Is It Safe to Put Vinegar and Baking Soda in a Toilet? What It Does, What It Does Not, and How to Avoid Damage

Essential Concepts

• Yes, it is usually safe to use household-strength vinegar and baking soda in a toilet bowl when they are used alone or in sequence and then rinsed away.
• The fizz is carbon dioxide gas, created when a weak acid (vinegar) meets a mild base (baking soda), leaving mostly water and a dissolved salt (sodium acetate). (labsci.stanford.edu)
• The bubbling action looks dramatic but is not a disinfecting event. It mainly helps loosen and lift soils so you can brush them away.
• Do not mix vinegar with chlorine bleach or bleach-based cleaners. Acid plus hypochlorite can release chlorine gas, which can injure lungs and eyes. (CDC)
• Do not mix vinegar with hydrogen peroxide in the same container. That combination can form peracetic acid, a corrosive irritant. (US EPA)
• Vinegar can reduce some germs but does not kill them all at common household strength, so it should not be treated as a dependable disinfectant for bathrooms. (The Nutrition Source)
• Baking soda is a mild abrasive. It can help with light staining, but aggressive scrubbing can dull a glossy glaze over time.
• Repeated long soaks in acid can stress some non-porcelain parts (certain metals, rubbers, and finishes), especially in older fixtures or where protective coatings are worn.
• For septic systems, moderate household use is generally low risk, and vinegar and baking soda are often described as less hazardous options than harsher cleaners. (University of Vermont)
• If you smell sharp, choking fumes, stop immediately, ventilate, and leave the area. That is a warning sign of an unsafe chemical interaction. (CDC)

Background or Introduction

Many homeowners reach for vinegar and baking soda because they are familiar, inexpensive, and widely considered gentle. Bathrooms, and toilets in particular, also feel like a place where “stronger must be better,” which can tempt people into risky chemical mixing.

The central question is simple: is it safe to put vinegar and baking soda in a toilet? The best answer is “usually, with limits.” Safety depends on what is already in the bowl, what materials you are cleaning, and what you expect the mixture to accomplish.

This article explains what happens chemically, what kinds of toilet problems this method can address, where it tends to fail, and what safety rules matter most. It also clarifies the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting so you can match your method to your goal instead of relying on fizz and hope.

Is it safe to put vinegar and baking soda in the toilet bowl?

In most homes, household-strength vinegar and baking soda are safe for the porcelain bowl when used sensibly and rinsed away. They are not inherently dangerous to combine with each other in open air, and the reaction products are generally low hazard in the small quantities used for household cleaning. (labsci.stanford.edu)

The main safety problems come from two situations:

1. Mixing vinegar with other cleaners that were already applied, especially chlorine bleach or bleach-based bathroom products.
2. Using the method in a way that encourages damage, such as long, repeated acid soaks on sensitive parts, or aggressive abrasive scrubbing that dulls a glossy finish.

If you want a one-sentence rule: vinegar and baking soda can be a reasonable cleaning approach for a toilet bowl, but they should be treated as a mild chemical method paired with mechanical brushing, not as a “stronger-than-it-looks” chemical shortcut.

What happens when vinegar and baking soda meet in a toilet?

They react immediately, fizz, and then the chemical reaction largely finishes. That is the short version. The longer version is useful because it explains why the method sometimes helps and sometimes disappoints.

What is the chemical reaction?

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃). Vinegar is a water solution of acetic acid (CH₃COOH), commonly around household strength. When they meet in water, the acid-base reaction produces carbon dioxide gas (CO₂), water (H₂O), and sodium acetate (CH₃COONa) dissolved in the remaining liquid. (labsci.stanford.edu)

A commonly cited overall reaction is:

NaHCO₃ + CH₃COOH → CO₂ + H₂O + CH₃COONa (labsci.stanford.edu)

The fizz you see is carbon dioxide escaping as bubbles. That bubbling can agitate soils, dislodge particles, and lift some debris. But the reaction itself is not a “power cleaner.” It is primarily neutralization plus agitation.

Why does it look more powerful than it is?

The reaction is visually loud. Cleaning performance is often quiet. People tend to assume that vigorous bubbling means vigorous chemical action against grime. In reality, the fizz mainly shows that the acid and base are consuming each other. Once they neutralize, you are left with a solution that is typically closer to neutral than vinegar alone, and less alkaline than baking soda alone.

