Let’s be honest: cleaning the toilet isn’t exactly everyone’s favorite hobby. Still, there’s nothing quite like a toilet that sparkles and smells fresh—especially in a busy household where the toilet gets used (and abused) regularly. As a mother, I’ve perfected my toilet-cleaning routine: quick, effective, and with products that really work (and preferably aren’t too harmful to the environment—or my nostrils!). In this blog, I’ll take you step by step through my toilet-cleaning ritual. Put those gloves on, turn on some nice music, and let’s make that porcelain throne shine like new!
Step 1: Preparation is half the battle
Before we get started, let’s get everything ready. What do you need? My essentials: rubber gloves (really, wear them—no one wants hands that smell like a toilet), a toilet brush, a few old cloths or microfiber cloths, and, of course, your preferred cleaning product. I also always prepare a bucket of warm soapy water with a splash of all-purpose cleaner for the outside of the toilet.
Tip: preferably use separate cleaning cloths or sponges for the toilet that you don’t use for other jobs. I turned an old Scrub Daddy sponge that had seen better days into a “toilet sponge.” It’s perfect for scrubbing, for example, the underside of the seat or the hinges, because it doesn’t scratch and I can throw it away afterward without shedding a tear. Safety first—and a good excuse to buy a new cheerful Scrub Daddy later, right?
Step 2: Choosing the right cleaning product
There are countless toilet cleaners on the market, and everyone has their favorite. You can go for the classic bleach toilet gel (we all know that chlorine smell). It kills bacteria in one go and makes the bowl look clean, but honestly, I find the smell of chlorine awful, and it’s not exactly environmentally friendly. Fortunately, there are alternatives. I like using a mild but effective toilet cleaner. One example is Asevi toilet gel with eucalyptus scent (or a similar product)—it cleans well and smells pleasantly fresh. But my absolute secret weapon against a dirty toilet is a trend product I discovered through social media: The Pink Stuff foaming toilet powder! Yes, you read that correctly: powder.
You pour this pink powder into the bowl, pink-colored foam appears (a little foam party in your toilet—the kids love watching it), and the foam loosens buildup and limescale. After a few minutes, the foam subsides and you can flush. The result: a cleaner bowl that also smells fruity and fresh. The best part is that it works without a harsh chlorine smell. Of course, you can also simply use cleaning vinegar and baking soda as a basic household alternative: pour a cup of vinegar into the bowl, add a scoop of baking soda, and it fizzes and cleans at the same time. It works fine, but doesn’t smell as nice. Choose whatever suits you!
Step 3: Scrubbing the inside of the toilet bowl
Now that the product has had time to work, it’s time for the real scrubbing. Take the toilet brush and scrub thoroughly along the sides of the bowl, especially underneath the rim. That rim is notorious; limescale and mineral deposits love to hide there. Do you have a rimless toilet? Lucky you—that makes cleaning much easier. If not, make sure to get the brush head well underneath the rim. If I see that there are still some limescale marks (that yellowish buildup—yuck), I sprinkle on some more baking soda and scrub firmly. The abrasive granules in the soda help remove the last remnants.
For the germ-conscious among us: if you really want to be sure that all bacteria have been killed, you can still sprinkle a splash of thin bleach along the rim at this point and leave it for a minute before flushing. I only do this if someone in the house has been ill; for daily or weekly cleaning, I find it overkill (and the smell—ugh). After scrubbing: flush with the brush still in the bowl so it gets rinsed off at the same time. Just watch out for splashing toilet water—which is why I was wearing those old clothes, remember?
Step 4: Cleaning the toilet seat and lid
The inside is clean, but a truly hygienic toilet also means cleaning the seat, lid, and all the other parts. No one wants to sit on a sticky toilet seat, right? I lift the seat and lid and spray them with a disinfecting all-purpose cleaner (I’m a fan of the scented Fabulosa spray with antibacterial properties—it doesn’t smell so chemical, at least). Let the spray sit for a moment, then wipe everything with a clean cloth. Don’t forget the hinges—dirt can easily accumulate there. Do you have stubborn stains or discoloration on the underside of the seat? A little Pink Stuff cream on a cloth can work wonders; gently scrub, and that yellowed haze will disappear.
Make sure you clean both the top and underside of the toilet seat, as well as the rim of the bowl where the seat rests. I know it’s not the most enjoyable chore, but think about how proud you’ll feel when everything sparkles. At my house, I give everyone a warning afterward: “This toilet is so clean it shines, so please sit down to pee—or clean it yourself!” I say with a laugh to the men in the house. Half joking, half serious 😉.
