Toilet Maintenance & Care Guide
Regular maintenance extends the life of your toilet, saves water, and prevents expensive repairs.
Cleaning & Care
Proper Cleaning
Recommended at least once a week. Use mild cleaners or soapy water for the bowl, seat, and lid. Pay special attention to the seat hinges and under the rim. Avoid abrasive brushes or steel wool, which can scratch the glaze and make it harder to clean in the future.
Chemicals to Avoid
Do NOT use "drop-in" tank cleaners containing bleach or chlorine. These chemicals slowly corrode rubber seals (like flappers and gaskets) and plastic parts inside the tank, eventually causing leaks or flushing failures.
Clog Prevention
What Not to Flush
Toilets are designed only for human waste and toilet paper. Never flush wipes, feminine products, diapers, cotton swabs, dental floss, hair, or grease. Note that even wipes labeled "flushable" can easily accumulate in pipe bends and cause clogs.
Monitor Flush Performance
Pay attention to the speed and sound of the flush. If flushing becomes slow or water level rises abnormally, it is an early sign of a minor clog. Use a plunger immediately to clear it before it becomes a complete blockage.
Regular Inspection
Leak Test
Perform a leak test every 6 months: Add a few drops of food coloring or dark ink to the tank. Wait 30 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, the flapper is leaking and needs replacement to prevent water waste.
Check Valves and Connections
Ensure the fill valve shuts off completely when the water reaches the set level. Also, check if the floor bolts at the base are tight and inspect the supply line hose for signs of aging or leaks to prevent floor damage.
Winterizing
Winterizing
If leaving your home for an extended period in winter, turn off the water supply, flush to drain the tank and bowl. To prevent water remaining in the trap from freezing and cracking the porcelain, pour in some antifreeze.
Essential Maintenance Tools
Plunger
The first line of defense against clogs. A flange plunger (with an extended cup) is best for toilets as it creates a better seal.
Toilet Auger (Closet Auger)
When a plunger fails to clear stubborn clogs, a toilet auger is a more professional tool that can reach deeper into the trap to break up or retrieve obstructions.
Wrench and Screwdriver
Essential for tightening loose seat bolts or adjusting nuts when replacing fill valves or supply lines.