If you use large excesses of one ingredient, the leftover strength comes from the excess, not from the fizz. A science-based breakdown of this common cleaning “hack” notes that typical home mixtures often leave most of one ingredient unreacted after the fizz subsides, which means the final mixture is not a balanced new cleaner so much as a leftover acid or leftover base plus a salt solution. (ABC)

Does the bubbling unclog toilets?

Sometimes it can help with minor, soft obstructions near the trapway, mainly by agitation and by loosening surface buildup so it moves. But it is unreliable for true clogs.

A toilet clog can be caused by many different things: too much paper, non-dispersible materials, hardened buildup narrowing the internal passages, or an obstruction deeper in the drain line. The vinegar-and-baking-soda reaction does not dissolve most solid obstructions, and it does not create sustained pressure. It creates a short burst of gas that escapes quickly.

If you are dealing with a clog that persists, the safest next step is usually mechanical: a plunger designed for toilets or an appropriate auger. Chemical approaches are not automatically safer and can complicate later work if they remain in the bowl or line.

What does vinegar and baking soda actually clean in a toilet?

It can help with some soils, especially mineral and organic films that respond to mild acidity and gentle abrasion. It is less effective on heavy mineral scale, deep staining, or problems that require disinfecting.

What soils are common in toilet bowls?

Toilets collect several categories of residue:

• Mineral scale from hard water, often calcium-based deposits that build at the waterline, under the rim, and in jet openings.
• Organic residue from normal use, including films that hold odor.
• Biofilm, a thin layer of microorganisms and organic matter that can cling to wet surfaces.
• Staining from minerals, such as iron or manganese in water, which can leave colored marks that behave differently from simple scale.
• Soap and cleaner residue, which can combine with minerals and form dulling films.

Vinegar helps mainly because it is acidic. Acids can dissolve or weaken certain mineral deposits, especially those based on carbonates. Baking soda helps mainly because it is mildly abrasive and can help lift residue when brushed.

What problems is the method most likely to improve?

It is most likely to help with:

• Light mineral haze and early scale.
• Mild odor sources that are tied to residue rather than plumbing venting.
• General bowl film that responds to brushing once it is loosened.
• Small, soft accumulations near the waterline.

The key is that chemical loosening still needs mechanical removal. A toilet brush does most of the real work.

What problems is it unlikely to solve?

It is often disappointing for:

• Thick, hardened mineral scale that has built up over months or years.
• Heavy staining from iron-rich water or other metal-related discoloration.
• Stains embedded in a scratched or worn glaze.
• Odors that come from the wax seal, venting problems, or buildup outside the bowl.
• Situations where you need reliable disinfection.

If you use vinegar and baking soda and the bowl looks the same afterward, it does not mean the method was “done wrong.” It often means the problem is not a good match for mild acidity and gentle abrasion.

Does vinegar and baking soda disinfect a toilet?

Not in any dependable, standards-based way. It can clean. It can reduce some microorganisms indirectly. But it should not be treated as a reliable disinfecting system.

Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are not the same

These words get used interchangeably, but they refer to different goals.

• Cleaning means removing visible soil and a large portion of germs by physical removal. You lower germ counts mainly by wiping and rinsing.
• Sanitizing typically means reducing germs to a level considered safer by public health standards. This usually depends on a product’s tested performance and correct contact time.
• Disinfecting means killing a broad range of microorganisms on a surface using a product and method that have been tested for that purpose, again with specific contact times.

In household bathrooms, cleaning often handles routine needs. Disinfection is most relevant after illness, for certain high-touch surfaces, or when you have a reason to suspect higher risk.

What can vinegar do to germs?

Household vinegar contains acetic acid, which can kill or inhibit some organisms under certain conditions. But common household strength does not kill all pathogens, and it should not be treated as a substitute for a product that is intended and tested for disinfection. A food-science reference notes that vinegar at typical household strength can kill some pathogens but not all, and it is not recommended as a replacement for commercial disinfectants. (The Nutrition Source)

Research assessing household sanitizing formulations has also found that vinegar can reduce microbial populations but may not achieve reductions considered appropriate for sanitizing in more demanding contexts. (VTechWorks)

Why the vinegar-and-baking-soda combination is even less “disinfecting”

When vinegar reacts with baking soda, you neutralize a portion of the acetic acid. That reduces acidity, and acidity is the main driver of vinegar’s antimicrobial action. If you want to use vinegar for whatever antimicrobial benefit it can provide, combining it with baking soda works against that goal.

That does not mean the combination is “dangerous.” It means the combination is not a logical disinfecting strategy. It is primarily a cleaning strategy.

