The $9 Hack That Gives Your Toilet The Fancy Touch You Didn't Know It Needed

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Updating your bathroom hardware — like door handles, cabinet knobs, and towel rods — can be a simple and affordable way to tie the look of your space together and is among the bathroom upgrades that will make your home more appealing to buyers. However, sometimes the toilet handle, pipe, and water shutoff valve are left out of the update. You don't want to forget your toilet handle when upgrading bathroom hardware; it and the other elements often match the toilet itself and can be basic white, chrome, or other uninspiring color. Instead of replacing these parts, you could try an incredibly easy and inexpensive fix that can quickly unify your bathroom's look — making everything appear coordinated and intentional — without the need for fancy plumbing or special tools. Enter Rub 'n Buff, a wax-based finishing cream filled with sparkling pigments and metallic powders that leaves an expensive-looking, waterproof finish that's perfect for bathrooms.

This cream is only $9 and is an easy DIY to update or elevate your toilet's handle, pipe, shutoff valve, and any other components that clash with your bathroom fixtures. Even better, you won't need much in the way of supplies or time to complete this project — all that's necessary is something to apply the product with, like a cloth or toothbrush. This DIY is so quick, you might even be able to knock it out during a single commercial break of your favorite home improvement show.

Rub 'n Buff comes in a ½ ounce tube, but no worries — a lot goes a long way. Be sure to brush up on all the things you need to know before using Rub 'n Buff. Before applying the product, make sure the toilet handle, pipe, and water valve are clean and completely dry. For surfaces that aren't touched often, it's fine to apply the product right away. However, for high-contact items, going over the area briefly with a sanding block will help the finish adhere better and last longer. 

While you're at it, tape off the surrounding area with painter's tape to protect surfaces you don't want the cream to touch. You can also apply a primer spray, such as a white or color-matched primer from Rust-Oleum, to help the finish look more opaque. If you prefer an antiqued look with added depth, use a black primer. Allow the applied primer to dry fully according to the manufacturer's instructions before moving on.

Start with a thin first coat, taking care not to put on too much product since it dries quickly and you might not be able to smooth it out without sanding it. If the lever looks like it could use some additional coverage, allow the first layer of Rub 'n Buff to dry — ideally for a full 24 hours — before applying a second coat. While you can buff the product almost immediately once it's on to produce a shine, allow it to dry for a least a few hours first for a better finish.