How can I easily clean my toilet tank?

Sarah
by Sarah
  6 answers
  • Nan W. Nan W. on Jan 22, 2020

    Sarah: Bob Vila is an expert on all things "house!"


    https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-toilet-tank/

    • Sarah Sarah on Jan 23, 2020

      Awesome tips! I will be following Bob Villa's recommendations. Thank you!

  • Dee Dee on Jan 22, 2020

    • STEP 1
    • First, empty the tank. To do this, locate the water valve (the “tap” valve on the wall behind or near the base of the toilet) and shut it off. Then, lift the lid from the tank so that you can eyeball the water level inside and flush the toilet until it drains completely. Depending on your flow rate, this may require two or three flushes.
    • STEP 2
    • Assess the condition of your tank. If you’re only looking at surface grime and dirt, that’s a straightforward cleaning job that a bit of scrubbing should mitigate. Move on to Step 3.
    • If, however, you see a discoloration from mineral deposits and residue built up at the bottom of the tank and ascending the walls, opt for a more forceful method: vinegar. This all-natural all-star is a great line of defense against mold and mildew, hard water deposits, and more. You’ll need enough vinegar to fill the tank up to the overflow valve, which could mean as many as three gallons Pour in the vinegar and let it sit for 12 hours without flushing. When ready to get cleaning, flush the vinegar out. Again, this may take two or three flushes.
    • STEP 3
    • Wearing rubber gloves, spray the tank interior generously—along the walls and the bottom—with your preferred disinfectant cleaner. Do your best to direct the spray away from metal parts, in case there are corrosive additives that could react with metal. (Bleach, for instance, is very corrosive.)
    • Check the label for the dwell time recommended by the manufacturer. Generally, you’ll let the disinfectant sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
    • STEP 4
    • Grab a scrub brush! Some how-tos recommend using your go-to toilet brush for cleaning the inside of the toilet tank, but, considering the cleaning job they do on a regular basis, we recommend using a new scrub brush. (Then, you won’t accidentally introduce other contaminants from previous dirty jobs to the tank.) It should be a long, narrow scrub brush with medium-to-firm bristles and a shape that allows you to scour corners and the bottom of the tank.
    • After the wait time is up, scrub thoroughly—into corners, around fixtures, all over the bottom—to remove all grime and/or build-up. Apply additional cleaner as necessary.
    • STEP 5 (optional)
    • While you have the lid off, consider whether your toilet needs any maintenance. If your toilet has been operating less than optimally, now is a good time to replace any parts that might need replacing, like the flapper.
    • If your toilet has been functioning fine, though, carry on to Step 6.
    • STEP 6
    • Clean all the working parts in the tank. Instead of spraying them directly and dousing the metal parts with a cleaner that may or may not be corrosive, dilute it first. Simply soak a sponge with clean, warm water and spray some cleaner onto the sponge itself. Then, wipe down the ball float, flapper, and other toilet tank workings with the diluted disinfectant. Rinse and re-soak the sponge as needed.
    • STEP 7
    • Turn the water back on and let the tank fill. Flush it a couple times. Does the tank seem clean enough to you? If not, drain the tank once more as you did in Step 1 again, then repeat Steps 3 through 6 again.
    • When happy with how sparkling clean your toilet tank is, turn the valve back on, fill it, and then it’s business as usual!


    • Sarah Sarah on Jan 23, 2020

      Thanks so much, Dee! I will certainly put these tips to use!

  • Janice Janice on Jan 22, 2020

    Here's an article with instructions and pics.

    https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Toilet-Tank

    • Sarah Sarah on Jan 23, 2020

      Thanks so much, Janice! I will certainly put all these tips to use!

  • Cindy Cindy on Jan 23, 2020

    Hi Sarah. I'm Cindy. Drop a tablet of denture cleaner in your toilet tank. If one doesn't do the trick, try putting two in. So repeat if necessary. Good luck Sarah.

  • Sarah Sarah on Jan 23, 2020

    Thanks so much, Cindy! I will certainly put all these tips to use.