9 Things You Didn't Know Could Fix a Toilet

BrightNest
by BrightNest
Coca-Cola. Vinegar. Boiling water. No, this isn’t the ingredient list for the craziest cake ever – it’s your toilet repair toolkit!
Hear us out. For major plumbing problems – like, “flooded bathroom-level” problems – it’s best to call a professional plumber. But, if your toilet troubles are minor, a common household item will probably do the trick.
Here are nine easy fixes for a finicky toilet:
1. Remove stains with Coca-Cola.
Get rid of stubborn toilet bowl stains with a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola. Pour the full can around the rim of your toilet so it coats the toilet bowl and let the soda sit for an hour. The acid in the Coca-Cola will break down the stains. After an hour, scrub the bowl with a toilet brush and flush. To see what else you can clean with Coke, read: Clean Your House with Coca-Cola Classic.
2. Clear a clog with boiling water.
To fix a clogged toilet with little-to-no fanfare, fill up a medium saucepan with water and bring it to a boil on the stovetop. Carefully take the pot with the boiling water to the bathroom and pour the water directly into the toilet bowl. This will help dissolve...whatever’s clogging the pipes.
3. Remove mineral deposits with vinegar.Mineral deposits from hard water aren’t dangerous, but they sure are ugly! To get rid of these unsightly beasts, simply soak toilet paper in white vinegar and then set the wet paper directly on top of the hard water stain. Let the vinegar-soaked toilet paper sit over night. The next morning, just flush – your hard water stains will be gone.
4. Stop condensation with bubble wrap.To prevent condensation on your toilet tank, line the inside of the tank with a layer of bubble wrap – it keeps the outside of the tank from getting too cold. To add bubble wrap, shut off the water valve underneath the tank and flush the toilet. The water will drain out of the tank, making it easier to secure the bubble wrap.
5. Remove rust with a pumice stone.If there’s rust on your porcelain throne, scrub the ring with a pumice stone in light, even strokes. Note: Keep both the pumice stone and the toilet wet – otherwise, you may scratch the porcelain.
6. Disinfect with hydrogen peroxide.To kick bacteria to the curb, all you need is a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. Disinfect your toilet by pouring ½ a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet bowl. Let it sit for half an hour, and then flush. It’s that easy! Tip:You can use a combination of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar as a general disinfectant.
7. Prevent rusty screws with nail polish.To keep the screws holding the toilet seat in place from rusting, paint them with clear nail polish. Just make sure they dry before you sit down! Bonus: The nail polish will also help prevent the seat from wobbling, because the screws will be less likely to loosen.
8. Reduce water use with a soda bottle.Fill an empty 1-liter soda bottle with water and place it inside the toilet tank. Having the bottle inside of the tank will cut down on the water used with each flush, which can save you cash on your water bill. For more water conservation tips, read: Conserve Water Like a Pro.
9. Polish porcelain with baby oil.Okay, so this isn't exactly a maintenance fix, but a dirty toilet can still be a problem! Simply apply a few drops of baby oil onto a clean, soft cloth. Buff the exterior of the toilet tank and toilet bowl until the porcelain looks dry and shiny.
For more great cleaning tips: http://bit.ly/174z5XU
BrightNest
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • Rikke Rikke on Jun 29, 2015
    I live in Norway and we don't have Dawn soap, someone who knows simular product I can use?
  • Wanda sinnema Wanda sinnema on Dec 17, 2015
    I have used DENTURE TABLETS,,, 4-5 each time, I always buy the cheapest.. they sanitize..Flush, drop in the tablets,, dissolve, then brush let set while you clean the rest of the bathroom, brush once a gain if you missed any spots.. and flush.. Smells nice and clean and fresh too
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