegar

What Causes Toilet Stains?

What causes those gross stains in our toilets? You know, the red rings when it’s been a while since the toilet has been cleaned (no judgement, we all been there). What about the hard water stains? Other stains?

Believe it or not, its not only due to what we put into the toilet, but also what is already there in the water. Hard water contains minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium that can build up over time and create stains.

Another reason is urine. Urine contains ammonia, which can also cause stains. Finally, food and dirt can also build up in a toilet and create stains.

How To Prevent Hard Water and Other Stains in the Toilet

One way to get rid of the hard water stains and other stains in the toilet is to make a borax paste. Combine 1/2 cup of borax and 1/4 vinegar. Empty the bowl by turning off the water and flush to drain the water. Spread the paste on the stains.

Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes before scrubbing with a scrub brush. Repeat until stains are gone.

Other preventions are as simple as regular cleaning. If you clean the toilet once or twice a week, this can prevent those minerals and dirt from building up and creating stains. Deep clean with vinegar and baking soda once a month.

FAQ

What is the vinegar solution?

You want a 2:1 ratio of vinegar to baking soda. I used 2 cups of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda.

How to unclog the toilet with vinegar?

Pour vinegar and baking soda in the bowl. Let sit for 30 minutes. Use a plunger to plunge the toilet until its unclogged. If you have a septic tank, you don’t want to use vinegar.

How long should I leave vinegar in the toilet?

Either in an empty bowl or bowl with water, the vinegar solution can sit in the toilet over night for up to 24 hours!

Does vinegar clean stains from the toilet?

Vinegar can clean stains from the toilet, Yes! It is very acidic, so it assists in breaking down the chemicals and minerals that may be contributing to staining your toilet.

Will vinegar make my toilet smell better?

Vinegar is a natural deodorizer that helps to neutralize the smell of urine and bacteria in your toilet.

Final Thoughts

Vinegar is a natural and inexpensive way to clean your toilet. It is effective at removing dirt, grime, and stains, and it is safe for use around children and pets. Here are some things to remember when cleaning your toilet with vinegar:

• Use white vinegar, not apple cider vinegar.
• Do not use vinegar if your toilet has a water softener.
• If you have hard water, you may need to add a little bit of baking soda to the vinegar solution or use a borax paste.
• Be sure to wear gloves when cleaning with vinegar, as it can irritate the skin.
• You can leave the vinegar in the toilet bowl overnight.
• An abrasive scrub brush is needed to help scrub the bowl of stains

Cleaning your toilet with vinegar is a quick and easy way to keep your bathroom clean and sanitary. I love that I can clean with things I already have at home. It is also a safe and effective alternative to harsh chemicals, and it is gentle on the environment. What do you think? Will you try it?