Tackling the throne of your home

Growing up, questions about bodily functions were always met with detailed explanations using proper medical terminology, seeing as my parents were both in the medical field.

When it comes to cleaning, the same logic follows. I have friends who detest cleaning the toilet, but for me, it’s no different than vacuuming or dusting — as long as you have the proper tools, including the knowledge of how to do it right.

First, prep the materials. Get gloves that cover your hands and go past your wrist. If you have a water rim stain and a porcelain toilet, you’ll also need a pumice stone or scouring stick. Add in a toilet brush with nylon bristles, toilet bowl cleaner, disinfectant spray and paper towels. For the toilet bowl cleaner, you can make your own at home. Cola works well on its own, or you can make a mixture with baking soda and vinegar.

To start, remove stains. Dip the stone in water to moisten the tip and then rub it against the stain until it is gone. If you have a fiberglass toilet you are better off skipping the stone and using a brush, some elbow grease and toilet cleaner instead.

Next, pour the toilet bowl cleaner all around the rim and let it drip down. If you use the baking soda-vinegar formula, pour the baking soda in first, and then follow up with vinegar. Use your brush to scrub it in. Then, let it sit for at least 10 minutes.

While you wait, spray down the rest of the toilet with disinfectant spray and wipe with paper towels.

Scrub the inside of the bowl with your brush one more time, then flush. To keep things fresh between cleanings, brush the inside of the bowl every other day (without cleaner) and wipe down the seat and rim.

Have a comment or question for Joanne? Email thefixisinhawaii@gmail.com.