Clean the lids. Now that you’ve cleaned the bowl, it’s time to clean the main points of contact – the top and bottom lids. Use all-purpose cleaner and rags/paper towels (or disposable sanitary wipes) to give both the lids a quick but thorough cleaning on both sides. If you want to, use an old toothbrush to scrub the hard-to-reach spots between the lid and the body of the toilet as well as the hinges.

Give the body of the toilet a quick wipe-down. Finally, it’s time to give your toilet‘s porcelain a squeaky-clean shine. Using a spray bottle, mist the exterior of the toilet with an all-purpose cleaner. Use a rag or paper towel to wipe down the toilet‘s porcelain, paying special attention to the handle. Alternatively, you may simply dip a rag or paper towel in cleaning solution or warm water, re-dipping the rag or towel when it is soiled.

Start cleaning the highest point on the toilet first – this way, if dirty water or cleaning fluid drips down, it will only touch areas you haven’t cleaned yet. Don’t forget to clean hard-to-see areas like the base of the toilet and the back of the tank, which faces the wall. To successfully clean these areas, you may need to use pipe cleaners or a tooth-brush.

Flush! Your toilet should now be looking much better than it did before. Give your toilet a flush to dispose of any dirty water that’s accumulated in the bowl. If you used any toilet tissue while cleaning your toilet, this is also a good chance to get rid of it, provided you used an amount small enough that you’re sure your toilet won’t clog.

As a precaution, wash your hands after taking your gloves off. Small amounts of water may have splashed inside the gloves while cleaning. If your toilet only needed a quick, “light” clean, congratulations – you’re done! If, however, your toilet has serious stains or hasn’t been cleaned in a long time, you may have more success with the “deep cleaning” method below.