bleach vs detergent

[Nickpan]

I use a toilet specific squirt gun for cleaning the toilet, and I can use them up quite quickly, whilst I have the 5L containers of general house cleaner hanging around for ages. How different are they? The general stuff doesn't smell of bleach, so is it safe to assume it would be useless for toilet cleaning?

or just by my toilet bleach by the six-pack?

You shouldn't need to routinely bleach your toilet! Although bleach does kills germs, it isn't very good at removing faecal matter or limescale (it just beaches the colour out so you can't see it any more ). Also, it's really bad for the environment, and dangerous for you and your family if it gets onto your skin, or mixes with other bathroom cleaners.

You can still get your toilet sparkling clean by using a less damaging cleaner (Ecover and Method are both good) and a toilet brush (controversial on MN) to remove stubborn stains. If limescale is a problem, a bottle of basic white vinegar or even cola, left overnight, will shift it.

Agree with poster above

Bleach does not clean anything it kills certain 'germs' but doesn't not clean if anything it hides dirt and limescale by bleaching the colour out of it.

I usually use the squirtgun-bleach as a fine spray where the hairs and drips land, rather than pour a half-pint down the pan.
Sounds like I may as well fill my old spray bottles with what's left of my floor cleaner, then invest in some Ecover.

(I use the brush for 'below water' scrubbing)

Thanks for the replies :)

Just make sure you don't put bleach into a squirty bottle that previously contained a different cleaning chemical! It's notorious for reacting and producing toxic gases.