A clean toilet isn't just about a shiny bowl. Dirt and limescale tend to accumulate where they aren't visible during a quick clean: under the rim, in the flush holes, around the seat hinges, under the rubber stoppers, and inside the toilet brush holder. These areas can be a source of odors and recurring deposits.
In this guide, we'll show you how to clean your toilet in the correct order, what product to choose for each surface, and why acidic toilet cleaner should never come into contact with the toilet seat or metal hinges.
Summary in five points
- Start inside the bowl to give the toilet gel time to work while you clean other parts.
- Acidic cleaners are for sanitary ceramics and limescale, not for plastic toilet seats, metal hinges, or chrome.
- Proceed from cleaner areas to dirtier ones: flush button, lid, toilet seat, hinges, the outer part of the bowl, and finally the floor around the toilet.
- Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing. First, remove dirt, then disinfect if necessary.
- Never mix cleaning products, especially acidic toilet gels with chlorine disinfectant.
What to prepare before cleaning the toilet
Before you start, open a window or turn on the ventilation. Prepare:
- protective nitrile gloves,
- acidic gel for sanitary ceramics, such as S02 WC Revo Premium,
- all-purpose cleaner for washable surfaces, such as G01 Raj Extra Premium,
- two to three color-coded cloths,
- a small brush specifically for the toilet,
- a toilet brush,
- if necessary, D06 Desispray Plus for surfaces for subsequent disinfection.
Use dedicated cloths for the toilet that you do not transfer to the sink, kitchen, or other surfaces. Designate one for the toilet seat and upper parts, a second for the outer ceramic, and a third for the floor area.
1. How to properly clean the inside of the toilet bowl
First, flush. Then apply S02 WC Revo Premium under the entire rim of the bowl and directly onto visible deposits. This is an acidic gel designed for sanitary ceramics and limescale. Thanks to its gel consistency, it doesn't run off immediately, giving it more time to work on the surface.
According to the manufacturer's instructions, leave the product to act for approximately 5 minutes. Then thoroughly scrub the inside with a toilet brush, including the waste bend and the area near the water line, and flush. If stubborn deposits remain, it's better to repeat the procedure than to scrub the ceramic with a metal object.
Is your toilet connected to a septic tank or a domestic biological treatment plant? An alternative is E06 WC gel cleaner – ECO, which, according to the manufacturer, is also suitable for these systems and removes urine, calcium, and organic deposits.
2. Don't forget the area where the flush water comes out
Under the upper rim of the toilet, there is a flush channel and, in classic bowls, a series of smaller holes. Water flows through them with every flush. If the water is hard, it gradually creates a light, yellow, or rusty coating around the holes. Clogged holes can also worsen the distribution of the water flow in the bowl.
Proceed as follows:
- Apply toilet gel as high as possible under the rim to cover the channel and the area around the holes.
- Let it act according to the product label.
- Clean the crevices and individual holes with a narrow brush specifically for the toilet.
- Flush and check that the water flows evenly around the entire circumference.
- For a thicker layer of limescale, repeat the application.
Do not use a screwdriver, knife, or wire brush. You could scratch the glaze, which would then collect dirt more quickly. For a rimless toilet, clean the open flush channel and its outlet in the same way.
3. How to clean the toilet seat, lid, and hidden crevices
Acidic toilet gel does not belong on the toilet seat. The plastic may become dull or change color, and the product can also damage metal parts and the finish of the hinges.
For the toilet seat and lid, use a gentler solution of G01 Raj Extra Premium. For normal soiling, the manufacturer recommends 3 ml of product per 1 liter of water; for heavier soiling, the dose can be increased up to 15 ml per liter.
Clean in this order:
- top side of the closed lid,
- underside of the lid,
- top side of the toilet seat,
- underside of the toilet seat,
- rubber stoppers,
- area around the hinges and mounting screws.
Apply the product to a cloth, not directly to the hinge mechanism. For a soft-closing toilet seat, an excessive amount of water or cleaner can penetrate the damping mechanism. If the toilet seat has a quick-release system, remove it occasionally and clean the mounting bases as well. Always follow the toilet manufacturer's instructions.
Finally, wipe the surfaces with a cloth dampened with clean water and dry them. Dry hinges and crevices collect less dust and do not form a greasy film.
4. Flush button, cistern, outer bowl, and floor
For the exterior of the toilet, proceed from top to bottom. First, wipe the flush button and the top surface of the cistern, then the sides, the back of the toilet, and finally the area around the base.
For washable surfaces, use diluted G01 Raj Extra Premium again. Do not use acidic toilet gel on chrome buttons and metal hinges. After washing, wipe the surfaces dry to prevent water marks.