Can vinegar or baking soda damage a toilet?

They can, under the wrong conditions. Most damage concerns are about finish wear, material compatibility, and repeated exposure, not instant destruction.

Will vinegar damage a porcelain toilet bowl?

Porcelain toilet bowls are typically coated with a fired, glass-like glaze designed to be hard, smooth, and relatively chemically resistant in normal bathroom use. That glaze is generally tolerant of mild acids for short contact times. Standards and test methods exist specifically to assess chemical and acid resistance of ceramic and enamel surfaces, reflecting that resistance varies by formulation and firing, but that these materials can be engineered to resist acids under defined conditions. (ISO)

Still, “generally tolerant” is not the same as “immune.” Risk increases when:

• Vinegar is left to sit for long periods repeatedly.
• The glaze is already worn, scratched, or crazed (fine surface cracking).
• Decorative or specialty surface treatments are present.
• Abrasive scrubbing removes the smoothness that makes the glaze easy to clean.

A practical takeaway is simple: short contact, gentle brushing, thorough rinsing is low risk. Long, repeated soaks paired with aggressive scrubbing is where avoidable wear happens.

Can baking soda scratch or dull the bowl?

Baking soda is often described as a mild abrasive. “Mild” depends on pressure, tool choice, and the surface condition. A smooth glaze can tolerate gentle abrasion better than a glaze that is already micro-scratched.

Problems arise when you:

• Scrub hard with a stiff brush or abrasive pad.
• Focus aggressively on one area to chase a stain that is actually embedded.
• Combine baking soda with other abrasives.

If you dull the glaze, the bowl can become harder to keep clean because soils cling more readily to microscopic roughness.

What about toilet seats, hinges, and non-porcelain parts?

Many toilet-related parts are not porcelain:

• Toilet seats are often plastic or wood composites.
• Hinges and bolts can be metal.
• Internal parts include rubber or synthetic seals.
• Some toilets have specialty coatings intended to reduce staining.

Vinegar is a weak acid at household strength, but acids can still contribute to corrosion of certain metals and can stress some rubber formulations over time, especially with prolonged exposure and higher concentrations. Compatibility depends on the exact material, which is rarely labeled in a way that helps a homeowner.

This is why the safest practice is to treat vinegar as a bowl cleaner, not an all-fixture soak, and to wipe spills off nearby metal and finishes. It is also why “leave it overnight” advice should be used cautiously. Overnight contact is not automatically unsafe, but repeated long soaks increase the chance that you are testing the least resistant part of the system.

Can vinegar harm the wax ring?

The wax ring is not usually exposed to bowl cleaning solutions if the toilet is functioning normally, because the ring is under the toilet base and outside the bowl’s water path. But if a toilet is leaking at the base, cleaning liquids can migrate. In that case, the main issue is the leak itself, not the cleaning method.

What about bathroom flooring and grout?

Vinegar can interact poorly with some stone surfaces and some grout or sealants, depending on composition. Even when the toilet bowl is fine, splashes onto surrounding materials can create etching or dull spots. If you are unsure what your floor or baseboard material is, it is safer to minimize splashing and wipe up drips promptly.

Is it safe to put vinegar and baking soda in the toilet tank?

Usually, it is not a good idea. The tank contains working parts and seals. You also do not want residues that interfere with moving components.

The tank environment is different from the bowl:

• Parts include rubber seals, valves, and floats.
• Metal fasteners and washers may be present.
• Water sits longer, which increases exposure time.
• Some cleaners can degrade parts and cause leaks or failure.

If you want to clean the tank, the safer approach is typically mechanical cleaning with water and a non-abrasive method, keeping chemicals minimal and fully rinsing. If you use vinegar for mineral deposits, avoid prolonged soaking of rubber components and flush thoroughly. The bowl is more forgiving than the tank.

Can vinegar and baking soda harm plumbing?

In most modern homes, small, occasional use in a toilet bowl is unlikely to damage drain piping. The bigger risk is not pipe failure from these ingredients, but the complications of misuse and unsafe mixing.

What drain materials are common?

Residential drain lines may include plastic pipe, cast iron, or other materials depending on age and renovation history. Household-strength vinegar is a mild acid and is generally less aggressive than many commercial acid-based cleaners. But “less aggressive” is not “never a problem.”

Risk increases with:

• Very frequent use as a primary method for drain issues.
• Long dwell times in a line with little water to dilute.
• Older metal piping that is already corroded.
• Situations where the mixture is used repeatedly in an attempt to “fix” a clog.