Step 5: Cleaning the outside and the surrounding floor
Now the inside looks spotless, but the outside of the bowl deserves attention too. Grab your bucket of soapy water (remember, with that splash of all-purpose cleaner or some mild cleaning product) and a cloth. Clean the entire outside of the toilet: the cistern (don’t forget the top and flush button), the outside of the bowl, and especially the base of the toilet and the floor around it. Drops can secretly end up here too (especially if someone stands to pee in your household). I often use a separate cloth with warm soapy water for this, then put the cloth straight into the wash afterward. If you have a tiled floor, run a mop over the floor tiles around the toilet for the finishing touch. I like adding a splash of Asevi eucalyptus floor cleaner to the mop water, or some Fabulosa concentrate—then the whole toilet smells wonderfully fresh and minty right away (and I associate that scent with cleanliness).
Also remember to wipe the baseboards or caulk lines behind the toilet. Dusty and damp—yuck, that can lead to mold or unpleasant smells. A broom or the narrow vacuum nozzle along the back can’t hurt before mopping. These are the kinds of details you only notice when they’re dirty, but once you clean them, you mainly notice: hmm, it smells lovely in here and everything looks fresh!
Step 6: Don’t forget to clean the toilet brush itself
A frequently forgotten culprit: the toilet brush holder! It can also develop an unpleasant smell if you never clean it. Honestly, I used to throw away a brush after a few months and buy a cheap new one. Not great from a sustainability perspective, so now I try to make mine last longer by keeping it clean. After cleaning the toilet, I always rinse the brush (as described, by holding it under the running toilet water while flushing). Then I often place the brush under the toilet seat for a moment so it can drip-dry, instead of putting it back in the holder while it’s still dripping.
Every so often, I pour some hot soapy water or a splash of thin bleach into the empty brush holder, let it sit for a while, and then rinse it out. Another great tip: sprinkle a little Bin Brite powder into the bottom of the brush holder. It was originally intended to prevent odors in your trash bin, but hey, why not use it in the bottom of the toilet brush holder? It keeps unpleasant smells away and absorbs excess moisture. Since I started using this trick, I can move my brush holder while mopping without fear, haha!
Step 7: Scent and long-lasting freshness
Your toilet is clean now, but of course you also want it to keep smelling fresh until the next cleaning session. There are toilet blocks for the bowl or scented sticks for the room—use whatever you prefer. I like placing a scented toilet stone in the small sink (one of those lemon-yellow blocks that slowly dissolves—wonderfully fresh and lemony). I also swear by regularly using a scented disinfecting spray on surfaces (such as Fabulosa). A quick spray after a busy day of toilet visits, wipe it down, and you’re done.
Another tip: in the evening before bed, pour a cup of cleaning vinegar into the bowl and don’t flush. Let it soak overnight. This helps prevent limescale and neutralizes odors. In the morning, you’ll flush automatically the first time you use the toilet, and you’ll have done a little maintenance without even noticing. Small habits like these help ensure that you don’t need a major clean again too soon.
Finally, for those who enjoy a touch of luxury: a room spray or scented candle (place it somewhere safe!) in the bathroom can do wonders for the overall experience. There are even special toilet perfumes that you spray into the bowl before use (yes, they really exist—sprays similar to “poopouri,” for example). Well, every little bit helps make the smallest room more pleasant, right?
Step 8: Hygienic finishing touch—wash cloths and textiles
You’re done! Put all used cloths and the sponge, if applicable, in the wash or throw them away. Don’t forget to wash your hands thoroughly too (even if you were wearing gloves). I also replace the hand towel hanging in the toilet with a clean one after every major cleaning session. And if you have a toilet mat, put it in the wash at 60°C. I wash it with a splash of Robijn detergent so the fabrics come out not only clean but wonderfully fresh-smelling too. There’s nothing quite like a spotless toilet with a freshly washed mat in front of it—that’s truly the icing on the cake.
There you go—give yourself a round of applause: your toilet is sparkling and smells like new again! By using these products and tips, you’re not only ensuring a hygienic toilet now, but also long-lasting freshness over the coming days. With a few smart habits (a quick daily check and a mini vinegar treatment once a week), it’s easy to keep on top of things. And if you’re short on time one day, you’ll know that a pink foam party or a quick spray can save the day. Cleaning the toilet will never be my favorite hobby, but honestly, a wonderfully fresh toilet does give you a pretty satisfying feeling. Good luck with your next cleaning session—you’ve got this!