Bleach vs Toilet Cleaner

anotheruser

Should we really be using bleach down the toilet these days?
Or as Harpic claims, toilet cleaners can be 5x better than bleach at cleaning and killing bacteria.

I've always used bleach but considering what is perhaps better for the environment, cheaper or less dangerous. 

Carrot007

Bleach = cheap and works.

Toilet cleaner = expensive and does not.

You can even dilute the thick bleech to make it go further if you want.

Any time I have had to use those harpic products I have been disappointed (and yes that was because the shop was out of bleach). Might suffice as something to make the room smell better when someone comes over. Cleaning though not a chance. Can't comment on the bacteria. It may kill them, who knows, it does not clean though.

ka7e

I rarely use bleach etc in my toilets - I wipe the seat, rim and flush with antibacterial spray and use a silicon loo brush daily.  I much prefer the silicon brush to the old bristly ones as there is never any "residue" left on it! Toilet always looks clean and no nasty smells or stains which would indicate a build-up of bacteria.

Emmia

The Harpic/toilet duck normally removes limescale, whereas bleach does not - I use a product that bleaches and removes limescale as we live in a hard water area.

roddydogs

Bleach is an alkali, so is limescale so bleach won't touch it.

neilmcl

Also bleach on its own doesn't "clean", it disinfects.

EssexExile

Just don't drink out of the toilet then you can clean it with whatever you like. Or not if you prefer.

rach_k

I prefer toilet cleaner plus physical cleaning (with the loo brush, I keep my hands out!).  The biggest problem I see with bleach is that people think they can squirt it on and then everything is clean.  Nope!  Bleach doesn't remove dirt, it just kills bacteria and bleaches it so you can't see what's still there.  AFAIK, toilet cleaners are more likely to start the process of removing dirt and the descaling action will dissolve any limescale.  Then a scrub will finish off the job!  

Swasterix

A squirt of Harpic followed by a good wipe with a Toilet Duck fresh brush (other brands may be available). Lovely clean bog, no manky loo brush, jobs a buck!

Carrot007

Emmia said:

The Harpic/toilet duck normally removes limescale, whereas bleach does not - I use a product that bleaches and removes limescale as we live in a hard water area.

You know, I live in a hard water area and have never had limescale in the toilet. Ever. I see other people get it though. As much as the bleech might not get rid of it it certainly seems to stop it occuring. (But if people would like to tell me what they are doing differently to me! The scale certainly forms on the shower cubile and needs a  spray cleaning every few days, the toilet no).

neilmcl said:

Also bleach on its own doesn't "clean", it disinfects.

May as well be but when I have a dirty toilet and put harpic etc down and leave it a while and flush the dirt is still there. Bleech. Nice clean and shiny.

MalMonroe

Every Harpic product I've ever used has been rubbish. But I do use one of those toilet duck type brushes with the flushable paper heads and find them to be very effective.  Any other type of toilet brush just makes me want to vomit. I mean, how clean are they? It's okay, I know the answer, they aren't. 

Very occasionally I'll put a drop of bleach in the loo and leave it overnight. And of course, regular wiping of the seat with those environmentally friendly biodegradable wipes. Bob's your uncle. Or in other words, that'll have to do! We're quite healthy and have never had any problems.