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It’s hard to find a more versatile cleaning agent than baking soda. It not only freshens clothes and cleans toilets, stoves, sinks and drains, but it also cleans teeth and gets rid of smelly shoes.
In recent years, eco-friendly baking soda has also emerged as the preferred solution for toilet tank cleaning, setting a new benchmark for bathroom cleanliness. I chatted with Alexander Sieve of Amherst Plumbing and Heating, Justin Carpenter of Modern Maids and Roger Wakefield of The Trades Academy for their professional advice on what happens when you put baking soda in the toilet tank.
About the Experts
- Modern Maids is a nationwide home cleaning service founded in 2017 and led by CEO Justin Carpenter.
- With over 40 years of experience, Roger Wakefield of Roger Wakefield, LLC is a master plumber. In addition, he is the host of the Trade Talks podcast and the founder of Trades Academy. On YouTube, he is referred to as “The Expert Plumber” and frequently produces videos for his more than one million subscribers.
- In Amherst, Massachusetts, Amherst Heating and Plumbing is owned by Alexander Sieve. He has over ten years of plumbing experience and is licensed as a Massachusetts Master Plumber.
Why Put Baking Soda in the Toilet Tank?
A toilet tank can get smelly inside even though the top prevents most dust and dirt from getting inside. Rust, minerals, and mildew can accumulate and stain over time. These deposits have the potential to enter the flushing system and accelerate their decomposition.
As each flush refills the tank, whatever is in the toilet tank ends up in the bowl. If it’s organic matter, like mold or mildew, it can grow when exposed to light and make cleaning the bowl difficult. Deposits and buildup have the potential to smell, and no one wants that in their bathroom.
All of these problems can be successfully solved with baking soda, saving you money on other cleaning supplies. According to Wakefield, “Adding baking soda to your toilet tank can help eliminate odors from your toilet.” According to Carpenter, it can help stop mineral deposits and calculus.
What Does Pouring Baking Soda In Your Toilet Tank Do?
Item one two. After adding it, there will be no immediate fizz, but the acidity of the water will naturally decrease and any odor will be removed.
According to Wakefield, “Baking soda neutralizes acids; in fact, it balances the pH in your toilet tank.” All of these can extend the life of the toilet’s internal components.
Is It Safe to Put Vinegar and Baking Soda in a Toilet?
The carpenter replies, “Yes, in general.” Sive agrees, provided it stays there briefly. “Most owner’s manuals advise only flushing the toilet tank,” he claims. This is fine as long as the baking soda and vinegar are only used for cleaning and then rinsed off.
The cleaning properties of baking soda are enhanced when combined with vinegar. According to Carpenter, “This creates a fissile reaction that can help break up stains and mineral deposits.”
To do this, close the supply valve to empty the tank and flush the toilet. Add one cup of baking soda and two cups of white distilled vinegar. After letting it work for about ten minutes, clean the tank with a long-handled scrub brush. After activating the supply valve, let the toilet refill. Flush the tank with water, vinegar, and baking soda after 30 minutes.
What Else Can I Put In My Toilet Tank To Keep It Clean?
“You can use items made specifically for this use, such as in-tank cleaning tablets or solutions,” Carpenter explains. Using vinegar for regular maintenance also works well.
In-tank cleaning tablets
In-tank cleaning tablets, which are usually about the size of a hockey puck, are inserted into the toilet tank and slowly decompose over several weeks. But sometimes they are not advised, especially if they involve bleach. According to Sive, bleach can eventually wear down plastic parts and gaskets in toilet tanks, so it shouldn’t be left there all the time.
For optimal results, look for tablets that do not contain bleach, such as Bowl Fresh Bleach Alternative Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner.
Vinegar
Additionally, you can maintain a clean toilet tank by adding white distilled vinegar once a month.
Fill the tank with a cup, let it sit overnight and flush the next morning. Vinegar doesn’t stay in the toilet, so corrosion shouldn’t be a problem.
Toilet tank cleaner
Instant Power Toilet Tank Cleaner, which is based on citric acid, gets rid of mineral build-up and hard water stains without damaging the inner workings of the tank or pipes.
Pour this stuff into the toilet tank, allow it to sit overnight, then flush, just like you would with vinegar. No scrubbing required.
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