If your goal is routine bowl cleaning, the mixture largely goes down with a flush and is diluted. If your goal is drain treatment, repeated chemical approaches can become a cycle that delays a mechanical solution.

Can it cause a clog by itself?

It can, in limited ways. Pouring large amounts of powder into a wet environment can form clumps. If those clumps lodge in narrow passages, they can contribute to slow draining. This is more likely if you use a lot of baking soda without enough water flow to disperse it.

Used in modest amounts and followed by flushing, that risk is low. Still, “more” is not “better,” particularly with powders in plumbing.

Is it safe for septic systems?

For many households, modest use of vinegar and baking soda is generally compatible with septic systems, and they are often described as less hazardous alternatives to harsher household chemicals. (University of Vermont)

That said, septic performance depends on balance. You want stable conditions for microbial digestion, reasonable water use, and avoidance of dumping harmful substances.

What matters most for septic health?

A septic tank is an onsite wastewater treatment system. It relies on anaerobic microorganisms to break down waste before water flows out to the drainfield. (US EPA)

Key practical points:

• Normal household cleaning use is usually manageable.
• Large, repeated doses of strong disinfectants or harsh chemicals can suppress beneficial bacteria.
• Undiluted or excessive bleach is a well-known example of something that can reduce bacteria populations, especially if used heavily or without dilution. (Purdue University – Extension)

In that context, mild acids and mild bases used in ordinary cleaning amounts are generally less disruptive than heavy disinfection routines. But any chemical can become a problem if used in excessive quantities.

Does the reaction product matter?

Vinegar and baking soda leave sodium acetate in solution. Acetate is widely present in natural systems and is generally biodegradable. Environmental assessments and safety summaries note that acetate and acetic acid can break down in water environments and are not typically high-toxicity concerns at low concentrations, though context and concentration always matter. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

For a homeowner, the practical meaning is limited: routine bowl cleaning is not a major septic threat. The larger risks usually come from flushing non-degradable items, overloading water, or chronic chemical misuse.

What are the real safety risks when using vinegar and baking soda in a toilet?

The most important risks are not about vinegar plus baking soda. They are about vinegar plus other products, especially bleach.

Why bleach and vinegar are dangerous together

Household chlorine bleach often contains sodium hypochlorite. When hypochlorite solutions contact acids, they can release chlorine gas. (CDC)

Public health and chemical safety materials consistently warn against mixing bleach with acids, including vinegar, because of this gas release and the respiratory and eye hazards that can follow. (Washington State Department of Health)

Chlorine gas exposure can cause coughing, burning eyes, chest tightness, and breathing difficulty. It is heavier than air and can concentrate in low areas, which matters in small bathrooms. (CDC)

Why “I did not mix them in the same bottle” is not enough

You do not need to deliberately combine products in a container to create a hazardous reaction. You can create it by applying one product after another in the same bowl, especially if the first product has not been thoroughly flushed away.

This is a common pathway to accidental exposure: residual bleach in the bowl, followed by vinegar added later. If you do not know what was used last, treat the bowl as potentially contaminated and flush multiple times before adding any acid.

Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide: a different hazard

Mixing vinegar (acetic acid) and hydrogen peroxide can form peracetic acid, which is used industrially as a disinfectant but is corrosive and irritating in ways that are not appropriate for casual household mixing. (US EPA)

The key point is not that a tiny accidental overlap will instantly create disaster. The key point is that deliberately combining them in a container, or using them in ways that keep them together, is an unnecessary risk.

What about ammonia?

Ammonia is another common cleaning ingredient. Bleach plus ammonia can form chloramine gases. That is separate from vinegar and baking soda, but it matters because many bathroom products contain ingredients that are not obvious from their scent or marketing language. This is why label awareness and “one product at a time” is such a strong safety rule. (Washington State Department of Health)

How to use vinegar and baking soda in a toilet more safely

Used with basic precautions, this can be a low-risk way to clean a bowl. The goal is to minimize material stress and avoid chemical interactions.

Safety rules that matter most

• Use one chemical approach at a time. Do not layer products.
• Assume the bowl may contain residue if anyone recently cleaned it.
• Ventilate the bathroom. Open a window or run an exhaust fan.
• Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin or any cuts.
• Avoid splashing onto metal, finished wood, or unknown flooring materials.
• Rinse thoroughly. Multiple flushes are often the simplest rinse.

