Your toilet can clean itself — all you need is this one natural ingredient in your kitchen

When it comes to bathroom cleaning, our least favorite chore is scrubbing inside the toilet. And knowing how to clean a toilet the right way is essential for removing germs, stains and of course, keeping it smelling fresh.

But even with regular brushing, the cleanest toilet will inevitably show limescale, and can start to look gross pretty quickly.

Luckily, there is an easy way to clean your toilet without even breaking a sweat. You simply leave it in overnight and it will literally do all the hard work for you, while you’re sleeping.

What’s more, all you need is a natural item that is commonly found in most kitchens. So what is this brilliant toilet cleaning ‘hack’?

Let baking soda do the work

The answer is baking soda. Typically used as an addition to our delicious cakes and bakes, this humble item also has miraculous cleaning and deodorizing powers.

This is because baking soda has a mild alkaline pH, making it a perfect cleaning agent that works quickly to break down dirt and grease easily when mixed with water. Unlike many shop-bought products and sprays, baking soda is completely natural, non-toxic and odor-free, which is much more eco-friendly.

And when combined with the acidity of white vinegar, both ingredients can make a lethal cleaning combo. So what makes baking soda and vinegar so good at cleaning? When you combine baking soda with white vinegar, this creates a fizzing chemical reaction which can help lift and dislodge organic matter or stubborn stains.

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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How to clean your toilet with baking soda and vinegar

Just before bedtime, simply pour about one cup of white vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it sit for about a minute. Next, add half a cup of baking soda, and you should start to see a fizzing reaction as the two ingredients combine. Then close the lid and leave for up to eight hours overnight to let your solution get to work.

The next day, take your toilet brush and give it a good scrub. You’ll find it should be easier to clean as the dirt and grime would have loosened and lifted overnight. Not only will you have a grime-free toilet, but the baking soda should have absorbed odors too. More importantly, this method will save you the time and elbow grease of scrubbing away.

For more top tips, try these 5 bathroom cleaning hacks that will save you time and effort. Or how to make your home smell amazing.

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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