Cleaning Hacks That Can Harm Your Toilet

At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we specialize in toilet repair and toilet replacement, so we are familiar with the practices that can damage your toilet. Let’s walk you through some of the cleaning hacks that can damage your toilet and the safe alternatives you can opt for.

• Coca-Cola for Stains

Some people swear by using Coca-Cola to remove stubborn rust stains in the toilet bowl. You’ve probably seen videos on social media in which people are dumping a two-liter bottle in the toilet to get rid of stains. We do not recommend this alleged hack because Coca-Cola is not an effective toilet cleaner. No matter how many liters of soda you dump in your toilet, it won’t get the job done. Secondly, the sugar content can promote the growth of bacteria in the long run. Our skilled plumbers recommend making a paste of baking soda and water to create a mild abrasive for scrubbing away stains. 

• Scrubbing with Abrasive Materials

Some people resort to using abrasive materials like scrub brushes, scouring pads, or steel wool to remove stubborn stains in the toilet bowl. While these abrasive materials may seem like they’re getting the job done at first, they actually do more harm than good. They create tiny crevices on the porcelain surface, which make future toilet cleaning even harder. The safer alternative is to use a soft toilet brush designed for cleaning toilets. These brushes will get the job done without scratching the porcelain.

• Using Drano and Any Other Chemical Drain Cleaning Chemical Solutions

Drano has been marketed as a quick fix for toilet clogs over the years. You’ll be surprised by the number of homeowners using this product for drain cleaning. In fact, Drano has become a household name, and you’ll find it in almost every supermarket in the U.S. The truth is, using Drano for toilet cleaning does more harm than good. Not only does it cause pipe corrosion, but it can also be harmful to septic systems. If you have a minor toilet clog, we suggest using a toilet plunger or a drain snake to clear the clog. Another DIY method you can try is a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar. If simple DIY techniques won’t clear the clog, call a nearby plumbing repair service for professional drain cleaning.

• The TikTok Fabuloso Hack

If you were active on TikTok two years ago, you might have come across a trend where people put Fabuloso in the toilet tank to self-clean the toilet with each flush. Fabuloso is an all-purpose cleaner that’s formulated to remove dirt and grime from hard surfaces. While this product can be effective in cleaning other types of hard surfaces, it’s recommended for toilet cleaning. It contains chemicals that can damage the rubber seals and gaskets in the toilet, causing leaks. We recommend you rely on a reputable plumbing service for toilet drain cleaning.

Need Toilet Repair or Toilet Replacement? Get In Touch with Mr. Rooter Plumbing

If your toilet is acting up and you’re looking for a trusted plumbing service that offers quick toilet repair, reach out to Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Our plumbers have the skills and advanced equipment to diagnose the problem and fix it. We also offer reliable and cost-effective toilet replacement services. Contact us today and let’s know what your needs are, and we’ll be glad to provide you with a solution.