A practical, non-recipe method

If your goal is bowl cleaning and light scale:

1. Flush once so the bowl is wet and the waterline is refreshed.
2. Apply vinegar to the bowl surface you want to treat, focusing on mineral areas.
3. Allow short contact time so acidity can soften deposits, then brush.
4. If you want mild abrasion, add baking soda to the brush or to the wet surface and scrub gently.
5. Flush to rinse, then brush again briefly if needed.

This approach avoids turning the whole process into a single neutralized slurry. It also keeps the method aligned with how these materials help: vinegar for mild acid softening, baking soda for gentle abrasion, brushing for removal.

When longer contact time might help, and when it might not

Longer contact time can help with mineral scale because acids often need time to dissolve deposits. But longer contact time also increases the chance of contacting sensitive parts or finishes and increases the chance that someone else adds another cleaner later.

If you choose longer contact time:

• Use it sparingly.
• Keep the bathroom ventilated.
• Keep other products out of reach so no one “adds something else.”
• Rinse thoroughly afterward.

How long should vinegar sit in a toilet?

There is no single correct answer because deposit thickness, water chemistry, and glaze condition vary. In general, short contact time plus brushing is the safest starting point. If deposits persist, longer contact time may help, but repeated long soaks are where material and finish concerns increase.

A conservative approach is incremental: start short, brush, inspect, repeat if needed. If you find yourself repeating frequently with little progress, the method is probably not a good match for the deposit type.

Does vinegar help with hard water stains in a toilet?

It can, especially for early-stage mineral scale. Vinegar is acidic, and many hard water deposits are carbonate-based and respond to acids. However, not all stains are simple carbonate scale. Iron-related stains and deep, aged scale can resist mild acids.

If vinegar improves the deposit but does not remove it fully, that often means the scale is thick or the deposit is not purely carbonate. In those cases, relying on vinegar alone can become a high-effort, low-return routine that increases scrubbing wear.

What about the jets under the rim?

Buildup under the rim and in jet openings is common, especially in hard water areas. Vinegar can help loosen some of that buildup, but access is difficult. Brushing under the rim helps, but it does not always reach deep into openings.

If the toilet has reduced flushing performance and you suspect jet restriction, the best solution may involve methods beyond simple bowl cleaning. It is also a situation where you should be cautious about adding repeated chemicals without understanding where they are going, since jet pathways connect to internal channels.

Can vinegar and baking soda remove toilet odor?

They can reduce odor when the odor is coming from residue in the bowl or under the rim. Odor often correlates with buildup because residue holds organic material and supports biofilm.

But odor can also come from:

• A compromised seal at the toilet base.
• Issues with venting.
• Buildup in places the bowl cleaning does not touch.

If odor persists despite a clean bowl, treat it as a diagnostic signal instead of continuing to increase chemical intensity.

What not to do with vinegar and baking soda in a toilet

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Do not add vinegar to a bowl that has had bleach or bleach-based cleaner unless you are certain it has been thoroughly flushed and rinsed. (Washington State Department of Health)
• Do not mix vinegar with peroxide in a bottle or container. (US EPA)
• Do not rely on the fizz as proof of effectiveness. Fizz is chemistry, not evidence of disinfection. (labsci.stanford.edu)
• Do not scrub aggressively with abrasives in an attempt to force a stain out of a worn glaze.
• Do not treat repeated failure as a cue to increase quantity indefinitely. That is how mild methods turn into messy, hard-to-rinse ones.

A decision guide: what problem do you have, and is this method a reasonable match?

A small table can prevent the most common misunderstanding: using the method for problems it does not solve.

Toilet problem or goal	Vinegar + baking soda likely to help?	Why
Routine bowl film and light residue	Often	Mild acid plus gentle abrasion supports brushing
Early hard water scale at waterline	Sometimes	Mild acid can soften carbonates; brushing removes loosened scale
Heavy, thick scale buildup	Often not enough	Mild acid may be too weak; repeated scrubbing risks dulling glaze
Reliable disinfection after illness	No	Vinegar is not dependable against all pathogens at household strength (The Nutrition Source)
Persistent clog	Unreliable	Reaction is brief; mechanical methods are usually more effective
Odor from bowl residue	Sometimes	Cleaning removes odor-holding residue; does not address venting or seal issues

If you already used another cleaner, how do you reset safely?

If there is any chance a bleach-based product or an unknown toilet cleaner was used recently:

1. Flush multiple times.
2. Rinse visible surfaces with clean water where possible.
3. Ventilate the room.
4. Wait until there is no chemical odor.
5. Only then consider using vinegar.

