The frequency with which household toilets should be cleaned has long been a subject of debate online, with opinions varying widely. Cleaning experts, however, have offered guidance, suggesting that a thorough cleaning once a week is generally adequate for most homes.
Delia Cannings, a cleaning expert from the British Cleaning Council, stated that for a family of approximately five people, a weekly deep clean is sufficient, with spot cleaning as needed in between. She noted that a proper weekly clean should take around 10 minutes.
Online discussions, particularly on platforms like Reddit, show a common practice of cleaning once a week, sometimes with an additional quick clean before guests arrive. Some users reported cleaning only when visible discoloration appears, which could be as infrequent as every three weeks.
Periodic Deep Cleaning
Beyond the regular weekly clean, experts recommend a more intensive periodic cleaning. This deeper clean involves dismantling the toilet seat to clean components such as hinges, brackets, and the connection holes. Such a periodic clean is estimated to take about 15 minutes.
Hygiene When Illness Strikes
Primrose Freestone, a microbiologist at Leicester University, emphasized that toilet cleaning routines should be more rigorous if someone in the household is ill. In such cases, she advised cleaning the toilet and surrounding bathroom areas after each use, due to the potential for aerosolized particles to spread over a meter when the toilet is flushed. For normal use, a weekly disinfection of the seat, bowl, and handles, along with a scrub of the pot, is considered sufficient.
Recommended Cleaning Process and Products
Cannings outlined a recommended cleaning process and the necessary supplies. Essential items include a toilet brush, toilet cleaner, rubber gloves, cloths, an old toothbrush, and a bucket. She also suggested a color-coded system for cleaning tools to prevent cross-contamination.
The recommended cleaning method involves three steps: Flush, Push, and Brush. First, flush the toilet with the lid down to minimize the spread of "toilet plume," which can contaminate other surfaces. Next, use the toilet brush to push water back into the bowl, exposing the waterline. Apply toilet cleaner to this area and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Finally, scrub the inside of the bowl with the brush and flush again.
