Do Powder Or Liquid Cleaners Work Better For Toilets?

Cleaning the toilet is no fun and often is the least favorite chore around the house. It's understandable to want to know what type of cleaner works best — that way you can get the job done fast. But, with all the different types of cleaners out there, how do you tell the difference? Whether powder or liquid cleaner works better depends on the kind of toilet and the types of stains it has. We'll go over the pros and cons of each so you can make the best decision.

As a rule of thumb, liquid cleaners are better for getting in tight corners, but powders work best on tough stains. Still, it depends on what your toilet is made out of since certain cleaners should not be used on some materials. You might use liquid cleaners on most jobs, but decide to use a powder and a liquid combination once a month. Additionally, the outside of the toilet might be cleaned with a different product than the one you use on the bowl. Let's flush out the details. 

One of the best things about cleaning powders is that they're usually cheaper than liquid cleaners, and let's face it: These days, we can all use tips on saving money. On top of that, it's great on tough stains, including rust and water deposits, due to its inherent abrasive scrubbing power. You can make a paste and adjust the amount of scrubbing power according to what you have to clean. You can also combine a mild spray cleaner with a powder for the toughest stains.

The main drawback of powder cleaners is that some surfaces are sensitive to them. For example, you should use caution on materials like glass, marble, and granite, which can easily scratch. Fortunately, most powder cleaners that are specifically designed for cleaning toilets are formulated so that they don't scratch them. Lastly, it can be difficult to remove the residue after using a powder cleaner.

The thing about liquid cleaners is that there are a few different types which fall into the category, including creams, foams, and gels. Mostly, it's a matter of personal preference as to which one is best, but certainly some are stronger than others. Spray cleaners like Windex are probably the first kind you think of, and they're terrific for everyday cleaning of many surfaces and hard-to-reach places. You can use foams, creams, or gels to clean vertical surfaces because they stick better and sometimes have stronger cleaning power.

However, if you use any of these, you'll need to be extra careful not to leave it on too long, or they could stain some surfaces. Also, certain creams that are allowed to dry might be difficult to remove. Always pay attention to the concentration of active cleaning ingredients in the product to avoid purchasing too strong of a solution that will damage your toilet.