Tips&TricksGarlic's secret power. The natural overnight toilet cleaner

Garlic's secret power. The natural overnight toilet cleaner

The toilet is the most contaminated place in the house.
The toilet is the most contaminated place in the house.
Images source: © Adobe Stock | Christian Horz

4:34 PM EDT, April 28, 2024

The toilet is the most contaminated piece of equipment in our homes. After each use, its surface becomes a breeding ground for millions of dangerous bacteria. Wondering how to maintain hygiene effectively? Toss a few pieces of this natural product into the toilet before bed and let it refresh overnight.

Cleaning the toilet should be a priority in household chores due to the constant multiplication of bacteria in the bowl. A significant number poses a serious health hazard, so it’s advised that the toilet be cleaned daily.

While you can opt for commercial cleaning products, there’s a growing trend towards using homemade cleaning solutions. But there exists an even simpler method, once favored by our grandmothers. The chances are you already have this product at home. Drop it into the toilet right before you go to sleep.

Daily toilet cleaning calls for natural agents

The toilet bowl was the most contaminated place in the house, so its microbiological occupants were scrutinized. Researchers found that Salmonella and E. coli can lead to serious health issues upon infection.

So, how does one effectively cleanse the toilet of bacteria? Commercially available gels or liquids are an option. Many contain chlorine, which is effective at killing bacteria and whitening surfaces. However, the downside to chlorine is its strong smell and environmental unfriendliness.

An increasing number of people are turning to homemade cleaning solutions. These alternatives are cost-effective and simple to make. Still, they also harness the power of ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, or citric acid — known for their disinfecting, whitening, and cleaning properties. Using these ingredients, you can make a homemade toilet cleaner or directly toss them into the bowl, preferably overnight, to combat bacteria, limescale, and unsightly stains.

Use this in your toilet to banish impurities

Since ancient times, garlic has been acclaimed for its myriad health benefits and its role as a natural antibiotic. This is largely due to allicin, a compound in garlic known for its bactericidal properties. Though it may seem odd, garlic can effectively disinfect the toilet.

This method, once popular with our grandmothers, involves simply tossing a few cloves of garlic into the toilet before bed and leaving them overnight. In the morning, flushing the toilet releases the allicin from the garlic, disinfects the bowl, and eliminates bacteria. It's an uncomplicated, efficient, and green approach to cleaning your toilet.

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