“Most people forget about the toilet tank until the stains, or smells show up to the party,” says Ryan Knoll, owner of Tidy Casa. “By then, it’s already a mess.”
That’s because over time, germs, mold, and minerals from hard water build up in there. Those can also corrode the metal parts and muck up the flaps, causing a weak flush, broken parts, leaks and bad odors.
“Also, let’s say you clean your toilet bowl today but haven’t cleaned your tank in a while, all that bacteria built up in the tank will also go down into the toilet bowl causing stains and smells,” says Constantin Geambasu, owner of Water Rehab.
Luckily it only takes a couple of minutes to get the job done, especially if you do it regularly. Here’s how to clean your toilet tank.
How Often Should You Clean Your Toilet Tank?
The bowl itself requires a pretty regular, thorough cleaning, for obvious reasons. But you don’t need to clean the tank quite as often. It’s best to clean the tank twice a year. Add it to your spring cleaning checklist, and do it again in the fall. Cleaning the tank regularly is just one more step for maintaining your toilet; it will help keep rust and corrosion from building up on the internal parts, extending the life of your toilet.
It’ll also mean one less odor you have to worry about in your bathroom.
What Do You Need to Clean a Toilet Tank?
- Rubber gloves;
- A scrub brush with a long handle;
- A sponge;
- Disinfectant;
- White vinegar (optional).