5 Helpful Tips for Troublesome Toilets
Nobody wants to deal with a blocked toilet, and the idea of having to clean one isn't the nicest thing to think about. Yet it has to be done.
There are so many issues that can pop up because of a troublesome toilet, and if you don't keep on top of it, then it could lead to bigger, messier problems down the line.
Luckily, we've picked up some useful plumbing tricks over the last 40+ years to help you get through the awful task of fixing your toilet.
1. How to speed up your toilet's flush flow
A lot of people don't like spending more time in the bathroom than they have to. If your toilet is flushing like a turtle, then it could mean that the rinse holes (which are located beneath the rim) are clogged.
There's an easy way to clean the holes of mineral deposits. Simply open up a wire coat hanger and find a small mirror. Next, position the mirror to see if the holes appear blocked. If so, a gentle prodding with the hanger tip can help open them back up.
2. How to get rid of toilet water ring stains
Rings look great on our fingers and even on our toes, but in our toilets? No, thank you!
Toilet ring stains make even the cleanest of toilets look dirty.
To get rid of toilet rings, without the use of harsh chemicals, all you need is lemon and some coarse salt.
- Cut your lemon in half
- Pour some of your coarse salt on top of the lemon (the inside, not the rind)
- Scour the inside of your toilet bowl with your new creation
- Follow it up with a regular sponge afterward
This method will help you get rid of any toilet rings and keep your bowl looking sparkly and clean (without spending too much money).
3. No plunger? No problem!
Everybody has fears and phobias that keep them up late at night, but the thought of getting a clog in your toilet and having no plunger ready is enough to give most people the sweats.
If you ever get stuck without a plunger, before you have a small breakdown and rush to the store, here are a couple of tricks you can try first.
- Open your toilet's tank and close off the flapper to drain the water from the bowl
- Turn off the toilet's water supply to be on the safe side
- Fill up a container with hot, not boiling, water and pour it into the bowl
- This should hopefully get the clog moving
If this method doesn't work for you, try squirting some liquid soap into the bowl. Let it sit for a short time in the water, and it should help break things up/lubricate the culprit sol you can successfully flush it away.
4. Using Kool-Aid to clean your toilet
That's right folks, Kool-Aid really isn't just a tasty drink it's also pretty awesome at fixing your toilet-related troubles.
With Kool-Aid, you can help get rid of any hard water stains in your toilet. Just sprinkle a packet of the drink around the inside of your toilet bowl and leave it for about an hour. Then get to scrubbing with your toilet brush, and your hard water stains will be gone in no time at all.
5. Using Kool-Aid to detect a toilet leak
Another way you can use Kool-Aid to solve your toilet issues is by taking a packet of darker-colored Kool-Aid to help uncover a leak in your tank.
Just pour the granules of the packet into the tank of your toilet and leave them for about half an hour or so. The dark color of the Kool-Aid will dye the toilet water. If the color has changed when you return, then you know your tank has a leak.
Don’t Forget to Clean Your Toilet Brush!
Toilets get dirty, it's just a thing that's going to happen, but imagine how dirty your toilet brush is after it's cleaned your toilet! Remember the next time you clean your toilet bowl that you might want to give your toilet brush a good clean too.
To do this:
- Squirt bleach inside your toilet bowl
- Allow your brush to soak in the bowl for about an hour
- Then let it air dry by resting it under your toilet seat with the head facing towards the bowl.
Your brush is guaranteed to be a lot less grimy after a good clean – which means your toilet will be cleaner next time you give it a brush!