When it comes to keeping a home spick and span, many of us focus on the usual suspects: the kitchen benchtops, the living room carpet, and the bathroom mirror.

But seasoned cleaning enthusiasts and professionals have let us in on a little secret—there's a less obvious spot that reveals the true cleanliness of a home, and it's in the bathroom.

The spot in question? The back of the toilet. Yes, you read that correctly. It turns out that this often-overlooked area can be the ultimate litmus test for household hygiene.

Why the back of the toilet, you ask? Well, it's simple. This area tends to accumulate dust and grime due to constant condensation and is not usually on the regular cleaning roster for most people.

As a result, a spotless toilet back is a sign that someone is not just cleaning, but cleaning thoroughly.

‘This is where you determine if someone is clean or not,' a woman wrote online.

Reddit users were initially confused by the post, thinking that the comment on cleanliness was meant to be taken as a joke. Image Source: Reddit / @robburb29

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This caused confusion online, as many were unaware of the importance of cleaning the exterior of their toilets.

However, she's not alone in her assessment. Many cleaning aficionados agree that a pristine toilet back is the hallmark of a truly clean and hygienic person.

On average, a toilet bowl contains 3.2 million bacteria per square inch. Image Source: Pexels / Karolina Grabowska

In a previous article, we wrote:, ‘t's advisable to clean the exterior of the toilet akin to the interior, starting with dusting, followed by applying disinfectant, allowing it sufficient time to work, and then wiping the surface clean.’

Other toilet-cleaning posts online contain similar lines of thought, with discussions sparking a mix of admiration and commiseration.

Some users are in awe of the sparkling toilet backs they've seen, while others share their daily battles to keep this area clean, especially those with young children or pets.

'I have two young sons. I'm battling that area every day,' a mum lamented.

Even professionals in the cleaning industry can attest to the challenge.

One shared, 'When I was a housekeeper at a museum, my supervisor told me to make sure this spot is always clean. I would have to wipe it down multiple times a day. They're never clean!'

For our senior readers, maintaining a clean home is not just about aesthetics; it's also about health. Dust and grime can harbour allergens and bacteria, which are particularly concerning for those with compromised immune systems or respiratory issues.

So, while it might seem like a small detail, keeping the back of your toilet clean can contribute to a healthier living environment.

Source: YouTube / Bunnings Warehouse​

If you're now considering a bathroom deep-clean, remember to use safe and effective cleaning products. You can also check out our cleaning experts’ tips for a tidy throne.

For those with mobility issues, there are tools available that can help you reach these tricky spots without straining yourself.

And if you're not up to the task, there's no shame in enlisting the help of a family member, friend, or professional cleaning service.

Key Takeaways

• Cleaning enthusiasts emphasise the importance of keeping the back of the toilet spotless as a true indicator of a clean household.
• Regular cleaning of the toilet's lower areas is advised due to dust accumulation from constant condensation.
• Clean the exterior of the toilet akin to the interior is advised, starting with dusting, followed by applying disinfectant, allowing it sufficient time to work, and then wiping the surface clean.
• Other people highlighted the challenges of maintaining a spotless toilet, with comments from parents and professionals illustrating the continuous effort required, especially in households with pets or children.

So, next time you're giving your home a once-over, don't forget to peek behind the porcelain throne. It might just be the secret to a truly clean home. And for those who've mastered the art of a spotless toilet back, we salute you—you're the unsung heroes of home hygiene.

Do you have any cleaning tips or secrets that you swear by? Or perhaps a cleaning challenge you'd like to share? Drop us a comment below and let's get the conversation started!

 

[MariaG]

The rest of the house can look like rubbish, but all is well if the back of the loo is clean.
They can go whistle as far as I'm concerned. I don't have a back of the loo. It's flush (excuse the pun), against the wall.
Now I'll go on the the next exciting piece of rocket science in action.

 

[Barbara V]

Now we're being told how to clean a toilet,I've always cleaned behind mine how can you forget !

 

[Nichola]

The rest of the house can look like rubbish, but all is well if the back of the loo is clean.
They can go whistle as far as I'm concerned. I don't have a back of the loo. It's flush (excuse the pun), against the wall.
Now I'll go on the the next exciting piece of rocket science in action.

Same here. It's good because there isn't actually a space that can trap dust and germs. Much easier to clean.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Yes, I also changed the toilets in my house to the ones that go flush against the wall, so much easier to keep clean.I have been in my current home for about two and half years. In all this time I have not been able to get soap scum off the stone shower base. It was like the stones had soaked it all in. I tried everything I could think of, no luck.
Last week I sprayed them with
"Joop" a product used for removing glue residue and sticky substances. Yippee it worked. Not 100% yet but a great improvement, doing a second time today.
Bunnings have a similar product, just called glue and sticky mess cleaner, or something like that.

 

[maherdj]

Does anyone know how to clean non slip bathroom floor tiles, every 3 months I have to use a scrubber on my cordless drill. It's very difficult to get stains out of the tiles and my son works off shore for one month so only me living here half the year and I don't go out and play in mud and bring dirt in.

 

[MariaG]

Yes, I also changed the toilets in my house to the ones that go flush against the wall, so much easier to keep clean.I have been in my current home for about two and half years. In all this time I have not been able to get soap scum off the stone shower base. It was like the stones had soaked it all in. I tried everything I could think of, no luck.
Last week I sprayed them with
"Joop" a product used for removing glue residue and sticky substances. Yippee it worked. Not 100% yet but a great improvement, doing a second time today.
Bunnings have a similar product, just called glue and sticky mess cleaner, or something like that.

Makes you wonder what is in our water, and/or, soap products.
Since I started using SLS free products and wiping over the walls and screen after every shower, I have had no problems. No more scrubbing and frustrations. I'm glad you managed to the stone free of scum. Can do your head in when nothing seems to work.

 

[marni]

Yes, I also changed the toilets in my house to the ones that go flush against the wall, so much easier to keep clean.I have been in my current home for about two and half years. In all this time I have not been able to get soap scum off the stone shower base. It was like the stones had soaked it all in. I tried everything I could think of, no luck.
Last week I sprayed them with
"Joop" a product used for removing glue residue and sticky substances. Yippee it worked. Not 100% yet but a great improvement, doing a second time today.
Bunnings have a similar product, just called glue and sticky mess cleaner, or something like that.

I use the stain remover (any brand ) I use the purple one from Aldi. Just a spray and leave five minutes use the loo brush and all gone Others swear by vinegar