Forget bleach — this vinegar hack deep cleans the grimiest part of your toilet and makes it smell fresh too

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One of the worst household chores is undoubtedly cleaning a toilet. What’s more, there’s no getting away from leaving it until next week; this cleaning job can’t be left alone the same way vacuuming can.Hygiene is paramount to ensure harmful bacteria and germs are removed and prevent the spread of illness. Apart from eliminating bacteria, cleaning a toilet also removes stains, limescale and odors!How to use vinegar to clean your toilet

(Image credit: Future)Many people forget that cleaning a toilet goes beyond pouring a cleaning solution under the rim of the bowl and wiping it over with a disinfectant. It’s often the space between the base of the toilet and the floor that gets forgotten.Those yellow spots that appear at the base of your toilet (and the lingering smell) can all be removed with vinegar. Household experts recommend spraying the area with white vinegar — one of our favorite budget cleaning products at Tom’s Guide.The white vinegar treats the floor, joints and awkward to reach space behind the toilet, while eliminating the stale odor.How does white vinegar work to clean a toilet? The mild acid in vinegar kills bacteria without harsh chemicals, while breaking down water stains and neutralizing odors. It sounds like a pretty good 3-in-1 cleaning solution. What’s more, you won’t need to spend hours scrubbing your toilet.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.How to clean the base of your toilet with white vinegar1. Spray the base and surrounding area of your toilet with white vinegar.2. Leave the white vinegar to work for 10 to 15 minutes.3. Wipe the area with a damp cloth or a paper towel.4. Use a scrubbing brush to remove any remaining patches.The white vinegar will neutralize the odor, but you could add an essential oil into the mix for extra fragrance.How often should you repeat this cleaning method? It all depends on your bathroom’s footfall. If it sees heavy use, two to three times a week should be enough to keep your toilet clean and odor-free.