Cleaning the toilet is often the most neglected chore in a household, as no one likes handling bleach or any other chemical products needed to sanitise the bathroom. However, it is important to deep clean the toilet once a week, as germs can quickly build up inside the bowl to create biofilms.
Biofilms are when different types of bacteria clump together to form a tough stain that will stick firmly to a surface, harbour harmful viruses and cannot be removed with most cleaners. Bleach can struggle to remove biofilms as it only kills surface microorganisms, and cannot easily penetrate the out layer of the stain. Instead, Ahmed Mezil, a cleaning expert from Hella Maid, has shared there is a better way to disinfect your toilet and break down bacteria without all the harsh fumes, as you just need to use hydrogen peroxide.
He said: “Hydrogen peroxide, a mild antiseptic with oxidising properties, serves as a potent cleaning agent. It’s a colourless liquid composed of water and oxygen that effectively breaks down organic stains and eliminates germs and bacteria.”
Hydrogen peroxide is more effective at removing biofilms, as it can penetrate deeper into a surface to kill the microorganisms that bleach cannot reach.
When hydrogen peroxide is used, it will release oxygen bubbles, which help dissolve the biofilm layer and loosen it, so the stain becomes much easier to clean off a toilet without having to scrub it for ages.
What is also fantastic about hydrogen peroxide is that it is much safer to handle, will not damage the porcelain and is an eco-friendly product as it simply breaks down into oxygen and water after use.
How to clean a toilet with hydrogen peroxide
You will need a 3% hydrogen peroxide, which can be bought at most pharmacies or in the cleaning aisle of a supermarket.
All you need to do is pour around 240ml of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet bowl, and let it sit unflushed for roughly 20 minutes.
This gives the peroxide bubbles time to break the biofilm apart, which will expose the bacteria and germs to kill them.
When the time is up, simply use the toilet brush to remove the stains, and they will be gone without much effort.
Flush the toilet, and it should now be completely disinfected. Use hydrogen peroxide on your toilet once a week to maintain a much cleaner and fresher toilet.
