Toilet bowls are made of vitreous china, a very hard and acid-resistant material. Commercial toilet bowl cleaners contain very strong acids which remove hard water and iron deposits, clean and disinfect. They are too strong to be used on other surfaces. They are also highly toxic so use carefully, following product label directions, and NEVER mix any other products with the bowl cleaner! Never use products designed for drains as they will eat into the pipes.

Chlorine bleach may be used alone, never combined with bowl cleaner or any other product. Add 1/4 cup to the toilet bowl, let stand few minutes, brush around edge of bowl and flush. This whitens and disinfects.

This article was written by Anne Field, Extension Specialist, Emeritus.



MSU 2003