Cleaning around the shower and bathroom is not as simple as it seems, especially when they get dirty so fast. In that circumstance, a person might think of using toilet bowl cleaner in the shower for fast cleaning results.
But can you use toilet bowl cleaner in shower?
A toilet bowl cleaner is not safe to use in the shower because of its toxic nature. It contains abrasive chemicals that may corrode the surfaces, leave stain marks on tiles, and come in contact with your feet when applied. So better not to use it in the shower and bathroom for cleaning.
Besides, you can use natural cleaning agents or homemade remedies to clean your shower area and other surfaces around the bathroom.
The best part?
This guide will explain everything you need to know about why you should not use toilet bowl cleaner in the shower and alternative cleaning methods you can use to clean the shower.
Why Should You Not Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner In The Shower?
Toilet bowl cleaner, as the name specifically caters for cleaning toilets, so it should not be used on showers besides porcelain toilets.
It combines chemicals with bleach and hydrochloric acid to leave your toilet sparkling like new. If you use it on bathtubs and showers, it may possibly corrode the surface and damage the material.
Besides, it can also come in contact with your skin when applied in the shower, especially on the feet, which can also be dangerous for your health. Furthermore, they emit toxic fumes that can throw your nerves out if inhaled for a long time.
Keeping all these downsides in mind, you should not use toilet bowl cleaner in the shower, not even by mistake.
Besides, you can use other cleaning methods that leave the same results as toilet bowl cleaners produce on cleaning toilets.
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How Do Toilet Bowl Cleaners Work?
Toilet bowl cleaners such as Lysol consist of two primary ingredients, Bleach, and Hydrochloric acid, that help remove those hard-to-remove stains and filthy color marks from toilets in no time.
Hydrochloric acid removes dirt by breaking down its molecules, and bleach works as a shiner that gives the toilet a glossy look by removing discoloration.
Toilet bowl cleaner comes in a liquid state, making it easy to use for cleaning purposes. But, they should not be used on surfaces such as showers and bathtubs besides on porcelain toilets.
Why? Because of its toxic nature contributed by the two main active ingredients, including Hydrochloric acid and Bleach.
Below, I have described some of their uses and effects in detail for your better understanding.
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid is an acidic substance that is harsh to use on showers if they are not resistant to it.
Toilet bowls are made of porcelain that can withstand the aftereffects of Hydrochloric acid. However, bathroom surfaces that are not acid-resistant can easily get damaged when they come across Hydrochloric acid.
Hydrochloric acid is also dangerous for human skin and can burn it if it accidentally comes into contact with it. Moreover, it emits toxic fumes that can be harmful to one’s throat and lungs.
Bleach
The bleach used in the preparation of toilet bowl cleaner is not the same as what we use at home. It is more toxic and corrosive when used for cleaning purposes.
The primary purpose of bleach in toilet bowl cleaner is to disinfect and remove discolored marks from the toilet. Since it is a complicated task for other cleaners, bleach is considered the best agent to accomplish it.
Bleach can also be a potential hazard to human health. It can cause skin irritations or respiratory problems if inhaled or touched. So, it cannot be used in showers and bathtubs because of its corrosive and toxic nature.
However, you can use home bleach for cleaning around the shower since it is mildly acidic compared to the one used in toilet bowl cleaners.
What Are The Alternative Methods To Clean Showers?
You might be impressed with the cleaning results of toilet bowl cleaners, but there are alternative methods you can use to achieve the same results in your shower.
Moreover, if you’re wondering what I can use to clean my shower, the methods explained below will help solve your query.
Let’s take a deep look at them.
Shower Cleaners
All surface shower cleaners are the best and most effective way to clean showers and bathtubs. They are safe to use on all surfaces, and you don’t have to prepare something to use them. Just apply shower cleaner straight where cleaning is required, and you’re done.
It is mildly acidic, which is why it doesn’t cause damage and also leaves a pleasant odor on the surface after use that soothes your nerves.
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Bleach
The bleach used at home for regular cleaning is mildly acidic compared to the one used in the preparation of toilet bowl cleaner. So, you can use home bleach for cleaning around the shower and bathroom.
