Your bathroom is a sacred place. The perfect retreat to unwind and relax in after a long week, day or afternoon. It doesn’t matter if you’re a ‘soak in the tub for an hour’ type of person, lighting a few candles along the way, or you’re singing in the shower for a quick karaoke session before work. It’s important that we look after ourselves, and in turn, our bathrooms.
Cleaning your bathroom can feel like a chore or a ritual - depending on how much you enjoy putting on a pair of marigolds. If you’re like us, there’s no such thing as too clean and you’ll search high and low for ways to get your bathroom gleaming.
There are multiple areas in a bathroom that require a lot of attention, but one area in particular is the toilet. It may not come as a shock, but 3.2 million bacteria per square inch are found in your toilet bowl. So if you’re looking for a nice relaxing retreat, your toilet should be the first stop.
What you can clean your toilet with
While there are plenty of toilet cleaners out there, if like us, you care about the environment, you’ll want ones that are eco-friendly. Ditch the harsh chemicals from a bottle, forget the toilet gels, bombs and sprays that leave your eyes watering and head for our favourite cleaning ingredient. Citric acid.
Often hailed as one of the most diverse natural cleaning agents, citric acid is the perfect addition for cleaning your toilet. Its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, de-greasing and whitening power has been used by thousands of people across the globe. But just in case you’re not familiar with it, we’re going to show you how to clean your toilet with citric acid.
How to use citric acid
Citric acid often comes in a white powder form. While you can dilute it in some warm water we recommend for your first toilet deep clean, you leave it as a powder. As a natural cleaning agent, it doesn’t come with superhero powers but it’s certainly better than the option that leaves waterways covered in chemicals.
It’s important to note that citric acid, while it derives from fruits such as lemons, can be harsh on your skin. So be sure to wear gloves while cleaning with it in order to protect yourself.
Method 1: The bottom of the bowl
Step 1 - Prepare
Especially if you’re new to using citric acid, it’s important to prepare by having all the ingredients you need. You’ll need a bucket and a kettle. The first step is to pour a bucket of warm water down the toilet. The heat will loosen the limescale nasties sitting at the bottom of the bowl.
Step 2 - Time to fizz
Once the hot water has cooled slightly, it’s time to pour the citric acid in. It will sit at the bottom of the bowl and remove the rest of the stains. You can grab a toilet brush and scrub away for the last pieces remaining or repeat the process. If you find that there are bits you cannot remove, you might need to pour more than one bucket down there.
Method 2: Prepare today for a solution tomorrow
Step 1 - Prepare
Get your marigolds on, grab a quarter cup of citric acid, one cup of baking soda, one tablespoon of washing up liquid, a silicone ice tray and an airtight container.
Step 2 - The method
Mix your baking soda and citric acid in a large bowl. Add the washing up liquid and mix until the solution has fully combined.
Step 3 - The wait
Pop the mixture into the silicone tray and allow them to set for four hours. Preferably overnight.
Step 4 - The clean
When the cubes have set, simply pour them into the toilet bowl. They will start to fizz, allowing you to grab your toilet brush and start scrubbing. By setting the cubes you will have plenty of time to scrub as the fizz continues for a minute or two rather than an instant eruption that leaves you using excessive ingredients.
Method 3: Zero prep, minimum effort
Step 1 - The only step
This one is a super simple and easy cleaning solution. Sprinkle the citric acid and get scrubbing. It’ll mix with the water ever so slightly in the bowl and create a paste. Leave it on for a couple of hours and flush. Job done!
As we mentioned earlier, these deep clean methods are great for the first initial use of citric acid. However, this final method can be continually used to keep on top of matters. Dilute the citric acid in a glass bottle, label it, and keep it out of the reach of children. Perfect for a quick toilet scrub for any last-minute cleans. Plus all your guests will be astounded at the gleam in your toilet bowl. You’ll know what we mean when you’ve tested it!
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