The tank part of the toilet often gets overlooked and should be cleaned at least twice a year.

Why Use Baking Soda in Your Toilet Tank?

Baking sodais a natural product that helps neutralize bacteria that cause odors and stains.

removing the tank lid

​The Spruce / Ana Cadena

The powder is a gentle abrasive to help loosen stuck-on grime without damaging surfaces.

It also deodorizes by transforming acidic and basic odor molecules into a more neutral, odor-free state.

Baking soda will absorb odors, break down stains, and dislodge fungal growth with its abrasive power.

preparing to clean a toilet tank

​The Spruce / Ana Cadena

A toilet bowl without constant use has standing water, which makes fungal or bacterial growth easier.

Add 1 cup of baking soda to start a bubbling chemical reaction.

Make your own with baking soda and vinegar.

baking soda and vinegar

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Add 1/4 cup of baking soda and 2 cups of distilled white vinegar to the bowl.

The solution will fizz.

When the fizzing stopswait at least 15 minutesscrub the bowl with a toilet brush, and flush.

Toilet bowl being filled with water from cup held in hand

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Add 1 cup of baking soda to the toilet bowl, and pour 1 gallon of hot water.

Allow it to sit for 30 minutes.

If you notice the water level has decreased or drained somewhat, the clog has dislodged.

It’s OK to flush the toilet.

If the water line remains the same, tryanother method, like plunging, to wipe the clog.

Tip

For better results, add 1/2 cup of grease-fightingdishwashing liquidto the mix.

Dish soap is denser than water and should sink.

Give it time to work; it should loosen and slip past the obstruction.

It can also help maintain a good pH in water.

Vinegar and baking soda neutralize odors and leave a toilet with a fresh scent.

Baking soda can cause a toilet clog if too much baking soda is used.

Never use more than 1/4 cup of baking soda in the toilet bowl.

Refrain from using more than one cup in the tank.

Home cleaning chemicals.Utah State University Extension.