Plungers are a great tool that should be in every toilet. After you have used them, they can get quite dirty and smelly though. Let’s take a look at how they can be cleaned after you have used them. This will avoid nasty smells. Plungers can be made out of rubber and plastic, you have to clean them differently.
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Are you supposed to clean a toilet plunger after using it?
Yes, you should clean a plunger after using it. They can come in contact with a lot of dirt and dust. If you store it without cleaning and drying it, your plunger can discolor and get a dirty look. Cleaning it doesn’t take too much time and can make your plunger last longer.
Visitors will often see your plunger if you store it in the toilet. For this reason, it is important that you keep the plunger clean so that you don’t leave a bad impression.
Plungers are often made out of rubber and this material stains quite easily if you don’t take proper care of it. For these reasons, it is important that you clean the plunger after using it.
You can also replace the plunger if it got in some really dirty locations. Plungers are quite cheap and you can find them in most stores so they are easy to replace. Plungers start to degrade after a few years so you should replace them often.
How to clean a plunger
There are a few different ways to clean a plunger, but the method that is most likely to work is as follows:
Inspect the plunger
Inspecting the plunger is the first step. Make sure that there are no cracks or broken pieces. If you see this, you can throw your plunger away as it won’t work that well anymore.
Rinse the plunger off with warm water.
This is a great way to clean your plunger! Just fill up the sink with some warm water, then place the plunger in and let it soak for a little while. Don’t make the water too hot as the rubber might not be able to handle this.
The warm water will help remove any dirt or grime stuck to the plunger, making it much easier to clean. You can also use toilet water if you are unclogging a toilet. It is also possible to use some mild cleaning products. Don’t use harsh products as these can destroy the rubber.
Pour a cup of baking soda in the sink and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
This will help remove any built-up oils, grease, or food particles from the plunger. After the baking soda has had a chance to work, pour a pot of water over the plunger.
Always wear protective gloves when doing this as plungers can be dirty. You should also clean the border of the plunger. This grips itself to the toilet or sink. Make sure that there are no creases in this as this can lower the suction. If you notice that this part is getting weaker, it can be a great idea to replace it as the plunger won’t work that well anymore.
Use soap to remove more stains.
Sometimes a lot of dirt can be built up and you have to do some more cleaning.
1. Pour some soap into the sink and then place the plunger in the vinegar.
2. Let the plunger soak in the soap for a few hours (or overnight if possible).
3. Remove the plunger from the soap and rinse it off with water.
4. If there are any remaining stains or dirt on the plunger, use a toothbrush or cloth to scrub them off.
Don’t use vinegar or mix the vinegar with baking soda. This well creates bubbles and a reaction. This can be too harsh for your plunger as the rubber is quite sensitive. If the plunger is made out of plastic, vinegar should work just fine.
A plunger is your best friend when it comes to clogged sinks and toilets. The plunger creates suction and pressure, which can dislodge most blockages. If it is dirty it will be less effective. If there are still stains, you can use vinegar to get them removed from the plunger.
Move the rubber piece
Plungers can be folded. Somtimes dirt gets under the rubber. You can remove this by folding the rubber and checking that no dirt is left under it. Most people don’t realize this and leave some dirt on it. Just use your hands to do this. Don’t use sharp objects to do this as the rubber can get creases and damage. This can make it work less well.
Plastic plungers are getting more popular. They also have folds that you can open and close.
Remove the handle
Sometimes you can remove the handle from the plunger. This can make it easier to clean it thoroughly. Dirt can get everywhere and you want to make sure that you get it all. It is not always possible to do this and depends on the design of the product.
Dry the plunger
Dry off the plunger with a cloth or paper towel and store it somewhere safe until you need it again. You can also let it dry in the sun. Just make sure that the plunger doesn’t get too hot. Shaking it can work as well but given that the droplets can be quite dirty, it is best to do this outside. Make sure that no water is dripping from it when you place it back in its holder. This can create nasty stains on your floor.
Get a new plunger
Plungers should be replaced frequently. Especially if you have used them in a lot of dirt, it can be a great idea to replace them. This makes sure that you keep things clean. It can be a great idea to replace a plunger at least every year. They are not that expensive and cleaning them a lot can damage them. There are more expensive plungers that can offer more pressure and can remove bigger clogs.
You can also consider getting an auger. This allows you to go deeper inside the toilet. This can solve even more clogs. Augers are harder to use than a plunger though. You won’t fix every problem with it but a lot of plumbers use an auger and it can work in a lot of situations. Sometimes you need water pressure to get a clog moving. This can be done by using your pressure washer.
Different types of plungers
There are a few different types of plungers that you might find in your home. The most common is the sink plunger, designed to create a suction seal around the drain to clear clogs. There’s also the toilet plunger, which has a flange on the bottom that fits around the opening of the toilet bowl.
Each type of plunger is designed for a specific purpose, so it’s important to use the right one for the job. Toilets are also dirtier than sinks so don’t intermix both. Most people only have one plunger but you should at least have two. This keeps your house clean and makes sure that you get the best results. It would be a shame to spend a lot on a plumber just because you didn’t get the right plunger.
If you don’t enjoy using a plunger, you can get a rubber bladder to unclog sinks. This is connected to a garden hose. It expands after a while and this increases the pressure that can remove clogs. This can be easier to use than a plunger as you don’t have to apply pressure yourself.
To conclude, we have discussed some ways to clean a plunger. This is really important as they can be dirty and smelly after you have used them. It is quite easy to clean it though. Just wear gloves and make sure that it is completely clean.
How do you hide a toilet plunger?
Some toilet plungers come with a plastic stand. This makes it easy to hide as there is also a compartment for the toilet brush. Most people store a plunger in a closet nearby though as you don’t need it that often.
Given that plungers can be quite dirty, it is important that you keep them separate from other items and clean them properly.
You can also get a toilet plunger in the same color as your walls. This will make it less obvious that one is standing next to the toilet.
Plungers have to be replaced often so it can be a good idea to throw them away once it gets dirty.
Toilet plungers come in different sizes. Some are even foldable. This makes it easier to store it away but might be less powerful. If you have a bigger plunger, you might have to store it in a closet.
Some plungers even come in a stylish case, making them a nice accessory in your bathroom.
Every toilet should have a plunger next to it. We have outlined some options to make sure that you can make it less obvious that there is one there.
Where should plungers be stored?
Toilet plungers should be stored near the toilet. This makes it easier to use them if needed. It is best to store them in a closet without other items as plungers can be quite dirty.
Plungers are quite tall so you need a closet that is big enough.
Most people throw away their plunger after a few uses to replace it with a clean and new one. Toilet plungers can smell after a while. This can be a good moment to get a new one.
Plungers can be stored in a dedicated case. Most plungers don’t have this though. Looking around for a model that has a special stand can make things easier.
You can store it in a cool and dark place to ensure that the rubber doesn’t break or deform. It is best to store it near the toilet so that you can fix problems quite fast.
Don’t store the plunger next to the toilet if you don’t have a case for it as it can leave stains on the floor. Especially if the plunger hasn’t been cleaned, this can lead to dirty spots.
That being said, if you need to use a plunger often, you might have to call a plumber. It is possible that the drains are not properly installed or that there is another problem with your drains (such as a lack of venting).