This is a conservative approach, and conservatism is appropriate here. Guidance documents emphasize that bleach should not be mixed with acids because of gas release risks. (Washington State Department of Health)

What if you smell strong fumes?

Stop immediately, leave the bathroom, and ventilate. Do not try to “push through” to finish cleaning. Chlorine gas and related irritant fumes can cause serious respiratory injury, and small bathrooms concentrate exposures. (CDC)

If anyone develops breathing difficulty, persistent coughing, chest tightness, or eye pain, treat it as a medical issue, not an inconvenience. This is especially important for children, older adults, and people with asthma or other lung conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to pour vinegar and baking soda into a toilet every week?

Weekly use is usually not necessary and can increase wear over time through repeated chemical exposure and scrubbing. Occasional use for targeted mineral buildup is a more conservative approach. If you feel you need weekly acid cleaning, the more durable solution is often addressing water hardness and cleaning technique rather than increasing frequency.

Is it safe to leave vinegar in the toilet overnight?

It can be, but it is not risk-free. Overnight soaking increases contact time, which can help with mineral scale, but it also increases the chance of affecting nearby materials and increases the risk that someone adds another cleaner later. If you do it, keep the area ventilated, keep other cleaners out of the process, and rinse thoroughly afterward.

Can vinegar and baking soda damage the toilet’s finish?

They can contribute to dulling or scratching mainly through abrasive scrubbing, not through the reaction itself. Baking soda is mildly abrasive, and repeated aggressive scrubbing can roughen a glaze. A roughened glaze holds stains more easily and is harder to clean.

Is it safe to use vinegar and baking soda if you have a septic system?

Moderate, normal household use is generally described as compatible with septic systems, and these substances are often listed among less hazardous alternatives. (University of Vermont) Excessive chemical use of any kind can stress septic biology, so scale your approach to routine cleaning needs.

Will vinegar and baking soda disinfect the toilet?

Not reliably. Vinegar can kill some organisms but not all at typical household strength, and mixing it with baking soda neutralizes the acid that contributes to antimicrobial activity. (The Nutrition Source) If disinfection is your goal, use a method intended and tested for that purpose, and follow contact-time requirements.

Can you use vinegar after using bleach if you flushed once?

One flush may not remove all residues. The safest approach is multiple flushes and ventilation before introducing any acid. Public health guidance warns broadly against mixing bleach with acids because of chlorine gas risks. (Washington State Department of Health)

Is the fizz dangerous to breathe?

The carbon dioxide produced in a small household reaction is usually not itself the hazard. The hazard comes from accidental production of chlorine gas or other irritants when incompatible cleaners are combined. (CDC) If you smell sharp, choking fumes, treat it as a warning sign and leave the area.

Can vinegar and baking soda fix a slow-flushing toilet?

They can help if the problem is mild buildup in accessible areas. But slow flushing often involves rim jets or internal channels where simple bowl cleaning has limited reach. If performance does not improve after routine cleaning, the issue may require deeper maintenance rather than more chemical mixing.

Is it safe to use vinegar and baking soda in the toilet tank?

It is generally not recommended. The tank contains rubber seals and mechanical parts that can be stressed by repeated chemical exposure and long dwell times. If you clean the tank, keep chemicals minimal, avoid prolonged soaking, and rinse thoroughly.

Will vinegar remove urine scale?

It can help with some mineralized deposits tied to urine and hard water, but results vary. Some deposits respond to acids, and some are mixed with other minerals and biofilm. If deposits are heavy or longstanding, mild vinegar may not be strong enough to remove them without excessive scrubbing.

Can vinegar and baking soda replace a toilet cleaner?

They can serve as a mild alternative for routine bowl cleaning, but they are not a universal replacement. They are limited for heavy scale, deep staining, and disinfection goals. Treat them as one tool in a broader cleaning approach, not as a single solution for every toilet problem.

Is it safe to use this method in homes with children or pets?

It can be, but supervision and storage are still important. Vinegar at household strength is generally low hazard, but it can irritate eyes and skin, and any cleaning process can create slip hazards, splashes, and exposures if children or pets enter during use. Ventilate, keep the bathroom closed during cleaning, and store all cleaners securely.

What is the safest “one rule” to remember?

Do not mix cleaning products. In practice, that means one product at a time, thorough rinsing between products, and extra caution with bleach and acids because they can generate chlorine gas. (Washington State Department of Health)