Why didn't I think of this sooner? (cleaning toilet)

[Arianwen1174]

I've known for decades that vinegar + baking soda = fizzy wonder and great cleaning capability, so why didn't I think of using it in the toilet until today? If you haven't tried it, it's great. I poured a cup or two of vinegar into the toilet, threw a couple handfuls of baking soda in and watched it fizz away. Swish with the toilet brush (more fizzing), flush, and voila! Our toilet gets pretty icky sometimes because we let the yellow mellow and don't clean the toilet often enough. The vinegar and baking soda bubbler was fantastic! Yay for natural cleaning!

[Satori]

We have the same issue, how long do you let it soak?

[Arianwen1174]

I didn't let it soak long at all because I was in a hurry. That made it even more fantastic!

[earthnut]

Glad it worked for you! I've tried soda and vinegar; didn't work at all for me. Hydrogen peroxide worked somewhat. A pumice stone worked great against a very stubborn ring and metal marks, but required elbow grease.

I still use a smidgen of chlorine bleach as a regular treatment. I hate the smell, but nothing else has compared for getting the bowl clean. (except for the pumice stone)

[ParisApril]

Originally Posted by Satori

We have the same issue, how long do you let it soak?

I let mine soak the time it takes to clean the sink and the mirror; so about 5 min.

It works great!

[sunshineafterrain]

I used the baking soda and vinegar on a slow drain before- I figured I had nothing to lose if it did not work~~~ but it did!!

[jjawm]

I'll use baking soda and Dr. Bronner's. Works great, too.

[laohaire]

I know BS and vinegar fizz when mixed, but does the mixture actually have any special cleaning properties?

I thought it was actually the opposite - that the special cleaning properties of BS and vinegar are cancelled out when you mixed them (and thus neutralize them, which is what the fizzing is all about).

[earthnut]

It's the fizzing that's supposed to do the cleaning, not the soda or vinegar, because as you say, chemically they cancel each other out. It's supposed to have a physical cleaning action, not a chemical one.

[_ktg_]

Tried this method this weekend and loved it! DS#1 is now using the big potty so I have lots of toliet to clean given his creative interpretation of what is the potty (i.e. the sides of the toliet, the lid, the back of the seat...!)

Even DH was impressed with the fizzing

[Arianwen1174]

I never knew they cancel each other out, learned something new! All I know is that it seemed to make it easier to clean the bowl. I'd have to use a pumice stone or something to get the ring where the water comes up to, though. But the ring doesn't bother me. I suppose physically, the ring could catch germs, now that I think about it, anyone think?