Can “detergent” be used to clean toilets?

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Many households, when cleaning the bathroom or toilet, may choose to pick up nearby items such as “detergent” which is normally used for washing clothes. But can we actually use detergent to clean the toilet?

While many users tout that pouring detergent down the toilet bowl does a great job of removing stains, some users warn that detergent, especially powder detergent, is more likely to clog drains. This is the reason why more and more washing machines are switching to liquid detergent. They also warn that this “secret” cleaning method is not suitable for homes with septic tank systems.

Why Detergent Powder Is a Good Alternative to Toilet Bowl Cleaner

This article states that detergent powder can be used in place of toilet bowl cleaner when necessary, but there are some precautions to take.

Why Detergent Powder Is a Good Alternative

  • Detergent powder contains cleaning ingredients similar to toilet bowl cleaner.
  • Detergent powder contains citric acid, which helps remove limescale, scale, and urine stains.
  • Some detergents contain chlorine-free bleach to help whiten the toilet bowl.
  • Detergents contain surfactants that help remove dirt and grime.
  • Detergent powder contains enzymes that help break down stains.

However, this article also lists the disadvantages of using detergent powder instead of toilet bowl cleaner. You can see these disadvantages in the question “Why detergent powder is not the best choice for toilet bowl cleaning?”

Why Detergent Powder Isn’t the Best Choice for Cleaning Toilets

Although previous articles suggested using detergent powder instead of toilet bowl cleaner in an emergency, many users and plumbers warn that this method is risky, โปรโมชั่น ufabet especially for homes with septic tanks.

Reasons why detergent is not suitable for cleaning toilet bowls:

  • Fillers: Laundry detergent often contains fillers that may not be completely dissolved in water, especially when using the recommended method of pouring half a cup of detergent down the toilet. These fillers can easily clog your drain.
  • Phosphates: Laundry detergents often contain phosphates, which help condition water, reduce scale, and remove stains. While phosphates have cleaning benefits, they are harmful to the environment. They promote the growth of bacteria and algae in septic tank systems, which can lead to clogged drains and backflow problems.
  • Foam: Some detergents contain excessive foam, which can clog the septic tank system.
  • Enzymes: Enzymes in laundry detergent are helpful in breaking down proteins, but at the same time, they can also break down the good bacteria that help break down waste in a septic tank. Choosing a biodegradable laundry detergent can help alleviate this problem to some extent.