The Unexpected Product You Can Use To Clean Your Toilet

Bathrooms are dirty spaces, and it's essential to keep them sparkling clean to prevent the spread of bacteria. According to a study by the National Science Foundation, 27% of households tested had yeast and mold on their toilet seats, and normal wear and tear, like watermarks, can leave you with unsightly lines in the bowl. It may be tempting to reach for the nearest heavy-duty cleaner, but if you're cleaning your toilet weekly like recommended, that can expose you to many potent fumes and abrasive products. Luckily, there's an unexpected, healthier solution.

Denture cleaning tablets contain a lot of the same chemicals as household cleaners, like sodium hypochlorite, baking soda, citric acid, and sodium perborate. Despite the intimidating scientific names, they're designed to provide gentle, non-toxic disinfection for dentures and can provide a safe and effective way to clean your toilet. They also come in convenient, solid tabs, which help to simplify your cleaning routine and save space in your cabinets.

Denture tablets' primary purpose is removing stains and killing bacteria, so they contain mild bleaching agents and baking soda to alkalize the water that the teeth are placed in. Alkaline water makes it more difficult for bacteria to survive. The baking soda bubbles act as a mild abrasive to help lift any grime from the dentures without causing any damage.

Interestingly enough, that's also the purpose of most toilet cleaners. Typical cleaners contain bleach, hydrochloric acid, and a blue tint to help neutralize any yellowing on the porcelain. While these work, they're incredibly powerful ingredients that can cause poisoning if ingested, via MedlinePlus and present dangers if you accidentally mix products. Combining bleach with ammonia, another common cleaner results in chloramine gas. According to the Washington State Department of Health, this substance is toxic and can cause breathing difficulties, nausea, throat irritation, and pneumonia if inhaled.

Denture cleaners can come in gel, paste, cream, and tablet form, but solid options are the easiest to use to clean, via GSK. The process is simple — drop a few into the toilet bowl and wait for the fizz of the baking soda. Once it calms down, scrub with your toilet brush as you usually would. Flush the water, and voila, a sparking toilet bowl that doesn't leave you lightheaded from all the chemicals.

These little tablets can also be used for other stubborn cleaning jobs, like removing buildup from shower heads, lifting stains on mugs, and restoring tomato-tinted Tupperware to its former glory. Their gentle abrasive and bleaching qualities are the right fit for quite a few jobs, but be sure to exercise caution, so you don't accidentally bleach fabrics. Once you're done, store the tablets under your sink, and you're prepared to make your cleaning routine much easier and safer.