Cleaning your toilet is not the most pleasant household task, but it is an essential part of keeping your home pleasant and hygienic.

“It’s the throne that everyone has to sit on, so you have absolutely no choice: you have to clean it regularly,” said Delia Cannings, chair of the committee. British Cleaning Council.

Read on to find everything you need to make your latrine shine, including how to clean limescale and stains from your toilet.

Discover the most comfortable, the most solid and best toilet paper roll. Or join which one? to access all our independent test results

How often should you clean your toilet?

How often you clean your toilet depends on how many people use it.

“In a family home of around five people, you only need to wipe it down when needed and deep clean it once a week,” explains Délia.

If done regularly, she says it should take about 10 minutes, although dirtier toilets will take longer to clean.

Delia also recommends deep cleaning your toilet regularly. This involves using a screwdriver to unscrew the bolts, before carefully removing and disassembling the seat and cleaning the brackets, hinges and small connection holes in your toilet where you attach the seat.

Periodic cleaning of your toilet should take around 15 minutes.

Be inspired to make improvements to your home. Subscribe to our Home newsletter, it’s free every month.

Cleaning your toilet: what should you use?

Here are some items you should have on your toilet cleaning checklist:

• Toilet brush
• Toilet cleaner
• Rubber gloves
• A rag or two
• An old toothbrush
• A bucket.

“It helps to have a color-coded system for your toilet cleaning kit,” Delia said.

“For example, you can use red cloths and gloves to reduce the risk of bacteria being transferred to other areas of the house.

“The products you use are really important. You should make sure you use a cleaning product that cleans and disinfects and follow the recommended dilution advice.

We evaluated the the best and worst bathroom brands based on our survey of over 6,000 people

Should you use bleach to clean toilets?

Bleach is a popular choice for many people when cleaning their toilets, but there are some things you should be wary of when using it.

In the UK, bleach is usually based on sodium hypochlorite and is effective at killing germs and disinfecting when used correctly. It can also help eliminate odors.

But it’s essential to know how to use bleach safely before cleaning with it. It is a very corrosive substance, so you should not leave it undiluted in the toilet bowl for more than a few minutes – check the instructions to find out how long.

It can also react with other cleaning solutions, including acid-based products like limescale removers and vinegar, potentially creating toxic gases. It can even react with ammonia present in urine. It is therefore important to flush the toilet before and after cleaning with bleach to reduce this risk.

Remember that bleach will not attack limescale stains – it will only lighten the color. So it’s best to consider an anti-limescale cleaning spray instead if you’re dealing with buildup in your toilet.

When using bleach-based products, be sure to always wear gloves and old clothing and follow the instructions carefully.

This will help minimize the risk of accidents when using bleach.

If you don’t want to use bleach, why not consider one of the best bathroom cleaners of our tests?

Three steps to cleaner toilets

Delia says her favorite technique is “Flush, Push and Brush”.

1. Rinse

Start by rinsing off the water. This will ensure that any debris in the bowl is removed and will allow you to have a clearer view of the area that needs to be cleaned.

Make sure the lid is down when you flush the toilet to avoid a “toilet plume.” This is the stream of particles that occurs when you flush the toilet and can coat other surfaces in your bathroom.

2. Push

Use your toilet brush to push water directly into the bowl and into the channel. This will allow you to see the tide mark – the point where the water usually sits.

Apply the cleaning product around this spot and leave it to work – for a few minutes or as long as the information on the bottle recommends – this is called contact time.

You can remove the brush and let the bowl fill, ready for the next step.

3. Brush

Scrub and rinse the inside of the toilet with the brush, making sure to reach the channel to remove stains. Then flush the toilet again, remembering to close the lid.

Find expert advice at how to clean your home more sustainably

How to clean toilet stains

Once you’ve applied the toilet cleaner and let it sit, scrub the stains thoroughly with the toilet brush. Careful use of cleaning cloths is essential.

Delia recommends a technique that involves folding the cloth systematically, so you can use a clean face each time you change the direction in which you clean. This helps prevent the transfer of germs from one area to another.

“If you have to use a cloth to remove fecal matter, make sure it’s disposable so you can use it and lose it,” Delia said.

How to clean limescale from your toilet

If you live in an area with hard water, you may experience limescale buildup in your toilet.

“Not only is limestone unsightly, it harbors bacteria,” Delia said. “You should use a descaler periodically, perhaps once every three months, although the frequency depends on the hardness of your water.”

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions as descalers often contain acid.

Simple Ways to Help with 5 Household Chores You Hate

Clean the exterior of your toilet

The exterior of your toilet also needs cleaning. When doing so, start with the cleanest parts and work your way to the least clean areas. This process – known as clean-to-dirty work – avoids the redistribution of contaminants.

“The dirtiest parts are the ones people come into contact with the most,” Delia said. “This would include the flush handle, lid, and toilet seat. Leave these areas for last. The flush is always the last part to clean, because it doesn’t matter if anyone has sat down on the seat, the toilet will have been flushed.

You can use a cloth for general cleaning, but an old toothbrush can be useful for more detailed cleaning of harder-to-reach areas, for example around seat supports and hinges, as well as in all other nooks and crannies. .

“A little polishing with your extra cloth will ensure that no moisture remains on the exterior surfaces and the throne will be fit for a king,” Delia said.

How to clean the brush and brush holder?

Once you have finished cleaning your toilet, it is important to clean the brush and holder before replacing them.

“The best way to clean your toilet brush is to submerge it in a bucket of disinfectant cleaner,” Delia explained. “You can also spray it and the toilet seat and wipe them with a disposable cloth. Don’t wash the brush in the toilet you just cleaned, otherwise you will simply reintroduce germs and bacteria.

“Remember that you should replace your toilet brush regularly: the standard recommendation is every six months to a year, but this can vary depending on how often you use it and the condition of the bristles.

“If the head begins to discolor or the bristles become frayed or kinked, it is important to replace the brush.”

Do you need to replace these everyday items? Find out which of your household items may soon need to be replaced