Keeping your toilet clean and free of stains, grime, and odor is one of the most daunting tasks many complain about. So naturally, this leads to searching for various cleaning hacks such as the ones found on social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook. But, the question is, do they work, and are they safe?
You should never put an entire bottle of Fabuloso in your tank. Not only can the chemicals it contains damage the tank, but it will also lower the flushing power of your toilet, leaving your toilet with gross remnants in the bowl.
Still, think you might want to try this popular TikTok trend? So let’s look at why you should never put Fabuloso in your toilet tank.
What is Fabuloso?
Fabuloso (on Amazon) is an all-purpose cleaner created in 1980 in Venezuela as an alternative to many of the other drab cleaning products on the market. Knowing the smell of someone’s home was an important factor in Latino culture, the company set out to help with this issue.
By 1996, Fabuloso had moved to Mexico and other Latino countries to the United States to be used by millions of people. The great thing about this product is that it not only smells good when cleaning, but the scent lingers for hours and even days.
With its vibrant colors and fabulous smells, Fabuloso became the best alternative to bleach-type products used all over the home. This all-purpose cleaner not only showed that it could clean well, but it also provided homes with wonderful scents as well.
Why You Shouldn’t Put Fabuloso in Your Toilet
With all of the hype about putting a bottle of Fabuloso in your toilet tank and letting it keep your toilet clean and smelling fresh, people everywhere are trying this hack. But, while it may do exactly as the TikTok video stated, is it a good idea?
The answer to this question is a resounding no due to several reasons that even plumbers will tell you are true. These reasons include the reduced capacity of the water in the tank and the risk of the harsh chemicals breaking down some of the components in the tank.
Less Tank Water
First of all, when you think about taking an entire 48-ounce bottle of Fabuloso, cutting a hole in the bottom, and putting the whole thing in your toilet tank, it seems simple enough. But if you think a bit further about this process, you should be able to understand that it reduces the amount of water that can be in the tank.
The result of not having enough water in your toilet tank is that there is not enough to ensure the amount of water and pressure needed to get rid of the waste. This means that either you will be left with junk in the toilet bowl, or you may end up dealing with a clog eventually.
Harsh Chemicals
The other reason you should never put Fabuloso in your toilet tank is that the harsh chemicals found in the product are not good long-term for components found in the tank. The plastic and metal parts can break down over time because of the chemicals, thus resulting in having to replace them.
Here Are Some Safer Alternatives
Most people know the struggle of keeping the toilet clean, sanitized, and smelling good can be difficult. Although finding hacks that can make the job easier can seem tempting, there are alternatives you can choose that will work just as well, if not better.
Check out these alternatives to using Fabuloso in your toilet tank.
Baking Soda
Baking soda and vinegar have been used in households worldwide in one capacity or another. Using it to clean your toilet can bring a whole new level of cleanliness to this unit. In most cases, you will use about two-thirds vinegar to ⅓ baking soda to clean the toilet tank from time to time, and the toilet bowl itself.
Lemon Peel
Lemon peel is an all-natural hack that can be used to keep your toilet smelling great for several weeks. Most people who have used this idea have stated that they place a lemon peel directly into the toilet tank and leave it until it is no longer effective. The result is a lovely lemony scent every time you flush.
Toilet Cleaner
Proper cleaning is the only surefire way to ensure that your toilet is clean and sanitized consistently. Most people suggest using your usual bathroom cleaner to clean your toilet inside and out once a week will keep the odors at bay.
Although there are probably more cleaning hacks that will help to keep your toilet clean and smelling fresh out there, you will want to use caution and do your research.
Toilet Tank Care Tips and Tricks
In most cases, people do not hesitate to make cleaning their toilet a regular part of their weekly cleaning routine. This is because cleaning regularly reduces germs and keeps everyone in your home healthier.
Even though cleaning the toilet is a part of most households’ weekly cleaning routine, including your toilet tank, it is not typically done. This is because it is not so widely discussed when cleaning your bathroom.
Most experts agree that cleaning your toilet tank at least twice a year will help to keep odors and hard-to-clean areas at bay. This means finding the proper steps in doing this so that you are not introducing harmful chemicals into your toilet.
It is recommended that you use vinegar and/or a safe all-purpose cleaner to keep your toilet tank clean and free of debris, rust, and other build-ups.
Here are the steps you should follow in cleaning your toilet tank properly:
- Remove the toilet tank lid and put it in a safe place.
- Pour vinegar into the tank until it is about an inch from the top.
- Let this sit for between 8-12 hours.
- Flush the toilet several times to ensure the vinegar has been removed.
- Turn the water valve off.
- Flush again to remove the water from the tank.
- Using a gentle scrub brush, clean the inside of the tank to remove residue.
- Use a softer cleaning solution such as a sponge to clean around the plastic and metal components.
- Repeat as needed, adding in the all-purpose cleaner when required.
- Turn the water back on and flush.
- Make sure everything is back in working order.
- Replace the tank cover.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that before you try any of the hacks found on social media platforms, you should always consult the manufacturer of a product. This can be done via their website or by calling their helpline to ensure it is safe.
Keep in mind that having a clean and fresh-smelling bathroom and toilet does not have to be a daunting task if you keep it cleaned regularly.