Bleach will remove stains and unpleasant odors from your shower in no time. Just mix bleach with water equally to create a solution. After that, apply it to a dirty surface, scrub it with a sponge, and rinse the area with water.
Make sure not to mix bleach with other cleaning agents; only dilute it with water. Otherwise, any unusual experimentation can cause severe damage to your health.
Vinegar & Baking Soda
You can’t underestimate the power of vinegar and baking soda when it comes to leaving surfaces sparkling like crystals. They can remove hard stains, watermarks, and soap cums around the shower the fastest way possible.
All you need is to mix both substances in equal amounts and apply them on the surface where cleaning is required. After that, scrub the surface with a sponge or cloth, and at the end, rinse hot water on the surface. Your shower will come back to its former glory.
Tile Scrubbers
If you have a shower with a tiled wall or floors, tile scrubbers are best for cleaning stains and dirt from it. You can use a telescoping scrubber like this one from Yocada Tub for effective cleaning results.
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These tile scrubbers remove all types of stains and dirt from surfaces without breaking your back and wallet. Use them smoothly; a hard approach is neither good for you nor for your shower.
Can I Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner Elsewhere?
You can use toilet bowl cleaners on other surfaces unless they’re acid-resistant or made of porcelain. Otherwise, you should not use toilet bowl cleaner because it can damage the surface and also harm your body. So, better to stay away from any adventure unless you’re utterly confident.
Can A Toilet Bowl Cleaner Kill You?
No, it should not unless you’re careful about using it. You can damage your skin if you come in contact with their liquid; otherwise, they won’t kill you externally.
However, if you swallow it, things can get scary because it contains abrasive chemicals that may kill you if you don’t reach the doctor on time.
Regardless of whether toilet bowl cleaners kill you or not, you should follow preventive measures while using them to save yourself and your loved ones.
Safety Measures To Follow When Using Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Here are some safety measures you should follow when using toilet bowl cleaner for cleaning purposes.
- Firstly, keep the toilet bowl cleaner away from the reach of children. This is necessary because it contains abrasive chemicals, so it should be placed away from children’s reach.
- Always wear safety gloves when using the toilet bowl cleaner for cleaning. It helps protect your hands from damage even if toilet bowl cleaner accidentally comes across your skin.
- Towel bowl cleaners exert toxic fumes that can be dangerous if inhaled for a long time. So, keeping the doors and ventilation open when using it is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Safe To Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner In Shower?
No, it’s not because toilet bowl cleaner is designed only to use on porcelain toilets because of its toxic nature. So, you should not use it to clean the surfaces around your shower.
Can You Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner On Fiberglass?
A fiberglass is a sensitive object that cannot bear toilet bowl cleaners’ complexity when applied. So, you should not use toilet bowl cleaner on fiberglass; otherwise, it may corrode or damage its surface.
Can You Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner In The Bathtub?
Toilet bowl cleaners contain abrasive chemicals that can damage your bathtub and diminish its glossy finish. So better not to use toilet bowl cleaner on bathtubs. Besides, you can use other cleaning methods such as shower cleaner, vinegar, baking soda, etc.
Can You Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner On Grout?
Toilet bowl cleaners consist of harsh chemicals that may corrode or damage the grout if applied over it for cleaning. So, you should not use toilet bowl cleaner on grout. Besides, natural cleaning methods can restore your grout’s former glory.
How To Clean Your Shower Without Toilet Bowl Cleaner?
You can use other cleaning methods, such as shower cleaners, bleach, vinegar and baking, tile scrubbers, etc., to clean your shower without a toilet bowl cleaner. These cleaning methods’ usage has been described in this article; you can scroll fast above to see them.
Bottom Line
Toilet bowl cleaners are designed specifically for toilets, so it is better not to experiment with using them in other areas, such as showers, bathtubs, grout, fiberglass, etc.
They contain abrasive chemicals such as Hydrochloric acid and Bleach that can be dangerous to use on non-acidic resistant surfaces. So, use them only on porcelain toilets.
I hope this article helps answer your query of can you use toilet bowl cleaner in shower? If yes, don’t forget to check other useful posts on my blog.
If you have any queries, ask them below in the comment section; I would love to answer them.
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