Few household chores are more groan-inducing than cleaning a toilet.

Cleaning a toilet starts with removing any visible dust, dirt, or other grime.

Luckily, this doesn’t have to be a tedious or gross task.

bathroom with toucan pattern wallpaper

Credit: Kim Cornelison

Learn how to clean a toilet andremove tough toilet stainswith these simple steps.

By the time you’re done wiping down these areas, the toilet bowl cleaner will have soaked in.

Step 1: Empty the Bowl and Add the Cleaner.Pour a bucket of water into the toilet bowl.

This will flush the toilet without triggering a bowl refill.

The lowered water level lets you put cleaner directly on the bowl for a deeper clean.

Step 2: Scrub and Flush.Scrub the bowl clean with a toilet brush, then flush.

The effervescent action will deliver a quick clean in minutesno brush required.

Use a brush to mix the solution around and scrub the sides and bottom.

Step 2: Scrub and Refill the Tank.Use a scrub brush to remove any leftover residue.

Turn the water valve back on and flush a few times to rinse and refill the tank.

Step 1: Empty Toilet and Add Vinegar.To remove toilet stains, start by emptying the bowl of water.

Add 1 cup of vinegar and let sit for one minute.

Choose a pumice stone with a handle to avoid having to come too close to the toilet.

Step 4: Prevent Future Stains.To prevent toilet stains from forming,use vodka to clean your toilet.

(A cheap bottle of vodka will work fine).

Pour 1/2 cup of vodka into your toilet bowl each month to keep rings from forming.

How Often Should You Clean Your Toilet?