Can A Pool Noodle Really Help Your Toilet Tablets Last Longer?

That vibrant, crystal clear bluish water after every flush? It just screams cleanliness and gives us that reassuring, sanitized feeling. This is exactly why in-tank toilet tablets are so popular. But if you've ever used them, you'll know how short-lived the feeling is, mainly because they dissolve so quickly. Since these tablets are submerged in the toilet tank, the solution lies in making them stay afloat. And guess what? Someone ingeniously achieved this using a pool noodle. It's a simple yet effective way to extend the life of your toilet tablets, ensuring that satisfying clean and fresh experience lasts longer.

The hack suggested by YouTuber Shake the Future involves using a pool noodle to keep the toilet tablet afloat. All you need to do is cut a pool noodle to make a mini floaty. Next, you need to enlarge the hole in the middle on one side just enough so that it snugly fits a toilet tablet. Cover the tablet with a sink strainer to make it last even longer. Secure this setup with cable ties and elastic bands. Then, place your DIY floating toilet tablet in the tank, strainer side down. This can extend your toilet tablet's lifespan by 40% to 50%!

There are numerous hacks out there, with varying degrees of effectiveness — so is this one a good idea? Well, for one, it doesn't displace water. This is compared to the hack that tells you to put a bottle of Fabuloso in your toilet, which will take up the space that would otherwise have been filled with an equivalent amount of water. A plumbing expert, Paul Abrams, tells Apartment Therapy, "The result is that less water will be available to rinse the toilet bowl with each flush hence a less powerful flush."

A potential drawback of this pool noodle hack is the reduced amount of cleaning agents released with each flush. However, a more significant concern isn't about the effectiveness of making a toilet tablet float but whether it's a good idea to use toilet tablets in the first place. Many plumbing professionals have cautioned that drop-in toilet tablets can damage the rubber and plastic components inside the toilet tank, which eventually causes water to leak, resulting in increased water bills. Additionally, these tablets can also cause blockages in the pipes leading to further plumbing complications and unwelcome expenses.

Instead, why not try other safer alternatives, like putting baking soda in your toilet? Not only can it remove stains and unclog pipes, but it's also safe and beneficial for the septic system!