Page 14 - August 2020 Wheel

BEWARE OF THE TOILET “BLUES”

By Rashawnda Atkinson

Most people want to find an easier way weaker parts such as the seals and other
to clean their toilets. Bleach is a common components made with rubber. The
household cleaner and the dissolvable Council also says that some types of
toilet tank tablets have a no-scrubbing- these tablets can break apart rather than
required appeal. The consequences of dissolve. These chunks can block the
using these products while cleaning your water from flowing through the toilet,
toilet can result in costly repairs, howev- decreasing the toilet’s efficiency until it
er. dissolves. This can take several months
and may have an unsightly appearance.
“I’ve seen those things reduce the life of
a toilet’s internal parts by half I suppose. So what should you use instead? Put on
Those toilet parts are made of plastic [or your gloves, grab your toilet brush and
rubber] and the bleach just makes it some spray cleaner that can be used in
weaker over time,” David Wilborn, own- the toilet as the NC Consumers Council
er of Metropolitan Water, warns. The recommends. A bit of white vinegar
company is a long-time Association con- works as well according to an article
tractor who aids the Association with published by Huffington Post Canada.
water waste reduction due to running or
leaking toilets. Ditching the bleach and toilet tank tablets
Refrain from using bleach or toilet tank may prolong the life of your toilet and
The North Carolina Consumers Council tablets to clean your toilet. help you avoid the unexpected repair bill
supports Metropolitan Water’s perspec- frain from using bleach and tablets in due to water leaks from the loo!
tive. To preserve the life of your toilet your toilet’s tank. The caustic nature of
and its parts, they recommend you re- bleach causes damage to a toilet tank’s

Page 14 Wheel August 2020