Using bleach in the toilet - do people actually do this?

[EyepatchOfTravis]

Genuine question. I've always been a bit wary of using bleach (I suffer from a type of OCD where I get very anxious around certain chemicals), so have always used toilet cleaners that aren't bleach based. However, my toilet is looking pretty stained and there's lime scale too and I'm thinking that actually, a bleach based product may be a good idea for a while. However, I was looking at the bleach toilet cleaners today and the bottles of all of them (from super duper extra lime scale removal ones to bog standard thick bleach) say you should use protective gloves, clothing and eye protection, which given my anxiety around bleach has put me into a bit of a tailspin. Do people actually change into protective gear and don goggles and rubber gloves? I just assumed you picked up the bottle and squirted it round the rim with minimum fuss...

[TwentyCups]

I just squirt it in. Give my hands a wash after. I also scrub the bath with it, do the floors with it, whiten the windowsills with it, clean the kitchen sink etc etc.

Just squirt carefully. If you get it on your hands (I don't wear gloves so scrub with bleach filled sponges all the Time!) just wash them really well and moisturise.

Keeping it out of your eyes is most important.

[SylvesterMcM0nkeyMcBean]

I wear gloves to clean the bathroom anyway, but no special PPE for squirting bleach. You'll be absolutely fine just squirting the bottle as you suggest in your last sentence.

[MrsGotobed]

The warnings about wearing goggles, gloves and protective clothing is the companies way of not being sued if someone gets it in their eye or splashes it down their designer outfit.

I don't use any protective gear when cleaning my toilet and don't know anyone who does.

[DubiousCredentials]

I suppose they have to say that because if it did get onto your skin/eyes/clothes it would damage them. In reality everyone just squirts it in carefully and puts the lid back on.

[Fairylea]

I use bleach with no gloves etc. Just squirt and then wash my hands afterwards.

[MargotLovedTom1]

I pick up the bottle and squirt it around the rim with minimum fuss.....

[monkeyfacegrace]

If you have limescale, bleach is the wrong thing.

But a bottle of value vinegar for about 25p. Throw the whole thing down the loo before you go to bed. In the morning flush, and scrub with a toilet brush or with a cloth. The limescale will come off in satisfying flakes and your toilet will sparkle.

Promise promise scouts honour. I swear by it.

[BettyOBarley]

I also just squirt it from the bottle with no gloves or anything. I only use it for the loo though as I hate the smell of bleach but if I were to clean with it I'd wear rubber gloves but thats it.

[highinthesky]

Bleach doesn't remove lime scale, it merely bleaches it.

You will need a proper limescale remover. Try citric acid.

[FaithAgain]

I don't use bleach down the loo tbh. Try a mixture of white vinegar and bicarbonate in the loo. Together they fizz up and create a foam that cleans really well (also good on linescale in kettles, down plugholes and in dishwashers). Might mean you can avoid having to use chemicals when you'd rather not.

[BernardsarenotalwaysSaints]

I just assumed you picked up the bottle and squirted it round the rim with minimum fuss... That sums up exactly what I do

[UnlikelyRunner]

monkeyfacegrace can I ask, is that brown vinegar or clear vinegar? I'm clueless and never know which type people mean when they recommend vinegar for cleaning!

Op as the others said, people just squirt bleach carefully. Though most loo cleaner bottles are the thick bleach with the angled nozzle so chances of splashing it in eyes are slim. If I ever use the thin bleach I do wear marigolds to protect my hands, and I am a glasses wearer anyway so my eyes are partly protected.

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

I don't use bleach in the loo - disgusting stuff! The smell makes me nauseous and it is SO TOXIC! Don't buy it, you don't need it.

Yes, you need an acid limescale remover. Monkeyfacegrace's cheap vinegar trick should do it.

[e1y1]

I use bleach for nearly everything - sinks, floors, worktops, cupboard doors - everywhere.

I even wash my hands with a squirt of bleach if I have been doing something really manky.

Not saying this should be done of course.

I use both bleach and toilet cleaner down loo (never together, just alternate). YY to above, bleach will only bleach the limescale white, if you have limescale, you need a toilet cleaner with limescale remover.

[PickAChew]

I gave up on limescale removers, despite heavy limescale. I just squirt bleach around every 4-5 days, now, maybe extra if someone does a UFO. It's miraculous stuff. Stains and smells all gone.

[Highmaintenancefemalestuff]

I use a bleach based spray and give it all a good scrub then squirt ordinary bleach round the rim with no gloves. I clean the rest of the bathroom then flush and brush. I do this once/twice a week. Every night after everyone's used the toilet before bed I put toilet duck around then brush and flush in the morning. I love how sparkling my toilet looks.

[avamiah]

e1y1,
Me to, I use bleach everywhere but agree with you about the toilet as it will remove anything but not limescale.
A very good limescale remover is required first .
The only negative is that if you get a drop on your clothes they will be ruined.
I have learnt my lesson as I used to come home from work and start cleaning up then the next day I would see my black dress had a tiny orange mark on, that's bleach and it won't come off.

[SafeToCross]

I use the harpic clean and shine one with baking soda in that is excellent for limescale - I also dilute it and use it to clean without putting gloves on, its fine. I can understand people's environmental concerns, and am interested in what people say - however, it would be a shame if this thread fed your worries.

[Hidingtonothing]

Yes I use bleach for some household jobs and no I don't wear gloves or goggles. But I agree bleach won't remove limescale from your toilet, best product I've found for that is Harpic power in the black bottle.

[e1y1]

avamiah - YY, the amount of clothing I have damaged through bleach :( you'd thought I would have learnt

[DJBaggySmalls]

Bleach doesnt remove limescale, it just bleaches it white. Use white vinegar or citric acid crystals instead.
Open the bottle with the nozzle facing away from you and you'll be fine.

[RelentlesslyPositive]

Bleach does get rid of the stains, but I agree about the limescale (I live in a hard water area and everything gets caked in the stuff ).

Vinegar does work, and so does coke as a previous poster said. Worrying really, because I have drunk about half a litre of diet coke this evening. Hazy memories of chemistry lessons about 30 years ago lead me to believe that this is because limescale is calcium related, and coke contains phosphoric acid. I think phosphorous is a 'stronger' alkali metal than calcium. Is this true, readers?

[RelentlesslyPositive]

Actually, forget I said that - I was thinking of potassium, which also starts with a P. I should have paid more attention in school all those years ago. I was never a scientist!

[hellokittymania]

My personal assistant uses spirit of salt and some other product which she put out of my reach and I don't know what it's called, but apparently it is very very strong.