#29 update FIXED IT: Best toilet bowl cleaner?

[twowhat?]

I've been cleaning our own toilets...but not as frequently as our housekeeper would have, haha. So now they have some hard water buildup in the bowl. Oops. What's the best toilet cleaner to remove this? And then is there a good toilet cleaner I can use to prevent this, and that would make it easier for me to keep up with the toilets without scrubbing? The kind that you squirt under the rim once a week maybe? I will not put anything in the tank...have had many plumbers frown upon this. I am WAY out of touch on how best to clean toilets...

[jgenie]

Get the Lysol toilet cleaner in the black bottle to clean the stains. I’ve found that wiping toilets often makes cleaning a breeze. I clean toilets once a week if I keep up with regular cleaning, it only takes ten minutes to clean a bathroom.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I just use Scrubbing Bubbles foaming cleaner (not toilet specific). I also use the Scrubbing Bubbles gel stamps. You put it right where the water cones out in the bowl and it really helps to keep it cleaner between cleanings.


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[carolinamama]

I taught my boys how to clean a bathroom a few months ago and they are responsible each for cleaning one every week. It's been fantastic since we don't have a cleaning person right now.

We use Clorox toilet cleaner with the disposable scrubber, mainly because that's what our cleaning person liked. We use one scrubber for 2 toilets.

[niccig]

To get rid of stains that are there, turn off the water and flush so you lower the water below the stain. Spray vinegar on the stain and put paper towels on the stain and spray them so they stay damp. I used to have a spray bottle of vinegar under the sink and I’d spray the toilet bowl whenever I used it. Need to start that again


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[essnce629]

I use Seventh Generation toilet bowl cleaner once a week and have never had any stains.

[lizzywednesday]

I kind of do what Nicci does, but not with vinegar - I dump a bucket into the toilet, which lowers the water level without my having to remember to turn the water off/on, squirt whatever bowl cleaner we last bought (Clorox, Lysol, Up & Up, Toilet Duck ... really, I'm not picky) up under the rim, until everything's coated, and let it sit 15-20 minutes before scrubbing.

Hard water stains, I might want to use CLR brand.

[AnnieW625]

I have pretty hard water and prefer to use a Clorox white tablet (won’t change color of toilet water, and use one about every 2 months) and then follow up either Clorox or Lysol w/bleach every week or so. I have tried multiple times using 7th Generation, Greenworks, or Method toilet cleaner with either no tablet or a tablet and I end up with a faint hard water stain line when I don’t use a cleaner with bleach. We have a toilet brush similar to Oxo’s but it is just the Target brand.


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[sariana]

Whether you get stains will depend on the composition of your water more than your cleaner. We had really hard water at our last house. The water here is not as bad but still leaves some mineral deposits. I like the blue Lysol cleaner in the white bottle that I get at Costco. I have tried Clorox, but I don't like its consistency. The Lysol is just thick enough to sit under the rim for a few minutes before running into the bowl and "tackling" the water line stain. I do have to scrub lightly. I just use whatever brush is convenient, lately a set I got at Costco.

What may be more important than the product is the consistency. If you let a line start to form, it will be more difficult to eliminate. Using a cleaner before that line begins is key.

[Liziz]

When I've had to deep clean toilets (either when we were first moving in somewhere, or when I let things go a little tooooo long....) I always turn to The Works. It's super caustic so be careful with it (my kids normally are responsible for doing the toilets, but I don't let them use this one), but it has never failed to do the job for me.

[klwa]

I have pretty hard water and prefer to use a Clorox white tablet (won’t change color of toilet water, and use one about every 2 months) and then follow up either Clorox or Lysol w/bleach every week or so. I have tried multiple times using 7th Generation, Greenworks, or Method toilet cleaner with either no tablet or a tablet and I end up with a faint hard water stain line when I don’t use a cleaner with bleach. We have a toilet brush similar to Oxo’s but it is just the Target brand.


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I agree with the tablet. Once ours gets stained due to hard water, that's the quickest, easiest way to get rid of it.

[twowhat?]

Help! Ugh. So I got the Lysol bottles from Costco. They work GREAT and the smell doesn't bother me (spearmint-y). However, I cannot figure out the stupid caps:( I could not get the first bottle to open. I squeezed the cap like it said and turned - nothing! The second bottle I was actually able to open but after I use it, I twist to close the cap and stand the bottle upright and the blue stuff leaks out from the cap and drips down all over the bottle. I am so frustrated!!! Someone please help me figure out the cap!! I spent more time cleaning the stupid Lysol bottle than the actual toilet!

[SnuggleBuggles]

Help! Ugh. So I got the Lysol bottles from Costco. They work GREAT and the smell doesn't bother me (spearmint-y). However, I cannot figure out the stupid caps:( I could not get the first bottle to open. I squeezed the cap like it said and turned - nothing! The second bottle I was actually able to open but after I use it, I twist to close the cap and stand the bottle upright and the blue stuff leaks out from the cap and drips down all over the bottle. I am so frustrated!!! Someone please help me figure out the cap!! I spent more time cleaning the stupid Lysol bottle than the actual toilet!

