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Dear Heloise: I know you're a big fan of vinegar, but is it safe to clean my toilet? I have a septic system.
— Glenna in Indiana
Glenna in Indiana: Glenna, absolutely! Vinegar is safe and milder than caustic cleaners designed for the toilet, and those commercial cleaning agents can eat away the good bacteria in your septic system.
To safely and inexpensively clean your toilet bowls, pour a generous glug of vinegar, followed by a heavy sprinkling of baking soda, into the bowl. While the mixture is bubbling up, scrub the bowl (get under the rim, too). Let it soak for 30 minutes and flush. That’s it. Just another reason to keep lots of vinegar at home for cleaning many, many surfaces! For a list of vinegar uses including cleaning, cooking and even beauty hints, order my six-page vinegar pamphlet by visiting Heloise.com, or by sending a long, self-addressed, stamped (70 cents) envelope together with $5 to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. For really stubborn toilet bowl stains, use undiluted vinegar directly on the stain and scrub with a brush.
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Dear Heloise: Each of my bathrooms has three wall switches: one for the lights, one for the exhaust fan and one for the heater.
To aid guests, I color coded two of the switches. Using a dab of nail polish on the switch handle, I marked the fan switch blue and the heater switch red. Now there's no confusion.
— Tom C., Richardson, Tex.
Dear Heloise: Here's a hint for artists. For an easy palette cleanup, I use a medium-size, white plastic cutting board with a handle at one end as a paint palette.
I slide a gallon-size zipper-top bag over the cutting board and distribute the paints on the bag. When I take a break from painting, I cover the paints with a sheet of plastic wrap. This will keep the paints from drying out for a few hours, sometimes even a few days, until I can get back to that painting.
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When I'm finished with that palette, I slide the plastic bag off into the trash. No more palette scraping!
— Bobbie M., via email
Dear Heloise: Want to give your hair a boost, that is to say, a bit more volume? It's easy. Simply change the part in your hair. Combing the hair to the other side can lift up those roots. Also, hair that is one-day dirty seems to style more easily.
— Veronica in Alabama
Dear Heloise: A used dryer sheet makes a good scrubber for the sink and countertops. It has a "nubby" texture that cleans well but doesn't scratch.
— Helen in Georgia
Helen in Georgia: This is a great idea! Used dryer sheets have all kinds of uses: dusting electronics and your car’s interior, freshening musty smells and removing pet hair from clothes and furniture. Use your imagination!
Heloise’s column appears six days a week at washingtonpost.com/advice. Send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
2020, King Features Syndicate
As a cleaning and household maintenance enthusiast with a deep understanding of various cleaning methods, I can confidently address Glenna's inquiry about using vinegar to clean a toilet with a septic system. My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive knowledge of cleaning agents, their properties, and their effects on different surfaces and systems.
First and foremost, vinegar is indeed a safe and effective alternative for cleaning toilets, especially when dealing with a septic system. This assertion is based on the fact that vinegar is milder than many commercial cleaners designed for toilets. Caustic cleaners, often laden with harsh chemicals, can have detrimental effects on septic systems by disrupting the balance of good bacteria crucial for their proper functioning.
The recommended method provided in the article involves pouring vinegar into the toilet bowl, followed by a sprinkling of baking soda. This combination creates a bubbling reaction that helps in cleaning. The advice to scrub the bowl, including under the rim, and letting it soak for 30 minutes before flushing demonstrates a practical understanding of the cleaning process.
For stubborn toilet bowl stains, the suggestion is to use undiluted vinegar directly on the stain and scrubbing with a brush. This approach highlights the versatility of vinegar as a cleaning agent for tackling specific issues effectively.
Additionally, the article emphasizes the importance of keeping vinegar at home for various cleaning purposes, showcasing a holistic approach to household cleaning solutions. This aligns with my knowledge that vinegar is a multipurpose cleaner suitable for a wide range of surfaces.
In conclusion, the information provided in the article aligns with my expertise, emphasizing the safety and effectiveness of vinegar for cleaning toilets, particularly in homes with septic systems. The detailed cleaning method and additional tips showcase a practical understanding of household cleaning practices.
