The Genius Paper Towel Hack You Need For A Sparkling Clean Toilet Bowl

Despite your toilet's ability to flush everything away, it can sometimes let you down, especially if you neglect its care. Unfortunately, over time, your toilet can look like a chemistry experiment gone wrong with brown hard water rings, rusty stains from aging pipes, or even moldy black speckles. If you squint, you might even be able to spot a light green algae tint or a fluorescent pink mark left by airborne bacteria. Gross. Whatever the culprit, these stains make your bathroom feel anything but fresh (especially if they're paired with a smelly toilet). 

Thankfully, a DIY paper towel vinegar wrap might solve your problem. In fact, this overlooked pantry staple might just become your secret weapon for a cleaner toilet.

Why? Because vinegar is a powerful, all-natural cleaner that can dissolve minerals and kill bacteria, but it is gentle enough to be used in lieu of abrasive cleaners. This is why vinegar cleaning hacks are everywhere. By using vinegar-soaked paper towels, the natural acetic acid does most of the work, loosening mineral and bacterial buildup so you can wipe them away with relative ease. Just remember that while vinegar is a safe, eco-friendly cleaner, you should never mix it with bleach or commercial cleaning products, as this can create dangerous fumes. 

For the paper towel vinegar wrap, soak a few sheets of paper towels in distilled white vinegar and lay them along the stained area of the bowl, pressing them to adhere to the surface. Allow them to sit for 30 minutes or so, which will enable the vinegar to penetrate the surface. Then, remove them, throw them in the trash, and scrub the surface clean. Never flush these paper towels.

So what makes this trick work better than other methods? Well, you've probably seen the stains left in your toilet and wondered how they've escaped your trusty scrub brush. Hard water can build up a crust on the inside of the toilet, and for those light mineral rings that can form over time, vinegar can be your hero. It softens the mineral buildup and dissolves it without you having to put too much muscle into that brush. Vinegar is a great alternative because it is not abrasive and will not dull the finish of your bowl. 

Truthfully, all your toilet really needs is regular maintenance. A quick once-a-week refresh can usually keep those science experiment aesthetics at bay.