This may sound like a drastic step, but turning your water back on is a piece of cake. All you have to do is reach back down and turn the valve counterclockwise, and you’ll have a working toilet again.
If you don’t want to add soap, you don’t have to. Vinegar and baking soda are great cleaners on their own! The dish soap will just help break down tough stains and mildewed spots. To combat odor, try adding 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Tea tree oil and citrus oil are great for the bathroom, since they tackle tough smells. [5] X Research source
Do not use a metal object to scrub, it might scratch the tank. [9] X Expert Source Amy MikhaielHouse Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 3 February 2019.
Unfortunately, this means you won’t be able to use your toilet for the time being. Make sure you and your family have somewhere else to go if you use this method.
Citric acid is the powdered form of citrus, and you can find it at most supermarkets and grocery stores.
Toilet tank tablets slowly dissolve in your toilet tank, disinfecting and cleaning the water over time. Save the rest of your toilet tank tablets in an airtight container so they don’t dry out.
If you’ve never cleaned your toilet tank before, that’s okay—it’s better late than never!
While it might sound like a good idea at first, you should never mix vinegar with bleach. This combination creates chlorine gas, which is dangerous (and can even be deadly) to breathe in. [21] X Research source
