Can You Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner In The Shower? Read before trying! (September 2024)

Eventually, in your cleaning a bathroom journey, you’re going to run out of ordinary cleaner for a shower, and you’re likely wondering if you can use toilet cleaner in the shower. This article will show you that it is unsafe to use toilet cleaner in the shower and give you other possible options.

Can You Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner In The Shower?

No, you cannot use toilet cleaner in the shower. Toilet bowl cleaner is for smaller areas like a toilet bowl. In addition, the chemicals used in a toilet cleaner can cause damage to your skin, emit toxic fumes, stain your grout, and damage your shower stall and plumbing fixtures.

The best thing to use for cleaning a shower is either a grout cleaner or a natural shower cleaner to clean your grout lines and shower stall.

What chemicals are used in toilet bowl cleaners?

There are two main harsh ingredients in a toilet bowl cleaners: hydrochloric acid and chlorine bleach. These are great for removing stubborn stains. However, these chemicals are strong enough to burn the skin or even eat through surfaces like concrete or tile if left on too long.

Bleach

Bleach in toilet cleaner is for its whitening abilities. It has germicidal properties beneficial for cleaning surfaces, but it is corrosive to metal, rubber, and fabrics. Please note, bleach can cause damage to your skin if not properly washed off. It can be dangerous to exposed skin or if it’s inhaled.

Bleach is one of the main reasons for keeping toilet bowl cleaners away from your showers.

Hydrochloric acid

Hydrochloric acid is what removes difficult stains in a toilet bowl and can remove the toilet bowl ring. However, it is highly corrosive, and you should refrain from coming into contact with human tissue. This means that if you get some on you or in your eyes, it will be horrible. It’s great for jobs where you don’t expect to come into contact with skin, but if it does, special precautions should be taken.

These two items work together by having hydrochloric acid remove the tough stains, and bleach whitens the bowl. They are a very effective combination, but they should only be used together in the toilet due to the toxic fumes.

Is Using Toilet Bowl Cleaner In The Shower Safe?

Toilet bowl cleaner is for porcelain-based materials in small areas, and this type of cleaners should be avoided for cleaning showers. This is because your feet and other skin could be exposed to the cleaner and can have a chemical reaction with your skin.

Toilet bowl cleaner contains hydrochloric acid and damages chrome platings such as shower drains, doors, and fixtures.

Can I use bleach in a shower?

Because toilet bowl cleaner contains bleach and hydrochloric acid, the next question is, can I use bleach in the shower. The short answer is no. That’s because using bleach in a small area like a toilet is OK.

However, using bleach in a large area like a shower where the area is closed can lead to inhaling bleach which is dangerous, especially if the bathroom isn’t properly ventilated. We discuss more about using bleach in cleaning bathtubs here.

Using bleach in a shower is not recommended, just like other cleaners that are formulated for specific surfaces; you should never use bleach on the walls or flooring of your shower since it could lead to discoloration or leave stains. Add in the possibility of inhalation, and it’s best to avoid using bleach in a shower.

What should I use to clean the shower?

There are a few options that you can use to clean your shower. Depending on your shower, one of these will do the trick.

Foaming Bubbles

The first one is foaming bubbles. This one has been our go-to for several years. It does a good job coding on the shower walls, and then you rinse it off. That way, you aren’t running the risk of damaging your skin or the shower and its various components.

Vinegar and baking soda

You can also use baking soda and white vinegar to clean the shower. If you want to use a homemade shower cleaner, mix in some warm water and white vinegar and put it in a spray bottle. Use that spray bottle for cleaning the grout in the shower. This vinegar and baking soda mixture can remove any limescale and soap scum buildup that occurs in the shower over time.

Plus, you can wipe it up with some paper towels when you’re done. We still recommend wearing gloves just to be safe. While white vinegar is a natural acidic element, mixed with the wrong elements, it can cause damage.

All-purpose shower cleaner

There are several all-purpose shower cleaners that you can buy at your local supermarket or dollar store.

Cleaning a shower is essential for keeping the bathroom clean and free from mold and mildew. However, as we said earlier in this article, it’s best to avoid toilet cleaners since they damage the shower’s chrome, rubber, and metal components.

However, you can make a homemade cleaner with vinegar and dish soap. You should also check out this article about ways to clean bathtubs. Learn more in our Better Life Cleaner Review.

Shower tile scrubber

Another thing to use is a tile scrubber. This tool has an abrasive pad on one end; this is great for cleaning off tiles, walls, and other surfaces in the shower.

It’s good to use these types of scrubbers in the shower since it doesn’t have any chemicals that can damage or corrode your rubber mats, metal drain cover, or chrome plating.

It also has a long handle, so you don’t have to get on your knees and scrub the shower. It’s a lifesaver if you have a bad back or bad knees.

How To Clean Your Shower

Cleaning your shower will take you less than 20 minutes. Here are the steps:

First, wipe down the shower walls with the cleaning agent of your choice.
Next, wipe down the floor and let it sit for a few minutes or the amount that the instructions tell you.
Lastly, rinse off the cleaner with some warm water.

While you are there, you can also clean the grout lines. You can do this using a water spray bottle mixture of warm water and white vinegar. If you want, you can use a store-bought acid-free grout cleaner. The grout is where all the dirty seems to show the most, so make sure you clean the grout every week.

Can you use toilet bowl cleaner in the shower?

No. For your safety and the safety of your family, you should avoid using toilet bowl cleaner in your shower or anywhere else besides the toilet bowl. This is because the mixture of chemicals in toilet bowl cleaner is designed for certain surfaces and should only be used in toilets.

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