The main reason why your toilet still smells bad even after a thorough cleaning is because we often focus on the obvious parts and ignore the other complicated components. A toilet has more components than just the bowl and cistern. To thoroughly clean your toilet, you need to familiarize yourself with all the parts.
One of the least cleaned toilet components is the siphon. This U-shaped sharp drop, commonly known as a P-trap, creates a gravity barrier that prevents unwanted odors and gases from rising back up through the pipes.
To clean your P-trap, first disconnect it from the pipe and then manually pull out anything visible. Wet it with a flexible wire brush and push it through the pipe to remove anything that may be stuck inside. Clean the tube until there is no more residue sticking to the brush and reconnect it.
Nelson Katende, a plumber, reveals that if not cleaned properly, the tank can absorb the smell of the sewage and emit it even if the toilet bowl is clean.
To clean your tank and eliminate the smell, remove the lid of your toilet tank and place it on the floor in a safe place, preferably on a towel as it is fragile.
Pour a generous amount of white vinegar into the tank and let it sit for 12 hours. After the 12 hours are up, flush the toilet a few times to get the solution down the drain. Turn off the faucet and allow the water to drain from the tank.
Apply a cleaning solution to the inside of the tank and use the brush to remove any dirt, mold, or mineral deposits. Make sure the solution you use is suitable for toilet cisterns, plastic and metal to prevent chemicals from affecting plumbing.
Once the tank is clean, turn the water valve back on and flush the toilet a few times. Now you can put the tank back on and continue cleaning the surface.
Unless there is an emergency, you do not need to clean the inside of the tank more than twice a year. However, if you want to be extra safe, you can do this every two months.
Another toilet component that can cause a bad smell if not cleaned properly is the drain. Sometimes the drain becomes slightly clogged even with normal flushing. Even the smallest clog can cause your toilet to give off an unpleasant odor. To clean your drain, use a drain snake to unclog it, which will eliminate the foul smells from the drain.
When cleaning the toilet bowl, it is important to work from the inside out as there is a risk of water getting from the inside out, so you don't have to go back and clean the toilet twice.
First, pour your solution into the toilet bowl and allow it to soak for at least 10 minutes. Use a generous amount and apply some to the entire bowl, including under the rim.
Use a bristle toilet brush and start scrubbing the interior. This is the best method to remove toilet stains. Therefore, be sure to continue scrubbing until the dirt or debris is removed. Even if you don't see any stains, just spend enough time scrubbing the interior. When you feel like you've done a good job scrubbing, flush the toilet a few times to get the solution down the drain.
Cleaning experts recommend deep cleaning your toilet every two weeks to eliminate germs, bacteria and other pathogens that would increase the risk of illness, thereby promoting better overall hygiene.
Additionally, thoroughly cleaning a toilet helps eliminate the buildup of stains, dirt, mineral deposits, and grime. This is key to eliminating unpleasant odors as it will keep your bathroom smelling fresh and maintain the appearance of the toilet bowl, fixtures and other components, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for repairs or replacements.
It also helps prevent clogs and plumbing problems by removing dirt and debris from the toilet bowl and drain pipes.
Wilson Mugabi, a plumbing solutions dealer, says that when choosing materials to deep clean a toilet, you should choose and use products that are safe for the type of toilet material you have at home, such as porcelain or ceramic. Materials for deep cleaning a toilet include a cleaning solution, a bristle brush, and a disinfectant, among others.
Nelson Katende, a plumber, points out that some toilet components, such as wax sealing, require professional maintenance.
A wax seal is a ring under the toilet that holds it in place and blocks foul-smelling sewer gases from below.
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