I get it, it’s the toilet. No one likes to clean the toilet.
But the fact that you found this article means you are looking to upgrade your toilet cleaning routine and find the most effective material for it.
Let me tell you right away. Having used many different types of cloths and even paper towels to clean my toilet, there is one cloth that I always return to based on its effectiveness.
The absolute best cloth to clean your toilet with is a high-quality microfibre cloth like the E-Cloth. High-quality microfibre cloths are proven to remove 99% of bacteria including e-Coli and listeria.
I chose the E-Cloth because it comes in a pair so it’s easy to clean wet with the waffle cloth and polish with the dry cloth. However, any high-quality waffle microfiber and glass cloth duo will work.
Microfibre cloths don’t actually get rid of the bacteria, but because of the special way they are made, they lift the bacteria off surfaces on a micro-level making them perfect for cleaning the exterior part of a toilet.
E-Cloths are not the only cloths you can use to clean your toilets, here are some other toilet cleaning cloths I love using and have had success with.
| CLEANER | PROS | CONS |
| Paper Towel | The most hygienic way to clean | Cost of stocking up and not environmentally friendly |
| Scrub Sponge | Cleans set stains quicker | More likely to harbour bacteria |
| Microfibre Cloth | Saves money as they are reusable and easy to clean | Grows weak with multiple uses and it’s tough to find good quality ones |
| Disinfectant wipes | Quick to use, removes germs on surfaces | Not the most environmentally friendly option |
Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. I make a commission for purchases made through these links with no additional fee to you. Please see my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.
Difference between E-Cloth and microfibre cloth
E-Cloths are essentially microfibre cloths made from woven polyester and polyamide fibres. The difference is that E-Cloths are of excellent quality hence why they claim to provide 300 washes.
Also, they come in a pair – one waffle texture and one smooth texture. There are lots of microfibre cloths on the market but not many can make the claim of 300 washes because many are just not that good.
I know I sound like an E-Cloth obsessed person and this article is starting to sound like an ad for E-Cloths. I promise it’s not and no one is paying me to say these things. Ever since I discovered them, they changed my cleaning routine and that’s why I have written about them so many times on this blog.
How To Clean The Toilet With The E-Cloth
Although the E-Cloth claims to be able to clean with just water, I don’t feel comfortable using just water. Here’s how I clean the toilet with it.
Step #1:
Fill a bowl with water and mix a very tiny bit of dish soap with it. You don’t want your water too soapy. Simultaneously, flush your toilet and squirt in your favorite toilet cleaner inside the toilet bowl.
Step #2:
Dip the waffle patterned cloth into the soap mix and wring.
Step #3:
Clean the outside part of your toilet, redipping into the soapy water and wringing, multiple times. Don’t forget to clean the base of your toilet bowl.
Step #4:
Take the dry cloth and wipe it down.
Step #5:
Use a toilet brush to wash the toilet bowl as normal and flush.
Step #6:
Wash the E-Cloth duo in warm soapy water and hang to dry.
This is the way I clean the toilet and we have never had an issue with anyone getting sick even when one of us has the runs.
How to Clean Reusable Microfibre Cloths
The best way to wash any reusable microfibre cloth is simply with a bit of dish soap or hand washing detergent.
Pour a tiny bit of detergent over the cloth. Run it under the tap and rub it between your palms to get rid of any dirt on it. Rinse and leave out to dry
I will warn you, in order to maintain your E-Cloth for years and years, don’t let them come in contact with bleach as they can degrade the fibers.
DIY Toilet Cleaner
Now let me show you how to make a simple toilet cleaner that you can use regularly.
If you want to make a simple cleaner to clean the exterior part of your toilet, you can use a simple mixture of 60% vinegar and 40% water in a spray bottle.
Vinegar acts as a disinfectant and you can use this mix ever so often to refresh the toilet. It also makes your toilet smell fresh once the strong vinegar smell evaporates.
{RELATED: How To Make The Best Self Cleaning Toilet Bombs}
Toilet Cleaning Supplies
If you are looking to stock up on toilet cleaning supplies, here are a few things to add to your shopping list.
- Liquid Bleach
- Cleaning Cloth
- Toilet Bowl Brush
- Vinegar
- Cleaning gloves
With these, you can be sure to always have what you need to keep your toilet really clean.
FAQs
How should I clean and care for microfibre cloths?
These are some of my best practices for maintaining your microfibre cloths and keep it clean and effective for a long time.
- The best way to clean E-Cloths and other similar microfibre cloths is simply with mild detergent and warm water.
- My preferred way is to soak it in a dedicated bowl and wash it right away, that way the stains or germs don’t get a chance to linger on it. Then I hang it to air dry and it’s ready to use on my next wash. You can also wash in the washing machine with your regular detergent.
- Do not let your cloths come in contact with bleach as it destroys the fibers of the cloth making it less effective.
- Do not wash with other clothes and lint from other fibers could clog the cloths and make them less effective at picking up bacteria from surfaces.
See more ideas on how to care for the cloth on the E-Cloth website
How often should you clean your toilet?
It depends. Ideally once a week is enough but how often it is used or the number of people in your household should impact how frequently you clean the toilet.
The toilet is the one place that has a lot of bacteria so the more people use it, the more frequently it should be cleaned. If you do a deep clean for instance on Saturdays, then you can give it a refresh with vinegar and water and a toilet bomb on Wednesdays.
How many cleaning cloths do I need?
When it comes to cleaning cloths, it’s important that you own one for each room of the house or at the very least each type of room. So, for instance, you could have cloths for bedrooms, then another for toilets and another for the kitchen.
It is so important that you separate your cleaning cloths so that you limit transfer of bacteria. It sounds obvious but it’s so important that I reiterate it. Do not use the same cleaning cloths you use for your bathroom in the kitchen. That is just nasty.
Should I use a sponge or cloth to clean the bathroom?
When choosing what to clean your bathroom with. It’s best to use cleaning materials that can stay dry most of the time. This is why I prefer cleaning cloths over sponges. Sponges are notorious for harbouring bacteria and if there is any place in the house that has the most bacteria, it’s the toilet.
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