This Is What Happens When You Put Fabuloso In Your Toilet
We can thank TikTok for funny dance videos, beauty ideas, and tons of cleaning hacks. One such hack went viral in 2021, which involves a bottle of the common all-purpose cleaner Fabuloso and your toilet tank. Posted by user @ sheiskd_, the TikTok video has been viewed more than five million times. It promises to make your bathroom smell clean and fresh by allowing your toilet to self-clean with each flush. This means you'll spend less time scrubbing the toilet and are free to do more enjoyable things.
If this sounds a little too good to be true, that's because it might be. Although this hack has exploded in popularity, is it actually safe for your plumbing or will it do more harm than good in the long run? Read on to learn some of the possible repercussions of putting Fabuloso in your toilet tank, and why it might not be such a fabulous idea after all.
What are the risks and dangers?
When no amount of scrubbing seems to get rid of the unsightly hard water stains in your toilet bowl, it's understandable that a fresh wash of blue liquid with each flush would be a much more appealing alternative. However, it's important to keep in mind that all-purpose cleaners like Fabuloso weren't designed for toilet tanks. Because of this, Apartment Therapy warns that the potent chemicals can damage parts made of plastic and rubber, like seals and gaskets, so leaks are more likely. This would happen over a longer period of time, so it isn't as if one bottle of Fabuloso will destroy your tank's innerworkings, but it's still important to keep in mind.
Another problem that could arise is weak flushing. Placing a large bottle of Fabuloso into your tank can displace the normal water levels. Translation? There won't be as much water produced with each flush, so waste is more likely to get stuck. You'll end up reaching for the plunger to get things moving along.
Since the potential complications with Fabuloso outweigh the positives, you may need to steer clear of hacks and stick to a tried-and-true method. Martha Stewart recommends a disinfecting cleaner for the outside of the commode, a bowl-specific cleaner for the inside, some rubber gloves, and a good scrub brush. This is one chore you can't hack your way out of.