Problem-Solving Toilet Hacks Are Weird, But They Work
We all have our least favorite chores, which we often go to outrageous lengths to avoid. (Did anyone else barter their unwanted chores with their siblings when they were younger? My siblings were shrewd traders, but they were usually willing to swap for a price.) In my case, the one chore that I will always opt out of if given the chance is cleaning the toilet. While I appreciate our toilets very much, I just prefer to keep my interactions with them to a minimum.
With all that being said, I have still managed to collect quite a few toilet-related tips and tricks over the years. Because as much as I try to avoid dealing with the toilet, I’ll do it if it means being able to share a helpful tip with you guys. (That’s how much you all mean to me!) During my experiments and research, I’ve ended up putting a lot of weird stuff in, on, and around my toilets—all in the name of finding the best toilet hacks! Today I’ll be sharing some of those strange-but-true toilet tips that I’ve come across over the years. I think you’ll be surprised at how many totally weird ways there are to clean, fix, and maintain your toilet! 🙂
Coca-Cola
While it isn’t great for your teeth, a can of cola can be great for cleaning your toilet! The carbonation and acids in the soda can dissolve rings, buildup, and stains in your toilet bowl. Just pour a can of coal around the rim of your toilet so that it soaks the whole bowl. Let it sit for a few hours to work its magic, then scrub with a toilet brush to scrub away the stains!
Pumice Stone
If you’ve never used a pumice stone in your toilet, give it a try! The abrasive stone makes a great tool for scrubbing away rings and stains. Make sure to dampen both the pumice stone and toilet bowl itself before scrubbing to help prevent scratches. Scrub stains gently with the wet pumice stone, then flush to rinse.
White Vinegar
Many people reach for bleach to clean their toilets and eliminate germs. But you can use plain old white vinegar in the same way, and you won’t have to worry about harsh fumes! To eliminate stains, soak a paper towel with vinegar and place it on the stained area. Allow the vinegar-soaked towel to remain there overnight. In the morning, remove the towel and give the area a quick scrub to remove the mess. (This also works great when used on the gunk that builds up under the rim of your toilet bowl!)
Wax Free Toilet Seal
Features
A strong and flexible to sustain a positive seal
Ideal for wall carriers and floor mounts
Accommodates floors raised above the toilet flange by up to 3/4″
Maintains a gas tight seal even when minor movement occurs
Fast, easy installation for a long-term solution
Specifications
Conforms to ASTM A 1045
No need for flange risers or stacked wax rings
Ideal for in-floor radiant heat installations
Impervious to mold and mildew
Centers itself and the toilet to the drain
Toilet can be removed and re-installed with the same seal attached
Made of flexible PVC
Accessories
PSF-100 – Spanner Flage eliminates the need to replace broken closet flanges, saving time and money. Simply place the flange under the broken area of the ring and tighten the nut.
When to Repair vs. Replace Your Toilet
When to Repair
Toilets are meant to last you a long time, and with proper care and maintenance they will. If you notice a problem, investigate what the cause is. Then call a professional who can handle all your plumbing repair needs.
When Your Toilet Is Running
A running toilet is when water from the tank is continuously running into the bowl. This can become extremely annoying both because it is inconvenient and because it makes noise.
The Toilet Won’t Flush
This is the last thing you want to happen, and when it does happen, you immediately begin to panic wondering what the cause is. It could be:
A clog
Not enough water in the tank
A faulty flapper
A broken lift chain
The Water Level Is Low
Whether in the tank or in the bowl, your water levels should remain consistent. If you notice lower than normal levels, check the tank shut off valve to make sure it was not accidentally closed.
Toilet Issues Happen
Eventually you’ll experience one of these toilet issues, or a different one altogether. We have some advice on how to troubleshoot problems so that you can fix the problem or call a professional.
Buying a Toilet Bowl: Things You Really Need to Know
Yes, we know that the WC isn’t exactly the most glamourous bathroom fitting, but it’s hard to deny its importance. Just imagine not having access to one when nature calls and… ahem, you get the idea.
Putting that (nasty) thought aside, getting the right toilet for your home can be a daunting task, so here’s a nifty guide that summarises the four most important details you should think about before making a trip to the sanitaryware store
Installation/trap type
When it comes to modern-day toilets, there are two main types that you can take your pick from: floor-mounted and wall-hung.
And while choosing between the two may seem like a matter of preference, which model you end up with mostly depends on the trap – a specialised drainage outlet/piping system which handles waste and prevents smelly gases from escaping – that your bathroom has.
Now then, how do you tell which type of trap your bathroom has? Typically, if the drainage outlet is connected to the floor, it’s an S-trap, which works in conjunction with floor-mounted toilets. Otherwise, if it’s located on a wall, it’s a P-trap that’ll allow you to install a wall-hung toilet.
Heroic Tips for Using Southeast Asia’s ‘Bum Guns’
If you’ve been travelling for any length of time, you’ll know that there are some things that are done differently on foreign shores. Take bathrooms for examples – most of us are adept at using the humble sit-down toilet back home, but leave us in a room with a squat toilet and no paper and we’ll be scratching our heads and crossing our legs. That said, it doesn’t mean our way is necessarily the right way – and when it comes to Southeast Asia’s ‘bum guns’, we could learn a thing or two.
Know the facts – it’s clean and hygienic
So picture this – you’re walking your dog, and it does its business on the side of the road. “Not a problem,” you think – “I’ll just pick it up with –WHOOPS, it’s on my hand!”. Would you be content to just wipe your poop-covered hand with a tissue? Though not. When you compare the bum gun’s spray of water against Westerners’ use of toilet paper, it’s actually much more hygienic and does a better job of cleaning you. See, it’s nothing to be scared of.
Understand what it’s used for
Whilst they are handy when it comes to cleaning the bowl or even the bathroom itself, those aren’t the primary function of the bum gun – cleaning your bum is. By all means, clean the bathroom with it if you’re bored – but don’t shy away from its primary use – embrace it.
Prepare yourself
Before using it for the first time, you may need to mentally and physically prepare yourself. It can be daunting at first, but understand millions of people around the world use it, and plenty of travellers return home only to install them in their homes, so they really can’t be that bad. Make sure you’ve got a few pieces of toilet paper with you and some hand sanitiser too for good measure, and you’re ready to try the bum gun.
Test the spray
Before you go ahead and start to use it on a rather delicate part of the body, you’ll want to give it a test spray first, both to ascertain whether it’s in working order and to check the power of the gun itself (the power can vary place to place, in some it’s a weak trickle and in others it’s a mighty jet of water). Test it by holding it and pulling the trigger, and once you’ve got a good feel for it and how it works, you’ll be ready for the next step.