I'm having a little chuckle here but I'm sorry you're struggling! If I remember right (I have some of that cleaner around) you just twist the cap and squeeze the bottle righ where the lid joins at the bottle. YOu only barely twist the lid though.

[erosenst]

Big fan of the Lysol Power (Costco and others carry it) - but some depends on your water. You can also use a pumice to get rid of the hard water marks and then maintain.

The caps are fussy - we've used it forever and sometimes I still have problems. As a PP said, you have to pinch and then easily twist - but I find better luck if I use my other hand to 'anchor' it on the counter rather than do while I'm holding it.

[twowhat?]

I'm having a little chuckle here but I'm sorry you're struggling! If I remember right (I have some of that cleaner around) you just twist the cap and squeeze the bottle righ where the lid joins at the bottle. YOu only barely twist the lid though.


Big fan of the Lysol Power (Costco and others carry it) - but some depends on your water. You can also use a pumice to get rid of the hard water marks and then maintain.

The caps are fussy - we've used it forever and sometimes I still have problems. As a PP said, you have to pinch and then easily twist - but I find better luck if I use my other hand to 'anchor' it on the counter rather than do while I'm holding it.

I had to get a second bottle out because I could never get the first one open! For the second bottle, I read the instructions which say to place on a flat surface and don't squeeze the bottle - that cap came open more easily. But I still had problems with the blue gel oozing out from underneath the cap even after being twisted closed - REALLY annoying and a waste of product! Am I missing a trick? Maybe I should keep the cap OPEN and let everything drain down away from the cap and THEN close it? OMG I cannot believe how frustrating the whole process was!! And SnuggleBuggles, I admit at one point I did start laughing at the ridiculousness of it all! The good news: the blue gel worked GREAT and removed all the water stains and mineral buildup and I didn't even really have to scrub - I did a test wipe with a paper towel and it just all came off! So easy. Well, except for the d@mn cap...

[sariana]

I had to get a second bottle out because I could never get the first one open! For the second bottle, I read the instructions which say to place on a flat surface and don't squeeze the bottle - that cap came open more easily. But I still had problems with the blue gel oozing out from underneath the cap even after being twisted closed - REALLY annoying and a waste of product! Am I missing a trick? Maybe I should keep the cap OPEN and let everything drain down away from the cap and THEN close it? OMG I cannot believe how frustrating the whole process was!! And SnuggleBuggles, I admit at one point I did start laughing at the ridiculousness of it all! The good news: the blue gel worked GREAT and removed all the water stains and mineral buildup and I didn't even really have to scrub - I did a test wipe with a paper towel and it just all came off! So easy. Well, except for the d@mn cap...

Did you get it at Costco? I think they get "seconds" or something because I often get bad bottles there. I had an entire box once of faulty bottles. Usually they are fine, though.

Still, it may not be you--it may be the bottle.

[twowhat?]

Did you get it at Costco? I think they get "seconds" or something because I often get bad bottles there. I had an entire box once of faulty bottles. Usually they are fine, though.

Still, it may not be you--it may be the bottle.

YES, I got the box from Costco! Grrrrr....

[bisous]

The stuff sounds amazing but the cap sounds like more hassle than it is worth! FWIW, I use good old Comet and a scrub brush. It has taken care of worse toilets than I'm sure anyone here on BBB has ever had to deal with before (I'm a perennial renter of cheap apartments and some people are just gross!)

[Percycat]

What color is your hard water stain? At home, we have typical hard water. Like others, I put a Clorox bleach tablet in the tank of each toilet. I have scrubbing bubble wands attached to the back of each toilet and a supply of flushable pads and heavy duty pads in each bathroom. My kids actually 'fight' over who gets to clean the toilet when we divvy up chores [Trust me.... I don't understand....].

At a vacation home, our well water has high iron deposits which leave the bowl orange. We use Iron Out to deal with stains.

[newnana]

I finally stopped buying the toilet cleaner at costco because of the caps. Same stuff, different store= no problem. Super frustrating. And gross. And I still have that costco supply to use up but don't want to ruin cabinet interiors or stain grout with this stuff if whoever is cleaning doesn't notice it. Pass. It's not you.

[zukeypur]

We use Lime-Away for hard water buildup, and Chlorox or lysol toilet bowl cleaner for bio-buildup.

[Kindra178]

Clorox tab system and vinegar overnight for hard water stains.

[Melaine]

Someone here suggest a pumice stone to scrub the toilet stains and I plan to try that.

[bisous]

Someone here suggest a pumice stone to scrub the toilet stains and I plan to try that.

This worked on the grossest toilet you ever saw. It will work. It's not a fun process though! But I think I'm finally immune to being grossest out by poop. I hope I don't have to test that, lol!

[AnnieW625]

That is so strange because I have never had a problem with the Lysol or Clorox cleaners that have the same type of top, but I always buy at Target/Walmart because we only have one bathroom so we never need more than one at a time. Thanks for letting me know about the issue with the 3 pack from Costco because we will soon have two bathrooms.


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[twowhat?]

