How to Remove Bacterial Growth From a Toilet

How to Use Lye in Toilets
Written By
Alicia Bodine
Alicia Bodine
Published: Sep 9, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

There is a way to get rid of the bacteria if you already have it growing in your toilet.

Things You Will Need

  • Plastic gloves
  • Hard surface detergent
  • Rag
  • Toilet brush
  • Bleach
  • Bleach tablet
  1. Put on a pair of plastic gloves to protect your hands from touching the bacteria when you clean the toilet.

  2. Pour some hard surface detergent on a damp rag and wipe down the outside of the toilet first. Then wipe down the toilet lid and seat.

  3. Rinse off any detergent residue with a clean wet rag. You can then dry the area with a towel, or let it dry on its own.

  4. Pour some of the hard surface detergent in the toilet bowl and be sure to get around the inside ring of the toilet. Let it sit for about five minutes.

  5. Scrub the inside of the toilet with the toilet brush. Sometimes a toilet brush is called a toilet wand.

  6. Flush the toilet and then pour 1 cup of bleach in the toilet. The bleach will get rid of any bacteria that was left behind by the hard surface cleaner. Let the bleach sit for another five minutes before flushing again.

  7. Lift up the lid to the toilet tank and drop in a toilet tablet that contains bleach. These tablets should last up to three months. After that, you will need to replace them. They will help keep bacteria from building up in the tank and the toilet bowl.

The Drip Cap

  • According to the website Mouse Cleaning, it is important to give your toilets a thorough cleaning at least once per week.
  • Pour some of the hard surface detergent in the toilet bowl and be sure to get around the inside ring of the toilet.
  • Scrub the inside of the toilet with the toilet brush.
  • The bleach will get rid of any bacteria that was left behind by the hard surface cleaner.
  • These tablets should last up to three months.

Photo Credits

Toilet bowl and bidet in a toilet image by terex from Fotolia.com

Toilet bowl and bidet in a toilet image by terex from Fotolia.com

Alicia Bodine

Alicia Bodine has been a professional writer for 13 years. She has produced thousands of articles for online publications such as Demand Studios, GoBankingRates and WiseGeek. Bodine is passionate about gardening, travel, education and…

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