This common spot you’re forgetting to clean on your toilet is filthy — and it’s not what you think

Let’s face it, nobody likes cleaning the toilet. But after you’ve cleaned your toilet seat and inside the bowl to perfection, you might be forgetting this common spot. What’s more, this is a germ hotbed for moisture, grime and dirt that can all build up over time. So what is this super gross area?

The base of your toilet, where it meets the floor, is an easily overlooked and surprisingly filthy area that often gets missed during bathroom cleaning. In fact, if you squat down and look closely at where the caulk is around the base and the bolt caps, you might be shocked at how grimy these are.

What’s more, if these are not thoroughly cleaned, this can leave a lingering smell — even if the rest of the toilet is sanitized and gleaming.

How to clean your toilet base

The easiest way to clean your toilet base is to spray down the floor around the base and back of the toilet with bathroom cleaner.

Let the solution sit for a little while to let it get to work at lifting and removing the grime. Next, get a microfiber cloth to wipe around the entire base of the toilet, and around the back if possible. If it’s hard to reach, you may want to invest in an extendable scrub brush or a grout cleaning tool.

A Better Way to Clean Your Toilet

Additionally, you can make a homemade solution using baking soda and white vinegar to clean inside your toilet.

Simply pour about one cup of vinegar into your toilet bowl and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, add half a cup of baking soda, and you should start to see a fizzing reaction as the two ingredients combine.

Nutricost Baking Soda (2 lbs): $14 at Amazon

Now we all know the miracle cleaning powers of baking soda, and I always have a supply at hand to cut my cleaning chores in half. Not only is baking soda great for baking, but can be used for removing stains and absorbing bad odors in the fridge or trash bins.

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Close the lid and leave for an hour before giving it a good scrub with your toilet brush. You should see any grime or stains easily lift off and appear spotless. You could even leave it overnight to essentially let your toilet clean itself while you’re asleep. These habits should ensure a clean and fresh-smelling bathroom at all times.

For more top tips, try these 5 bathroom cleaning hacks that will save you time and effort.

More from Tom's Guide

• People are using ice to clean their toilets — here's why it actually works
• 4 products you should avoid using when cleaning your bathtub
• 7 common mistakes that make your bathroom dirtier

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