The toilet is for obvious reasons a place where bacteria and germs require the highest level of control. In the first instance, the design of toilets lends itself to creating a system designed to carry waste away using only water pressure which also serves as the primary means of cleaning the surface below the sitting area.
Other than this, toilets are created with being cleaned in mind and the typical ceramic material is resilient against many types of strong cleaning agent including bleach, which can be used regularly.
Aside from the design, how should we best clean the parts of the toilet that are contact surfaces with our skin? For the most part, the toilet is shared amongst members of the household and of course, guests which means particular care should be taken to regularly clean the toilet seat both on top and underneath, as this area isn’t immune to splashes from the water pool.
Which Chemicals Should be Used to Clean a Toilet Seat?
The toilet seat isn’t typically made from the same tough material that makes up the bowl and materials such as wood and plastic are more common. Normal bathroom cleaning agents should be fine for this but bear in mind that the material of the toilet seat may be plastic but the connectors used to hold the seat on the toilet may be another material again to consider. If these toilet seat connections are eroded over time due to the use of an inappropriate cleaning agent, the outcome could be dangerous if somebody were to find the seat slipping away from the bowl. This would be particularly concerning if the person using the toilet had limited mobility.
With any new toilet, check which materials are being used for all components and find a cleaning product that suits all.
How Often Should I Clean my Toilet Seat?
This must be decided based on how many people are sharing the toilet and lifestyle routines. During the week when most people will be away from home at work or school, the toilet should be cleaned frequently based on a visual inspection and a check that the toilet is odour free.
Every time a toilet is used, bacteria have the opportunity to begin spreading and this should never be allowed to build up past more than a few days. Not every clean needs to be a full clean but in every case, a healthy toilet is one where bacteria control is in check and the shared use risk is minimised.
What Should I Use to Clean the Toilet?
Start with a chemical cleaning solution chosen for compatibility with the materials that make up your toilet and simply spray this according to the instructions provided. Then use a cloth or sponge dedicated to only cleaning the toilet and ensure the cleaning solution makes contact with all of the surface area to ensure bacteria and viruses are killed.
Wipe until the area is visually clean and odour free. Repeat as required.
After cleaning the toilet, ensure the cleaning apparatus itself is cleaned thoroughly and stored safely. It’s wise to use toilet cleaning products solely for cleaning the toilets to avoid cross-contamination.