Many people use ice cubes to keep their beverages cool. So unless you’re a dog that drinks out of the toilet, it’s hard to imagine why you’d ever fill up the toilet bowl with ice. But there is one good reason, and it has nothing to do with staying hydrated. Some savvy individuals use ice…
Ice Ice Baby
Before we explain why it works, let’s talk about how easy it is to use this method. First, fill up the toilet bowl with enough ice cubes to go above the water line. Then, add whatever cleaning product you normally use, whether it’s a powder, liquid, or gel. Apply the cleaning product to the sides of the bowl, and then sprinkle or drizzle a bit of it over the ice as well. Let it sit for a few minutes (check the product label for the recommended time). If the ice melts too quickly, go ahead and add a few more cubes. Then, grab your toilet brush and move the icy slurry of cleaning fluids around the bowl for roughly 30 seconds.
Once you’ve finished scrubbing, flush the ice down the toilet. A word to the wise: Only use small cubes that can easily clear the trapway. Using crushed ice or cubes from a small ice tray should work just fine. Never use chunks of ice or oversized cubes that could potentially block or damage the drain pipe, or else you risk major plumbing issues.
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The Cold, Hard Facts
Now that you know how to use this method, let’s discuss why it’s so effective. The idea is that ice slows the flow of liquid, which gives your cleaning product more time to stick to the sides of the bowl. Without the ice, the cleaner would quickly slip below the water line and dissolve, long before it could effectively break down any stains. The ice also acts as a mild abrasive while you scrub, helping to dislodge any grime.
By adding ice to the bowl, you make the cleaning product into a thick slurry that effectively coats the stains for a longer time. This allows the chemicals to work their magic before being flushed away. Plus, the cold temperature of the ice cools the bowl, which lessens unpleasant odors that may otherwise thrive in warm, humid environments.
