In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked at some of the most notable examples of toilet-cleaning “hacks” that some claim are effective, but in reality are not – and may even create more issues than they solve. While it’s true that there are certain such hacks that might actually make a difference in a positive way, some people unfortunately become confused about which of these are legitimate and which are not.
At Green Line Plumbing, Heating & Air, we’re here to offer numerous plumbing services for clients around Draper, UT – including help with all your toilet cleaning or repair needs. Today’s part two of our series will look at a few other claimed “hacks” for toilet cleaning that don’t actually work, and in fact might create further problems.
Baking Soda and Vinegar for Grime or Caked Soap
In this case, we can at least understand where the error comes from: It’s true that for certain kinds of cleaning, combining baking soda and vinegar can be effective. However, when it comes to cleaning off the kinds of grime or caked soap that are often found around toilets, this isn’t a good idea.
In fact, it could end up actually making the problem worse, as the combination of these substances creates an acidic environment that can eat away at certain kinds of toilet fixtures. For this reason, we always recommend against this particular hack and urge our clients to use products specifically designed for toilet cleaning and upkeep instead.
Bleach for Everything
Another oft-touted cleaning “hack” is to simply use bleach on everything. This might work in some cases, but it can also end up creating problems if used too frequently. Bleach is a potent corrosive and using it to clean toilets or toilet fixtures too often will eventually lead to deterioration of those surfaces.
We recommend only using bleach in very specific instances when other products don’t quite do the job – such as when dealing with certain types of bacteria that won’t respond to other cleaning agents.
Combining Chemicals
Finally, some people assume that if they simply combine two powerful chemicals, such as bleach and vinegar, the result will be an even more potent cleaner – but this could not be further from the truth. Mixing these kinds of chemicals together can often create a reaction that is much worse than if they were used separately. In some cases, it could even lead to a hazardous release of toxic fumes or other substances.
Rather, the best way to proceed with cleaning toilets and their fixtures is to use products specifically designed for that purpose.
At Green Line Heating & Air, we’re here to help our Draper clients with all their plumbing needs. From professional advice on toilet cleaning and repair, to more involved services such as installing water heaters or performing drain cleanings – we’re here to help! Contact us today.