The Alcoholic Beverage You'll Use To Clean Your Toilet Bowl

Cleaning the bathroom is most likely on your list every week, but there's a difference between a quick wipe down and deep cleaning the bathroom. Since the bathroom is one of the most used places in the house, it's one of the dirtiest places. The toilet often carries the most bacteria in the bathroom, especially the handle and surrounding area of the toilet bowl. When you start noticing rings forming inside the bowl, it's time to use a more robust product than standard toilet bowl cleaners like Lysol. While Lysol can help eliminate marks and stains, it won't permanently eliminate rings that have been left for a few weeks. Instead, use vodka to disinfect and remove stubborn toilet bowl rings.

Vodka is an excellent cleaning agent alternative that cuts through any grime and mildew on your kitchen countertops, clothes, and carpets. According to TV Entertaining Expert and author of "Cocktail Chameleon" Mark Addison, "Liquor–and particularly vodka–is a natural disinfectant and can be used to clean a variety of surfaces in one's home to combat mold and mildew and kill germs" (via Realtor.com). In addition, it helps eliminate odors without leaving behind an intense smell, so it's perfect for folks with sensitive noses. You don't have to use premium vodka either; cheap, bottom-shelf vodka will give your toilet bowl a whole new look.

Using vodka to clean your toilet bowl is straightforward. It's best to clean your toilet bowl with vodka once a month because it'll help prevent rings from forming in the bowl. All you need is ½ cup of vodka and a toilet brush. Simply pour the vodka into the toilet bowl and scrub the surface with the toilet brush. You can let the liquid sit for a few minutes after scrubbing to seep into any stubborn rings that need more time to lift.

While you're waiting, wipe down the sides of the toilet and handle with a towel dipped into the vodka to disinfect the surfaces and eliminate odors. Vodka can also be used to remove tough grime marks on the floor. So, when you're done cleaning the toilet, spray any sticky, dark spots and let it sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing with an old toothbrush. Apply some water to wipe off the residue. Keeping vodka in a spray bottle makes it more accessible on cleaning days; you can spritz a few surfaces instead of having to prep it the day of. Never underestimate the power of what your favorite spirit can do for your home.