How to Clean a Plunger? – Step-By-Step DIY Guide

The plungers for the toilet are the most important tools in the bathroom. It is used to unclog toilets when they become backed up.

If the plunger is not cleaned on a regular basis, it can become a haven for bacteria and germs. This can lead to serious health problems, such as the spread of disease.

Therefore, it is important to clean the toilet plunger on a regular basis to prevent the spread of illness.

Easy Way To Clean a Plunger

These are the simple steps for cleaning the plunger:

  1. To clean a toilet plunger, add a few capfuls of liquid bleach to the toilet bowl.
  2. Next, insert the plunger into the bleach and water mixture.
  3. Swirl the plunger around for a minute or two.
  4. Finally, flush the toilet and rinse the plunger in the fresh toilet water.

In this article, you will find information about cleaning a toilet plunger.

Reasons to Clean a Bathroom Plunger

a Bathroom Plunger

There are many reasons to clean your toilet plunger, but here are just a few:

  • To avoid the spread of harmful bacteria: Toilet plungers can become home to harmful bacteria if they are not cleaned on a regular basis. This is because the plunger comes into contact with human waste, which can contain harmful bacteria. By cleaning your plunger regularly, you can help prevent the spread of these bacteria.
  • To keep your toilet plunger in good condition: A toilet plunger that is not cleaned on a regular basis can become old and worn out. This can cause it to lose its effectiveness and may even cause it to break. Bleach for a clogged toilet plunger can help keep it in good condition.
  • To avoid bad smells: A toilet plunger that is not cleaned on a regular basis can start to develop bad smells. This is because of the build-up of bacteria on the plunger. By cleaning your plunger regularly, you can help avoid these bad smells.

Benefits of a Clean Toilet Plunger

Cleaning the toilet with a plunger

A clean toilet plunger has many benefits that are often overlooked.

First, it creates a much more pleasant environment in your bathroom. No one wants to see a dirty plunger standing next to the toilet. A clean plunger also helps prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. If your plunger is covered in dirt, it can easily transfer these contaminants to your hands or clothes.

Another advantage of a clean plunger is that it works more efficiently. A dirty plunger can get clogged with debris, making it less effective at clearing toilet clogs. A clean plunger will work more efficiently and is less likely to cause damage to your pipes.

Finally, cleaning your toilet plunger is a simple and easy task that doesn’t take a lot of time. It’s a quick and easy way to improve the look and functionality of your bathroom.

Ways to Clean a Toilet Plunger

If your toilet plunger is looking a little worse for wear, don’t despair – it can be cleaned! Here are a few ways to get your plunger looking and working like new again.

A cleaning toilet plunger with bleach

Toilet plunger with bleach

If you need to clean your toilet plunger with bleach, be sure to take precautions to avoid inhaling the fumes. Run the bathroom fan and open a window if possible. Pour several capfuls of bleach to unclog the toilet into the toilet bowl and use the plunger to swirl it around.

Flush the toilet several times to rinse away the bleach. Let the plunger dry before storing it away.

A cleaning toilet plunger with apple cider vinegar

If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals to clean your house, apple cider vinegar is a great alternative. It’s just as effective as bleach at killing antibiotic-resistant bacteria but is much safer to use.

To clean your toilet plunger with apple cider vinegar, simply mix equal parts water and vinegar, and let the plunger soak in the mixture for a few minutes. Then, flush the toilet several times to rinse the plunger. Let it dry before storing.

apple cider vinegar

A cleaning toilet plunger with disinfectant spray

If you don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning your toilet plunger, you can wrap the head in a plastic bag and spray it with disinfectant. This method is less labor-intensive and will still leave your plunger clean and bacteria-free.

Disinfectant spray

The most effective way to clean a plunger

The most effective way to clean the plunger is to use a mixture of bleach and soap, disinfectant spray, and boiling water.

First, hold the plunger head in the toilet bowl and flush the water two or three times to rinse it.

Then mix two or three caps of bleach and a large amount of laundry soap in the toilet bowl. Swirl the plunger in the bowl until foam forms. Perform a rinse and flush cycle. Then spray the plunger with disinfectant spray.

Do one more rinsing and flushing cycle. Finally, hold the plunger over the toilet and pour boiling water over it for a final rinse.

Place the plunger in a bucket to dry before storing.

FAQ

How often should I clean my toilet plunger?

How often you should clean your toilet plunger depends on how often you use it. If you use it frequently, you should clean it once a week. If you use it infrequently, you can clean it once every two weeks.

How often should the plunger be replaced?

While plungers are designed to last for many years, they will eventually need to be replaced. The best way to tell when a plunger needs to be replaced is by its ability to create a vacuum. If a plunger can no longer create a vacuum, it is time to replace it.

How long do germs live on a plunger?

It’s impossible to say for sure how long germs can live on a plunger, as it depends on the specific type of germ and the conditions of the plunger itself. However, we do know that some types of germs, such as Norovirus, can survive for weeks on dry surfaces.

This means that even if you clean your plunger, there is still the potential for remaining germs to cause illness. For this reason, it’s always best to disinfect your plunger after cleaning it, just to be safe.

Bottom Line

Toilet plungers are one of the most essential tools in any home, and keeping them clean is important for both hygiene and efficiency. Here are some tips on how to keep toilet plungers clean:

  • disinfect the plunger after each use. This can be done by spraying it with disinfectant or wiping it down with a bleach solution.
  • keep the plunger in a clean, dry place.
  • inspect the plunger regularly for wear and tear and replace it if necessary.

How do you clean your plunger? Share your answers in the comments.

Gerald Carpenter

My name is Gerald Carpenter and I am a professional plumber in the third generation. My father was a plumber, my grandfather was a plumber. I wish I had records on my other ancestors.

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