Martha Stewart's Best Tips And Tricks To Clean A Dirty Toilet The Natural Way

Cleaning the bathroom is one of the most tedious parts of caring for the home. Washing every nook and cranny of the shower and diligently scrubbing water and toothpaste stains can be tiresome, time-consuming activities. Yet those things don't compare to properly sanitizing the toilet. The porcelain throne can absorb bad smells and form rings caused by bacteria, fungi, or mineral deposits (via Plumbertip).

The pungent odor and unsightly stains can make you want to cocktail your cleaning products in the bowl in hopes that they will disappear. However, it's best to avoid overusing cleansers with strong chemicals. According to the American Lung Association, many household cleaning items contain volatile organic compounds, which can aggravate the eyes and throat. They can also cause issues for people with asthma and other respiratory problems. Additionally, mixing these products together can create toxic fumes (via Kera News).

Cleaning products are powerful and easy to reach for, so it may be hard to let them go. Thankfully, renowned home expert Martha Stewart has cleaning tips that utilize items you most likely have in your kitchen.

In her book, "The Martha Manual: How to Do (Almost) Everything," Martha Stewart says that to clean a toilet properly, all you need is a half cup of vinegar (via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). Simply pour the vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it sit for a few minutes. If the odor is on the stronger side or the toilet has a hard-water ring inside, let it sit for about an hour. Afterward, you can scrub the bowl using a toilet brush and then flush.

Like magic, all lingering odors and stains are gone, thanks to the acetic acid in vinegar, which kills odor-causing bacteria and mildew (via Healthline). White distilled vinegar is clear and highly acidic, dissolving dirt and grease without staining items around the house. While white distilled vinegar is great for cleaning because of its clear nature, other forms of vinegar can still have the same deodorizing effects. Apple cider vinegar and red and white wine vinegar are excellent at neutralizing bacteria and smells around the house.

You should always have vinegar in your home, and not just for cleaning toilet bowls. Although the acidic liquid can have a strong smell, it can be used for everyday household needs. Rather than dropping money on a new carpet, you can use one cup of vinegar in a gallon of water to bring life back to an old, stained one. Vinegar helps to brighten and clean, making old fabrics look new again. For many households, it's an integral part of the laundry process, according to Martha Stewart. Soak ⅔ of distilled white vinegar in a gallon of water for 15 minutes before the wash cycle to brighten colors. You can also use it as a bleach alternative to keep white clothes from yellowing — simply add about ½ a cup to the washing machine during the first rinse cycle.

Vinegar can also be used to clean tech products. According to Reader's Digest, you can mix an equal amount of water and vinegar together, dip a washcloth into the mixture, wring it out, then gently wipe down your keyboards, phones, and other electronics. However, you'll want to ensure that your products are turned off before cleaning to avoid any damage.

Vinegar is an eco-friendly and toxic-free choice compared to most store-bought cleaning products, per the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Thus, it's a clear choice for many of your household needs.