How to Clean and Maintain a Toilet Tank Experts help you turn your bathroom's most forgotten spot from grimy to gleaming. In This Article View All In This Article How Often to Clean Before You Begin Cleaning Instructions Additional Tips Project Overview Working Time: 5 - 15 minutes Total Time: 5 - 15 minutes Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $0-5 When cleaning your toilet, you might overlook the toilet tank. Your regular toilet cleaning routine likely includes an exterior wipe down, but maintaining the inside of the tank is just as important to the long-term maintenance of the fixture. Cleaning your toilet tank will help prevent the buildup of rust and mildew. Learn more expert tips about how to clean a toilet tank the proper way. Patty Stoffelen is a bath fixture merchant for The Home Depot in Atlanta, Ga. Vera Peterson is the president of Molly Maid, a nationwide cleaning service. How to Make a DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner With Baking Soda and Vinegar How Often to Clean Though cleaning the toilet tank is a little more involved than cleaning the exterior, it doesn't need to happen as frequently. Add this chore to your list just "once or twice a year for upkeep," says Patty Stoffelen, a bath fixtures merchant for The Home Depot, "While the water in the tank is usually clean, the metal parts can corrode and rust and the interior of the tank can get discolored," Before You Begin Gather a few basic supplies. "We recommend using a scrub brush paired with a hard-surface bathroom disinfectant formulated without bleach," says Stoffelen. "The biggest don't when it comes to toilet tanks is bleach—do not use bleach or products containing bleach inside the tank, as it can corrode the internal parts of your toilet. If you are aiming to remove tough stains from the tank, I also recommend white vinegar diluted with water." What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Scrub brush or toilet brush Materials Bathroom disinfectant without bleach Distilled white vinegar Instructions How to Clean a Toilet Tank Credit: gan chaonan / Getty Images Soak the Tank Soak the water-filled tank first to remove stains, says Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid. "First, remove the lid and take a peek inside," she says. "If you see any mineral buildup or crud, pour 4 cups of vinegar into the tank. Allow this to soak for up to an hour." Turn on your exhaust fan or open a window when cleaning your tank to disperse fumes from vinegar or cleaners. Empty the Tank Empty the tank after soaking. "Start by turning off the water supply valve, which is located either behind the toilet on the wall or floor," says Stoffelen. "You'll then want to flush the toilet until the tank is drained. You can use a sponge to remove any remaining water in the bottom of the tank." Spray Disinfectant and Scrub Thoroughly spray the inside of the tank with a bleach-free disinfectant and allow the disinfectant to set for 15 minutes to remove dirt and grime. Use a scrub brush or toilet brush with a longer handle to reach in and clean the tank. Use paper towels to wipe off the tank's internal parts. Stoffelen then adds enough vinegar diluted with water (hot tap water is fine) to fill the empty tank up to the overflow valve and allow it to sit for up to 12 hours. Remember that if you flush during this time, you'll empty the tank of its stain-fighting solution, so encourage your family to use the spare bathroom while the tank is soaking. Refill the Tank After scrubbing and soaking, empty the tank by flushing the toilet, and then turn the water back on to allow the tank to refill. Flush a few more times to rinse the tank, and then rest easy knowing your bathroom is spotless from the inside out. Additional Tips for Maintaining Your Toilet Tank Consider the following tips you can do in between deep cleanings to keep your tank in good condition. Avoid using toilet bowl cleaner tabs—they often contain bleach, which should not be used to clean toilet tanks because of bleach's corrosive properties and can especially damage the rubber flap.Add a cup of white distilled vinegar to the tank once a month. Leave it to sit overnight and then flush it in the morning.Check for sediment buildup and staining every month or so. This may be especially important if you have hard water or if you have a toilet that isn't used very much.Remove rust stains from a toilet tank with products specifically formulated for use in toilet tanks. Explore more: Cleaning & Organizing Bathroom Cleaning Tips