How to clean the toilet tank

Cleaning the bathroom hardly ever tops the list of favorite household chores. Although this important room in the home is meant to be an oasis of hygiene that keeps cleanliness top of mind, it’s often a space that attracts dust, dirt and grime more quickly than other areas of the home. When it comes to cleaning strategies, even the most well-intention bathroom scrub-downs can be ineffective when left with an ignored toilet tank.

It’s easy to forget this important feature of a bathroom as it's far less noticeable than the toilet bowl, sink or shower. Just because it’s hidden away doesn’t make it any less important to a bathroom’s overall cleanliness. In fact, a covered toilet tank is highly susceptible to moisture and mold accumulation, which can lead to lingering unpleasant odors over time. If neglected long term, this may even cause a toilet to malfunction. To keep toilet tanks clean and improve their aroma and efficiency, follow these simple steps that make cleaning quick, easy and effective.
 
1. White vinegar rinse
If it’s been some time since the toilet tank has been cleaned or if it’s never been cleaned, the first step in deep cleaning is to deal with the mineral deposits that have most likely left the tank interior visibly discolored. After removing the lid, turn off the toilet’s water valve and flush until the water has drained out completely. This leaves the tank empty and easy to access.

Fill the tank with enough white vinegar to reach the overflow valve and re-cover with the lid. Let the vinegar to sit overnight. In the morning, flush the toilet a couple of times to drain the vinegar. Much of the colored residue and buildup will disappear down the drain.  2. Toilet brush scrub
Although all-purpose cleaning spray proves rather ineffective at removing significant dirt and grime buildup on metal features of the tank’s interior, it works very well on the tank's walls and floor. Scrubbing the inside of the tank works best when it’s done after a white vinegar rinse has removed the top layer of mineral grime.

To transform tank walls back to their original, pristine white hue, generously spray all-purpose cleaner on the bottom and sides of the tank and scrub with a new toilet brush.3. Pumice stone reinforcement
In the event a white vinegar rinse and all-purpose scrub still haven’t removed stubborn mineral lines or rings, a pumice stone should do the trick. Although they initially seem too rough to clean without damaging the tank surface, a saturated pumice stone proves both gentle and effective at removing lingering stains. Pumice stones manufactured specifically for cleaning can be purchased with handles attached for easier reach.

Simply soak the pumice stone in water for about one minute before scrubbing the walls and bottom of the tank. If the pumice stone doesn’t have a handle, wear gloves to protect skin from coming in contact with the moving mechanisms and leftover grime in the tank. 4. Disinfect moving parts with chlorine bleach
The moving mechanism within the toilet tank often collects the majority of mineral deposits. At first glance, it also seems to be the most difficult feature to clean because of the many small corners and crevices. Luckily, a little chlorine bleach and a toothbrush will make the task simple.

Spray or pour the bleach directly on the moving parts and use a toothbrush to scrub into the corners and along the metal arms. Not only does the bleach clean away tough-to-remove grime, but it also disinfects the longer it sits. For a deep clean, let the bleach sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing anything. Once this step is complete, turn the water valve back on and flush the toilet several times to first fill and then drain out any remaining chemical residue.  5. Add a bleach tablet
Before the tank can officially be considered clean, it’s best to think ahead and take some preventative measures that will make tackling the tank easier next time. Carefully place a bleach tablet in the water once the tank is full being sure to keep it away from the main drain. These tablets generally last up to two months at a time and work to continuously sanitize the tank while improving odor and keeping mineral deposits to a minimum.6. Scrub the underside of the tank lid
It may be separate from the main tank, but the toilet lid contributes just as significantly to the tank’s overall cleanliness factor. Turning over the lid is all it takes to see that moisture and minerals effect this piece of porcelain.

Before replacing the lid on a freshly cleaned tank, scrub it down with a sponge and a disinfectant spray. If a sponge is too large to reach the buildup around the rim, a toothbrush works just as well for reaching difficult corners. When the lid is sufficiently scrubbed and sanitized, wipe it dry with a paper towel or cloth and return it to the top of the tank.