Ask someone to name their least favorite household chore, and you’re very likely to hear “cleaning the toilet” as a response. No one likes the dirty work that comes with keeping a commode clean, but it has to be done.

Here are a few tips that will make this painful process more efficient, tolerable, and useful. Start following these suggestions today, and you’ll save yourself time, money, and effort.

Alkaline Isn’t So Fine

Alkaline can cause rings to form around the edges of your toilet bowl. To remove unsightly rings, pour one or two cups (two cups if you have hard water) of white vinegar into the toilet each month to remove current rings and keep new ones from forming.

Baking Soda Removes the Odor

Baking soda has hundreds of uses, and here’s one that can help remove unwanted odors and keep drains clog-free: once a week, pour one cup of baking soda into the bowl, let it sit for 30 minutes, then flush. You’ll notice a pleasant smell and a clear drain after several weeks of repeating this process.

Clean Safely

When cleaning the bathroom and/or toilet, remember always to follow the directions for use found on a product’s packaging. Be especially careful not to mix products in the toilet bowl, as it can produce harmful and/or toxic fumes. It’s also a good idea to wear rubber gloves and goggles if you use a manual or automatic toilet brush, in order to prevent splattering of water or cleaner on the skin or in your eyes.

2000 Ways to Make Toilet Cleaning Much Easier

Want to make toilet cleanup much more comfortable and more infrequent? Try 2000 Flushes®, the longest-duration automatic toilet bowl cleaner you can buy. The concentrated cleaning power of 2000 Flushes keeps toilet bowls clean and sanitary for up to four months.

Available as a drop-in tablet or clip-on unit, 2000 Flushes products are easy and quick to install and provide continual, automatic toilet bowl cleaning. With its constant attack on dirty toilets and ability to freshen with every flush, you will have a cleaner toilet and notice a pleasant smell each time you enter the bathroom.