You have a wooden toilet seat in your bathroom then you need to be extra careful cleaning it. It houses excessive moisture and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Do you know that bacteria do not just remain on the surface, it can be absorbed into the seat?
If you use disinfecting products that contain bleach, they can make your wooden toilet sear look unattractive. Also, it can lead to painful rashes on kids. Wood is a delicate surface, and you cannot clean a wooden toilet seat the same way you do your plastic or porcelain seat. Then what can I use to clean a wooden toilet seat? Let’s have a look!
How To Care For A Wooden Toilet Seat?
The toilet is one of the most patronized areas of a home, and if it is dirty, you do not even want to enter it. It is highly important to keep your wooden toilet seat clean as too much moisture tends to destroy any type of wood. The wood is porous, so you can’t just simply wipe down the wooden toilet seat with a cleaner as you do with a plastic seat.
You need to take extra care of the cleaning of your wooden toilet seat, which is not that difficult. There are three steps involved in taking care of a wooden toilet seat:
- Cleaning:
Make sure that you remove all the stains from the seat. Your toilet set should be clean all the time.
- Disinfecting:
The wood seat can absorb any liquid, which means it retains germs and bacteria. So, it is highly essential to kill these germs and bacteria.
- Protecting:
Cracks and crevices are the perfect places for bacterial to hide, so make sure there are no cracks in the seat. Keep the wood in good shape, and if it gets cracks over time, replace the wood seat.
Cleaning products that are harmful to wooden toilet seats:
Your toilet seat is the part of the toilet that comes that comes into contact with you the most so, maintaining the cleanliness of your toilet is of utmost importance. But some cleaning products can harm than doing any good. Just remember that wood is a delicate material that cannot stand up to harsh cleaning products you normally use for your plastic toilet seat.
So, you should be aware of the products that are harmful to wooden toilet seats. Here are a few products you should avoid:
- Vinegar:
Vinegar is thought to be a more natural and environmental-friendly cleaning product. In fact, for many households, it is ideal for cleaning, be it removing the stain from carpet or toilet. But the fact is it can be harmful to your toilet. Since it is an acid, it can ruin the wooden toilet seat by removing the surface. You don’t want your toilet seat to look like an old one, then make sure you do not clean it with vinegar.
- Bleach:
Another product that can cause harm to your wooden toilet seat is the bleach. You do not want to have a discolored toilet seat then never use bleach to clean it. It bleaches the color out of your wooden toilet seat, and it becomes discolored. Also, it removes the protective coating of the seat. So, make sure you do not use bleach to clean your wood toilet seat; otherwise, you will have a discolored seat.
- Abrasive cleaners:
Never think of using abrasive cleaners as they do the double harm to your wooden toilet seat. They contain bleach that removes or lightens the color of the wood. Also, these cleaners have abrasive nature of powder that will remove the protective coating of the seat. As a result, you will have to think about replacing your toilet seat.
Cleaning products you can use to clean disinfect and protect your toilet seat:
Taking good care of a toilet seat is necessary as you do not keep replacing it again and again. So, here are a few products you can use to take care of your wooden toilet seat:
- Dish soap:
You wouldn’t believe that the best product to clean your wooden toilet seat is a mild detergent such as dish soap. Use hot soapy water to clean up all the urine stains or splashes. Wipe it down with a soft cloth or sponge and then rinse. Isn’t it easy to clean your toilet seat with dish soap that, too, without damaging the surface?
- Murphy’s oil soap:
You can use Murphy’s oil soap too to clean your toilet seat. It is not anti-bacterial, though. So, you need to use a disinfecting product also. It can clean and protect the wooden surface of your toilet seat.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Solution:
Have you ever hear about the hydrogen peroxide solution? It can be used to clean your wooden toilet seat. It has the ability to kill bacteria and mold by damaging their cell walls. You can use this solution straight from the bottle. You can also mix it with water for a dilated solution. Leave the solution on the toilet seat surface for a few minutes and rinse water. After that, you can wipe it with a clean cloth. It is indeed the best way to clean wooden toilet seat to prevent discoloration.
Tips on caring for a wooden toilet seat:
The toilet is the place where you spend most of your time. Just kidding! You should make sure that your toilet is always clean, and there are no bacteria in it. How many times have you felt embarrassed due to the urine stains in the seat?
Do you feel embarrassed due to the discolored seat when some guests come over and need to use the bathroom? Stop using the chemicals that can ruin the surface of your wooden toilet seat and make it look like a thousand year’s old one.
Here are some tips that can help you keeping your wood toilet seat clean:
- Keep it dry:
Do you know that damp surfaces are ideal for mold growth and bacteria? You should never leave the lid down if the surface is wet. Do not leave water or any cleaning products for too long on the surface. If you are using a hydrogen peroxide solution for cleaning the toilet seat, do not leave it for a longer period. Wipe it dry and leave the lid up, allowing the airflow to dry the wood.
- Replace the cracked seats:
Small cracks are the ideal place for bacteria and fungus to hide. Also, they can cause painful pinches while using it. So, take care of your toilet seat so that it does not have any cracks. But it is a fact that sometimes even after taking the best care toilet seats to crack. Replace the seat immediately if you find any cracks in it.
- Take care of the hardware:
Make sure that you clean the hardware of the seat too. Do not let bacteria and mold thrive in any of the parts of the seat. Use the cleaning solutions that can reach all the nooks and crannies. If the bumpers under the toilet seat have become discolored or break down, replace them immediately.
Examine the nuts and bolts of the seat to make sure that they are in proper working order. Tighten the hinges if they appear loose. Keep examining the toilet seat to make sure that it is in good condition.
Conclusion:
Most toilet seats are made of plastic, but wooden toilet seats are also a popular choice. Wood toilet seat not only adds a touch of class to your bathroom but also are comfortable to sit on in winter as they don’ get cold. But the problem is they can be easily damaged if you use the wrong cleaning products. But if you look after your wood toilet seat properly, it can last for many years. So, be careful while choosing the cleaning solution for your wood toilet seat.