What color is your hard water stain? At home, we have typical hard water. Like others, I put a Clorox bleach tablet in the tank of each toilet. I have scrubbing bubble wands attached to the back of each toilet and a supply of flushable pads and heavy duty pads in each bathroom. My kids actually 'fight' over who gets to clean the toilet when we divvy up chores [Trust me.... I don't understand....].

At a vacation home, our well water has high iron deposits which leave the bowl orange. We use Iron Out to deal with stains.

We don't have super hard water here...the "stain" is mostly colorless - it's just that you can feel a sort of calcium-type hard buildup. So, not the toughest stains to get out. The buildup did not come off with just scrubbing but with the Lysol (which I think has ammonia in it based on the smell) dissolved that buildup so easily - it didn't even require scrubbing afterwards to get it off!! I could've just flushed the toilet a couple of times and rinsed the gel down and done! For your iron stains, I bet Bar Keeper's Friend would work awesome. It took a rusty paint can stain off of our bathroom counters from contractors letting it sit there wet. I use it to clean caked-on oily gook from our gas cooktop, and burnt-on food from the bottom of pans. Works so well.


I finally stopped buying the toilet cleaner at costco because of the caps. Same stuff, different store= no problem. Super frustrating. And gross. And I still have that costco supply to use up but don't want to ruin cabinet interiors or stain grout with this stuff if whoever is cleaning doesn't notice it. Pass. It's not you.


That is so strange because I have never had a problem with the Lysol or Clorox cleaners that have the same type of top, but I always buy at Target/Walmart because we only have one bathroom so we never need more than one at a time. Thanks for letting me know about the issue with the 3 pack from Costco because we will soon have two bathrooms.


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So...I went to the Costco website and sorted the Lysol reviews from worst to best...all the bad reviews had to do with the cap!!! Who knew?!?!?!

[zukeypur]

Someone here suggest a pumice stone to scrub the toilet stains and I plan to try that.

I would try lime-away first. Much less scrubbing.

[doberbrat]

I will admit to not scrubbing the toilet nearly as I ought to. When I need to, I spray scrubbing bubbles in the bowl, close the top and leave it overnight. Stains are much less in the am and come off with a regular scrub.

DH wont let me use any tablets b/c he says that it will ruin the toilet.

[twowhat?]

OK, had to update, as I fixed the Costco bottle cap issue!! Basically, the cap is misaligned which is why it doesn't work properly out of the box, with the 2 plastic stops on the bottle not where they need to be in relation to the cap. If you look carefully, when you squeeze the cap, the purpose is to force the cap into an oval shape to allow the ends of the ovals to get past the plastic stops. So you want to the cap to hit those plastic stops on the sides that you are NOT squeezing when you turn counterclockwise. The squeezing then deforms the cap so that it moves past the stops as you continue the counterclockwise turn to fully open it. A couple of my bottles weren't doing this.

To fix: place bottle on firm flat surface, floor or counter, grab the cap firmly and turn it CLOCKWISE until you feel it go past the plastic stops once. Then check the cap, turning it counterclockwise as intended to open, and see if the "squeeze" and "deform" points hit at the right places. Voila!!

And then...after using, if you set the bottle upright and LEAVE THE CAP OPEN, it reduces (but not eliminates) the leaking to a level I can deal with (one dribble that didn't make it all the way to the bottom of the bottle). After a minute, then I close the cap completely with no further leakage.

And finally, a hack...these are great to clean bathroom sinks too, hahaha. Even with a ton of soap and toothpaste buildup, it all came off easily with just minimal gentle scrubbing. So I have reserved a bottle for the sinks and one for the toilets.

[bisous]

OK, had to update, as I fixed the Costco bottle cap issue!! Basically, the cap is misaligned which is why it doesn't work properly out of the box, with the 2 plastic stops on the bottle not where they need to be in relation to the cap. If you look carefully, when you squeeze the cap, the purpose is to force the cap into an oval shape to allow the ends of the ovals to get past the plastic stops. So you want to the cap to hit those plastic stops on the sides that you are NOT squeezing when you turn counterclockwise. The squeezing then deforms the cap so that it moves past the stops as you continue the counterclockwise turn to fully open it. A couple of my bottles weren't doing this.

To fix: place bottle on firm flat surface, floor or counter, grab the cap firmly and turn it CLOCKWISE until you feel it go past the plastic stops once. Then check the cap, turning it counterclockwise as intended to open, and see if the "squeeze" and "deform" points hit at the right places. Voila!!

And then...after using, if you set the bottle upright and LEAVE THE CAP OPEN, it reduces (but not eliminates) the leaking to a level I can deal with (one dribble that didn't make it all the way to the bottom of the bottle). After a minute, then I close the cap completely with no further leakage.

And finally, a hack...these are great to clean bathroom sinks too, hahaha. Even with a ton of soap and toothpaste buildup, it all came off easily with just minimal gentle scrubbing. So I have reserved a bottle for the sinks and one for the toilets.

Good to hear it. And this is such a BBB type fix--research, hack, adapt, and share. :)

[erosenst]

Great - thanks for sharing!