How to Clean a Toilet Tank the Right Way

How to Clean a Toilet Tank With Disinfectant Spray

1. Locate the Water Valve

   You must empty the tank of water, which is simple if you use the water control valve to stop the water flow. Locate the valve, which is usually on the wall behind the tank or near the toilet's base. Turn it clockwise to shut off the water flow.

2. Empty the Tank

   Remove the lid from the tank and place it out the way. Flush the toilet until the tank drains completely. Depending on the reservoir size, it may take two or three flushes to empty the tank.

   Tip

   Since you will need to flush the toilet several times to empty the tank, give the bowl a good cleaning before you begin cleaning the tank. Don't let the water go to waste.

3. Assess the Tank

   If the tank is new or you live in an area with great water, you may only need to give the tank a good scrubbing with a disinfectant cleaner. However, if you see rusty discoloration in the bottom of the tank or a hard ring of minerals near the top, the tank will need a deeper cleaning with vinegar.

   Warning

   Do not clean the tank with full-strength chlorine bleach or fill the tank with chlorine bleach. Bleach can damage the inner components and dissolve some flapper valves. Also, if your toilet empties into a septic tank, bleach can kill the beneficial bacteria in the tank.

4. Clean With a Disinfectant Cleaner

   Spray the inside of the tank walls and floor with a disinfectant cleaner. A foaming bathroom cleaner works well and will cling to the surface. Avoid spraying the cleaner on any metal components that may rust. Allow the cleaner to work for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing it away with a long-handled scrub brush. Reach into corners and the bottom of the tank.

   Warning

   Do not use your toilet bowl brush to clean the inside of the tank. A toilet brush can have lingering bacteria on it.

   Use a dampened sponge and a bit of the disinfectant cleaner on the sponge to wipe all of the interior parts of the toilet: the ball float, flapper, handle chain or bar, refill tube, and any other components.

   Turn the water valve back on and allow the tank to refill. Flush a couple of times to get rid of the cleaner and loosened soil.

Deep Cleaning With Distilled White Vinegar

1. Clean Mineral Deposits From Tank

   To remove mineral deposits or mold, deep clean by using a wet pumice stone to dislodge the mineral buildup then wipe it away with water.
   

2. Clean With Distilled White Vinegar

   Fill the tank with at least 3 gallons of distilled white vinegar and allow it work for at least two hours. After the soaking period, empty the tank by flushing away the vinegar. Follow the same steps as with the disinfectant cleaner. Use a long-handled brush to scrub the loosened grime. Clean the working components with a sponge and a disinfectant bathroom cleaner. Turn on the water control valve and fill the tank with water to flush all the grime away.

Tips to Keep a Toilet Tank Clean Longer

To keep a toilet tank clean over time, some people like to add a cup or two of white distilled vinegar once a month to the toilet tank at night—topping it off to about an inch from the top rim, then flushing it in the morning.

Although some people swear by toilet tank drop-in tablets, they're not recommended in most cases. Many of those tablets contain bleach, which can eat away the metal interior parts of a toilet.

A tip for generally keeping your toilet in good working order: While the tank is empty of water, check all the toilet's functional components. If the toilet has not been flushing thoroughly, some parts may need to be replaced, most often the flapper.

Homemade Disinfecting Cleaner

You can buy a bathroom or all-purpose disinfectant cleaner to clean the inside of the toilet tank, or you can make a disinfecting solution using rubbing alcohol or white distilled vinegar.

For rubbing alcohol solution, use two parts rubbing alcohol to one part water. For a vinegar solution, mix half vinegar with half water. Add either to a spray bottle, label it, and use it for cleaning around the house or your other cleaning chores.

When to Call a Professional

If you have recurring toilet bowl mold, or the mold has spread to other parts of your bathroom, you should call a professional. In damp or humid places like bathrooms, mold can spread quickly if not treated. Treat a mold problem early to prevent further damage. You can potentially avoid calling a professional If you clean your toilet on a regular cleaning schedule, add more ventilation, or get a dehumidifier to mitigate mold growth.