It may not be your favorite chore, but cleaning your bathroom with a recommended bathroom cleaner minimizes the spread of germs and keeps the space smelling fresh and pleasant. Your cleaning routine may not include your toilet tank, but sanitizing this often-forgotten spot helps maintain your toilet’s longevity and functionality. Fortunately, cleaning your toilet tank doesn’t take much effort. In this guide, we’ll explain how to clean a toilet tank by using a simple technique with common household cleaners—and when it might be time to call a plumber.
Why Cleaning Your Toilet Tank Matters
Cleaning your toilet tank regularly helps prevent the buildup of grime, minerals, and rust that could damage the system’s components over time. Maintaining a clean toilet tank can also extend your toilet’s life and ensure optimal flushing performance. Additionally, it reduces the risk of bacteria and mold, which is the cause of foul odors and potential health hazards.
Pro Tip: Richard Trethewey, plumbing expert, points out a common issue with toilet tanks: “It doesn’t take much of that rust to come up through here and clog a cartridge like this.” Regular cleaning prevents rust particles from damaging internal components.
Tools and Materials Needed for Cleaning Your Toilet Tank
To make the process smoother, gather all your supplies and tools before you start to clean your toilet tank. You’ll need the following supplies:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Plastic-bristle scrub brush
- Rubber gloves
- White vinegar—up to 3 gallons, depending on tank size
In addition to those essentials, you may want to consider also using the items listed below:
- Bucket for draining water
- Old towels for wiping spills
- Plumbing wrench for stubborn valves
How Often Should You Clean Your Toilet Tank?
We recommend cleaning your toilet tank twice per year to remove any grime and prevent the accumulation of mildew and bacteria. Sanitizing it frequently will also eliminate any mineral buildup. However, if you have hard water or you still notice persistent odors, consider cleaning it more often.
When performing your twice-yearly cleaning, don’t forget to check the mechanical components. Lift the tank lid and ensure the chain is securely fastened to the lever and flapper. If you notice low water pressure when flushing, use a wire clothes hanger to unclog any buildup from the holes around the bowl’s interior rim.
Preparing Your Toilet Tank for Cleaning
Take the two steps below to prepare your toilet tank for a deep clean:
- Turn off the water supply: The water valve is near the toilet’s base. Turn it clockwise so that your water supply is off and the tank won’t refill while you’re cleaning it.
- Drain the tank: Flush the toilet to drain most of the water from the tank. Soak up the remaining water with a sponge or towel.
For stubborn water at the bottom of the tank, Richard Trethewey suggests two effective methods:
Pro Tip: “What I use is a turkey baster. We’ll sort of pull it up this way and dump it. But that’s another way. A wet vac just pulls that water right out.”
Using Vinegar as a Natural Toilet Cleaner
Vinegar is a natural cleaning solution for toilet tanks. It’s cheap and eco-friendly. Vinegar is also safe to use in most plumbing systems, and it dissolves mineral deposits, kills bacteria, and neutralizes offensive odors.
Pro Tip: When using vinegar for toilet cleaning, consider combining it with baking soda for extra cleaning power. As This Old House experts recommend for drains: sprinkle in 4 tablespoons of baking soda and follow with 2 cups white vinegar. Once the bubbling stops, flush thoroughly.
Step-By-Step Vinegar Cleaning Method
We’ve outlined the steps to cleaning a toilet tank with white vinegar below. You may need to repeat this process a few times or keep the vinegar in the tank longer if you have stubborn stains.
- Put on your gloves and remove the toilet tank’s cover.
- Pour white vinegar into the empty tank, filling it to about an inch below the rim.
- Let the vinegar sit for 12 hours.
- Scrub the tank’s interior with a plastic bristle brush.
- Turn the water valve counterclockwise.
- Flush the toilet several times to rinse out the vinegar.
Pro Tip: Before adding vinegar to your tank, ensure you’ve turned off the water supply at the shut-off valve and flushed the toilet to empty as much water as possible. This allows the vinegar to work at full strength on mineral deposits and stains.
Alternative Bathroom Cleaning Methods
While vinegar is highly effective, you can also use the following methods to clean your tank:
- Baking soda and vinegar combination: Combine one part vinegar with two parts vinegar for an extra cleaning boost. Sprinkle baking soda inside the empty tank and add the vinegar, which will result in a fizzy reaction to lift stubborn stains.
- Commercial cleaning products: You can find many commercial toilet tank cleaners in stores and online. Use one that’s safe for both plastic and metal components and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Tackling Tough Stains and Mineral Deposits
Rust stains and hard water mineral deposits can be persistent issues, but you can remove them by using more intensive cleaning methods, including:
- Hard water buildup: Scrub the affected areas with a pumice stone, but be careful not to damage the porcelain. Always keep the stone and surface wet while you’re cleaning it.
- Rust stains: Create a paste using equal parts vinegar and baking soda. Apply the paste to the stains or other stubborn marks, such as when needing to remove sticker residue, and let it sit for an hour before scrubbing.
Cleaning Toilet Tank Components
Your toilet tank has different components that can also use a thorough cleaning. Remember to give the valves listed below a deep clean too:
- Fill valve: The fill valve controls water flow into the tank. Clean it carefully, ensuring no debris interferes with its operation. If you notice any issues, it may be time to replace this part.
- Flush valve: Your flush valve releases water into the bowl. You can clean it with a sponge or soft brush while checking it for any signs of wear or damage.
Preventing Future Buildup in Your Toilet Tank
Stains, mineral deposits, and other buildup can be difficult to remove. However, there are measures you can take to reduce the frequency and intensity of future cleanings.
Water Softening Solutions
Consider installing a water softener if you have hard water. This can significantly reduce mineral buildup in your toilet tank and throughout your plumbing system.
Pro Tip: According to Doug, a water quality expert featured on This Old House, “Water is known as universal solvent, meaning that it picks up something of everything it comes in contact with along the way.” This explains why hard water is particularly problematic for toilet tanks, where minerals have time to settle and accumulate.
Regular Maintenance Tips
Implement a routine cleaning schedule, and use toilet tank tablets to prevent bacteria and other contaminants from forming. Choose non-toxic, bleach-free tablets to avoid damaging tank components.
Troubleshooting Common Toilet Tank Issues
While cleaning your tank, you might encounter some common issues:
- Leaks: Check for cracks or loose connections if you’ve discovered a leak
- Running toilet: You may have a problem with the flush or fill valve if your toilet won’t stop running
- Strange noises: These may signal problems with the fill valve or water pressure
- Weak flush: If you notice your flushing is weak or ineffective, it might be due to mineral buildup or a partially clogged rim
Pro Tip: Richard Trethewey, This Old House plumbing expert, explains the most common cause of running toilets: “The most common by far, first place I would look is down inside the tank. You lift that tank lever and now the flap is supposed to drop properly and sometimes it doesn’t. And so now, just imagine it being a little bit askew now that water is gonna keep on running, that means it’ll never shut off this fill valve.”
When To Call a Plumber
You can resolve many toilet tank issues on your own if you have some do-it-yourself (DIY) experience, but some things are better left to the experts. Call a plumber if you encounter the following problems:
- Cracks in the tank
- Complex valve problems
- Persistent leaks
- Sewage odors that persist after cleaning
Our Conclusion
Cleaning your toilet tank is a simple yet crucial task for maintaining a hygienic bathroom. Follow the steps outlined in this guide and use common tools and cleaners, such as vinegar and a scrubbing brush, to clean your toilet tank effectively. Cleaning your tank at least twice per year extends the life of your toilet and prevents costly repairs.
