When it comes to keeping your toilet clean and odor-free, most homeowners look for simple, affordable solutions that actually work. Surprisingly, one of the most effective ingredients for toilet maintenance is sitting right in your kitchen. It’s table salt.
Yes, that’s right. Salt can help clean, deodorize, and even prevent minor clogs in your toilet. In this guide, we’ll explain why putting salt in your toilet works, how to use it safely, and when to call a professional for help.
Does Salt in The Toilet Really Work
Salt is known for its natural abrasive, antiseptic, and deodorizing properties. It can be used as a cleaning and deodorizing agent as well as a mild disinfectant. The versatility of salt makes it an ideal component for home maintenance and cleanliness.
Salt is slightly coarse; it works like a gentle scrubber, loosening dirt and stains without damaging the porcelain surface. The answer is yes, salt really works in cleaning a toilet.
Benefits of Putting Salt in The Toilet
Adding salt to your toilet care routine is a simple step. It can bring several benefits, such as:
Natural Cleaning and Stain Removal
Salt, being a mild abrasive cleaner, helps scrub away limescale, rust, and mineral deposits. When mixed with baking soda or lemon juice, it becomes more effective in removing stains and residue from the toilet.
Odor Elimination
Due to its antiseptic properties, Salt can kill bacteria and neutralize foul odors. The salt breaks down odor-causing bacteria and absorbs moisture, leaving your bathroom with a fresh smell.
Minor Clog Prevention
When it is combined with hot water, salt can help dissolve grease and soap buildup that often causes minor clogs. If you use salt regularly, it can keep your pipes clear and prevent slow drains.
Disinfectant Qualities
Naturally, salt fights bacteria and fungi, reducing germs in your toilet bowl and around the rim. Although salt is not a medical-grade disinfectant, it is a safe and natural way to enhance hygiene.
Cost-Efficiency & Eco-Friendly
Compared to commercial toilet cleaners, salt is an inexpensive alternative. It is readily available in the market. Salt is an all-natural substance without any harsh chemicals. So it is safer to use and does not affect the ecosystem.
Convenient Way
The process of adding salt to the toilet to keep it clean is very simple. No tools or skills are required to do it. It is a really convenient way to maintain hygiene.
How to Use Salt in Your Toilet Effectively
Experts of RedFish Inspections recommend this simple and safe method for using salt as part of your toilet cleaning routine:
- Prepare: Get about half a cup of table salt (or coarse sea salt for tougher stains) and a toilet brush for cleaning.
- Apply: Sprinkle the salt evenly into the toilet bowl. Cover all the sides and area under the rim.
- Soak: Let it sit for 15-30 minutes (or longer for deeper cleaning). This allows the salt to break down grime and odors.
- Flush: Rinse it all away to reveal a clean, fresh toilet bowl.
How Often Should You Put Salt in Your Toilet
Putting salt in the toilet is a safe practice without any side effects. You can use it daily to make your toilet germs-free. However, you should put salt in the toilet twice a week to keep the stains away.
If there are minor clogs, use about half a cup of rock salt or coarse sea salt, let it sit overnight, and then flush with hot water the next morning. If you need enhanced cleaning, then use it this way:
- Salt + Baking Soda + Lemon Juice: It creates a thick paste excellent for tough stains and mineral buildup.
- Salt + Vinegar + Hot Water: Forms an antibacterial cleaning solution, beneficial for minor clogs.
What Does Putting Salt in Your Toilet Do
When added to the toilet bowl, salt begins to dissolve, creating a saline solution that can break down light deposits of lime scale and mineral build-up. It can also act as a mild abrasive, which aids in scrubbing away grime and organic matter.
Salt Acts as a Disinfectant in The Bathroom
The toilet bowl contains the highest amount of germs. Even a flushed toilet bowl can be a reason for spreading diseases. Meanwhile, salt acts as a disinfectant and can help kill the germs in the toilet bowl. Moreover, you can use salt to clean the sink and tiles, keeping your bathroom free of germs.
How to Remove Salt From The Pipes in The Bathroom
If the salt starts to be deposited in the pipelines, you need to deal with it immediately. Salt buildups can lead to clogged pipes. The best solution to remove these buildups is to add vinegar to the drain and let it sit overnight. The acidic nature of vinegar can break down the buildup of calcium in the pipes.
When You Should Be Cautious
While salt is generally safe, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Older pipes: Excessive salt can be corrosive to metal plumbing (like cast iron).
- Septic systems: Too much regular salt can upset the bacterial balance that breaks down the waste.
- Major clogs: Salt can’t fix severe blockages. For that, you’ll need a professional plumber or inspection service.
- Residue buildup: If not flushed regularly, salt can accumulate inside pipes, causing new blockages over time.
Toilet Maintenance and Issues
Now that you know about pouring salt in the toilet, let’s look at other areas of preventative maintenance. One of those is using the right toilet paper. If you have a septic system, knowing if Charmin is septic-safe is a good idea. The good news is, yes, it is. It is made with dissolvable materials that break down in water, reducing clogs and damage to the system.
Another area is a toilet that continues to run. This can be frustrating as the sound is a nuisance. However, it is a quick fix, usually due to a fill valve or rubber flapper needing replacement.
Lastly, you might find that you have brown toilet water. This can be due to many things, such as a rusty toilet, leftover waste, minerals, or a clogged toilet. You will need to locate the cause and fix it, and keep an eye out for rusted pipes.
When to Call a Professional
While DIY methods can be effective for minor blockages, in some situations, professional intervention is inevitable. If your toilet keeps clogging persistently, water overflows from the bowl, or if it seems like there is a blockage deeper within the sewage line, it’s time to call a plumber. When the issue becomes complex, it’s better to call a professional and get it fixed.
Conclusion
Putting salt in the toilet is an efficient way to maintain cleanliness and ensure its smooth functioning. You can use salt along with other tricks, too, as it is a budget-friendly and safe way to keep your plumbing issues away. However, if there are severe problems with your toilet, don’t hesitate to seek help from our professional team. Trying to solve the complex issues with DIY tricks can cause inconvenience. Reach out to RedFish Inspections for a home inspection in Houston, TX, and the surrounding areas. Let the inspectors find out the real reason behind the issues you are facing with your toilet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is putting salt in your toilet safe for all plumbing systems?
It’s safe for most modern PVC systems when used moderately. If you have older metal pipes, limit frequent use, as salt can be mildly corrosive over time.
Q2: How often should I put salt in my toilet?
Twice a week is plenty for general cleaning. For deodorizing or hard water buildup, you can sprinkle a small amount every other day. Too much salt regularly can also become problematic.
Q3: Can salt unclog a severely blocked toilet?
Not really. Salt helps with minor clogs caused by grease or soap, but deeper blockages need tools like a plunger, auger, or professional help.
Q4: What kind of salt works best?
Table salt is for light cleaning, coarse sea salt or rock salt for stains and buildup, and Epsom salt if you’re maintaining a septic system. The expert’s opinion is recommended for better results.
Q5: Will salt harm my septic tank?
Moderate use is fine, but too much can affect the bacteria that keep your septic system balanced. Stick to small amounts occasionally.
Q6: Can salt kill tree roots in plumbing?
Rock salt can help deter small tree roots from invading pipes, but it’s not a permanent solution. If you suspect root intrusion, contact a professional.
