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Jul 29, 2023

The Common Medicine That'll Surprisingly Leave Your Toilet Squeaky Clean

Unexpected guests can inspire many different feelings, but one of which always seems to be panic, specifically about the state of one's home. Hurriedly cleaning your space is a challenge, and it's

Unexpected guests can inspire many different feelings, but one of which always seems to be panic, specifically about the state of one's home. Hurriedly cleaning your space is a challenge, and it's made increasingly difficult when you also lack the right cleaning products. Suddenly, you're aware of every speck of dirt in your home — especially in the bathroom and specifically the toilet. Thankfully, there's a common medicine cabinet staple you can use to achieve a squeaky clean toilet in no time and with minimal effort: Alka-Seltzer.

Alka-Seltzer is a combination of citric acid, aspirin, and sodium bicarbonate used to treat acid reflux, stomachaches, and general gastrointestinal discomfort. Shockingly, it's also an effective toilet cleaning agent because it works as a bubbling germ magnet. The germs in and on your toilet can carry several harmful viruses. Influenza, E. coli, streptococcus, norovirus, Staphylococcus aureus, and salmonella are a few of the most common viruses found in or around household toilets. Luckily, this easy hack not only delivers a sparkling clean commode but also sanitizes it as well.

Cleaning your toilet with Alka-Seltzer requires very little. You'll need Alka-Seltzer tablets and a toilet scrub brush. A timer is optional but may help if you're multitasking. Drop two to three tabs into the toilet bowl; bubbles should begin forming immediately. Leave the tabs to fizzle for about 25 minutes undisturbed. Stirring will disrupt the bubbles, which are key to lifting stains.

After the appropriate time has passed, dip the scrub brush in the water. Use the brush around the top portion of the bowl, and thoroughly scrub underneath the rim to descale or unclog any of the jets. Once you're done, flush the toilet. Use the time the bowl is empty to scrub the bottom and drain. Flush the toilet a second time to wash away any dislodged debris. The porcelain should be squeaky clean at this point and ready for those unexpected guests. Repeat this progress regularly to keep your toilet disinfected and sanitized.

The primary ingredient in Alka-Seltzer is citric acid, an organic chemical used in a variety of food and home products. Citric acid binds with other compounds or particles, such as iron, making it an effective cleaning agent and descaler. When you use Alka-Seltzer in your toilet bowl, the effervescent bubbles loosen stains, and the citric acid binds with them. Scrubbing and flushing finish the cleaning process by washing everything away. Concurrently, this makeshift cleaner works well on limescale and calcium buildup in showers, too. Consider applying it anywhere you have hard water.

You can also use Alka-Seltzer to clean other spots in your home. Simply add the tablets to warm water and stir lightly. Then pour the mixture into a spray bottle for an easy-to-use cleaner. Spray it on glass surfaces, tiles, and stovetops; the citric acid in it is considered safe for use around the home. Though it's not a miracle grease buster, an Alka-Seltzer solution is effective for use in between regular deep cleanings. So the next time you have to clean at a moment's notice, head to your medicine cabinet.