Toilet seats are one of the dirtiest parts of a toilet because they come into direct contact with people and may become splashed with urine or fecal matter. According to Dr. Charles P. Gerba, a microbiologist with the University of Arizona, approximately 80 percent of all contagious illness is transmitted through environmental means, and contaminated surfaces such as toilet seats play a major role in viral and bacterial transmission. Properly lifting and cleaning toilets seats can improve the appearance of your toilet and reduce your risk of illness.
Step 1
Gather all of your supplies before you begin cleaning the toilet seat to prevent the need to go searching for something later. Also, remove any rugs, towels or other items from around the base of your toilet. Toilet cleaners can bleach or damage fabrics.
Step 2
Put on rubber gloves and goggles to protect your hands and eyes from chemical exposure and contamination with germs. Many toilet bowls cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can irritate or burn the skin and mucous membranes.
Step 3
Lift the toilet seat with your gloved hand, and then spray the underside with a non-acid-based cleaning product. Spray the top of the toilet rim with the same product. Leave the cleaner to sit for a couple of minutes to loosen any hardened fecal matter.
Step 4
Use a scrub brush to clean the underside of the toilet seat and the top of the toilet rim. Wipe away any soap, fecal matter or dirt with a sponge. Rinse the sponge and wipe again until the surfaces are clear. Flush the toilet.
Step 5
Spray both areas again with a disinfectant, and leave it in place for at least 10 minutes to kill bacteria, viruses and mold. Wipe the surfaces using a clean sponge. Rinse with clean tap water.
Step 6
Remove stains and hard water deposits with a powdered cleaner and a scrub brush. The Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network recommends against using an acid-based stain remover, as these can cause serious burns when splashed on the skin or inhaled.
Step 7
Replace the toilet lid and then clean the seat of the toilet with a disinfectant and a clean sponge. Rinse well with clean water. Dry with a paper towel. Do not use cloth towels, as these are more likely to trap contaminants than paper towels.
Things You'll Need
- Rubber gloves
- Eye protection
- Toilet cleaning product
- Scrub brush
- Sponges
- Disinfectant spray
- Powder stain removal
- Toilet brush
- Paper towels
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