With a separate cloth, clean the floor around the toilet, the sides at the base, and the grout at the base. If odors persist even after thorough cleaning, check if dirt is accumulating around the mounting or if the toilet seal is damaged.
5. Is it necessary to disinfect the toilet every time?
For routine household cleaning, thorough removal of dirt with a cleaning agent is often sufficient. Disinfection makes more sense in case of illness in the household, after intestinal problems, or in facilities where many people use the toilet.
Disinfection should be carried out only on a clean surface. For small surfaces and objects, non-chlorine D06 Desispray Plus can be used, which is ready for direct use. Adhere to the application method and contact time indicated on the label; the surface must remain wet during the contact time. Always check the suitability of the product for the specific material before use.
Important: never apply disinfectant to a bowl with residual acidic toilet cleaner. First, thoroughly flush the bowl, rinse the tools, and use the individual products separately.
6. How to clean and disinfect the toilet brush
The toilet brush is paradoxically often overlooked during cleaning. If you place it wet and soiled directly into a closed holder after use, a mixture of water, organic impurities, and cleaning product residues will form in it.
The correct procedure is simple:
- After cleaning the bowl, first completely flush away the acidic toilet gel.
- Hold the brush head low in the bowl and rinse it with clean water during the next flush, minimizing splashing.
- For disinfection, after thorough rinsing, only the working part of the brush can be immersed in an undiluted solution of D06 Desispray Plus. The manufacturer states a minimum of 5 minutes for immersion disinfection of tools. However, always follow the product label and the material resistance of the brush.
- Rinse the brush with water and let it air dry. Do not immediately close the wet head in the holder.
- Empty the holder, wash it with an all-purpose cleaner, rinse, and dry thoroughly.
Replace the brush when the bristles are frayed, the head is cracked, or the odor persists even after cleaning. Damaged bristles are less effective at reaching under the rim and also splash more water. Replacement heads and complete brush sets can be found in the baskets and toilet brushes category.
Common mistakes when cleaning the toilet
One product for everything
Acidic gel is excellent for limescale in ceramic bowls, but it is not suitable for toilet seats, metal hinges, or chrome. Choose a product according to the material for each part of the toilet.
Mixing acidic cleaner with chlorine disinfectant
This is the most dangerous mistake. Acid and hypochlorite can release toxic chlorine. Therefore, never mix cleaning products or use them immediately after one another without thorough rinsing.
Too short contact time
If you immediately scrub and flush the toilet gel, the chemicals will not have time to break down the limescale. Observe the time indicated by the manufacturer; for WC Revo Premium, it is approximately 5 minutes.
The same cloth for the toilet and sink
Do not transfer a cloth from the toilet to other bathroom fixtures. Color coding and washing after each use will help.
Wet brush in an uncleaned holder
Rinse the brush after use, let it dry, and regularly clean its holder as well. Otherwise, the cleaning tool itself will become a source of odor.
How often should you clean the toilet?
In a typical household, wipe the toilet seat, flush button, and other frequently touched areas several times a week or as needed. Perform a complete cleaning of the bowl, the area under the rim, hinges, and exterior ceramic approximately once a week. In a household with hard water, check the flush holes more often to prevent a thick layer of limescale from forming.
Clean the toilet brush and holder at least with every thorough toilet cleaning. In shared facilities, the frequency naturally needs to be adjusted according to the number of users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do yellow or brown stains form under the rim of the toilet?
Most often, it is a mixture of limescale, minerals from the water, and organic impurities. Focus on the entire flush channel and holes, not just the visible part of the bowl.
Can I use toilet gel on the toilet seat?
No. Acidic toilet gel is intended for acid-resistant sanitary ceramics. For plastic toilet seats and hinges, use a gentler all-purpose cleaner.
Do I have to use disinfectant every time I clean?
In a typical household, usually not. The key is mechanical removal of dirt and regular washing. Add disinfection depending on the situation and always after cleaning the surface.
What to do if limescale does not disappear after the first cleaning?
Repeat the application of acidic gel and observe the recommended contact time. Do not use sharp metal tools and do not try to intensify the effect by mixing multiple products.
A clean toilet starts with the right order
The best result is not achieved by the strongest chemicals, but by the right product in the right place. Let the acidic gel work inside the ceramic bowl and under the rim, wash the toilet seat and hinges with a gentler all-purpose cleaner, and rinse the toilet brush after use, disinfect it if necessary, and let it dry.
Everything you need can be found in the bathroom and toilet cleaners category, among protective nitrile gloves, and in the baskets and toilet brushes section on Vygruntujeme.cz.
