• Bleach is no good for cleaning your toilet tank

Bleach is a wonderful product that “germaphobes” like me take solace in using often. That being said, it does a number on the rubber components inside of your toilet (all the bits and pieces that keep the water from leaking onto your floor). I recommend using a gentle cleanser, like dish soap, or for a more natural approach, white vinegar. If you still want that “oh so fresh” smell in the bowl you could invest in a toilet that has a separate compartment in the tank (like Kohler’s Continuous Clean) or purchase a product that creates a similar compartment, as an add-on (like Fluidmaster’s Flush ‘n Sparkle system).

• Using “flushable wipes” never ends well for your plumbing

In my years of working as a plumber I have come across many clogged lines that are the result of flushable wipes. No matter what the marketing tells you, I can attest to the fact that they do not flush well! Whether you have a new house or something built in the 1920’s, they find a way to wreak havok. They DO NOT break down like toilet paper! Not only do they cause issues within the home’s sewage system, but I have personally seen these wipes create a clog large enough to back up sewage for an entire street. If you don’t believe me, check out this article from Today

• Don’t use a plunger to unclog a toilet!

All of the cartoons and entertainment stereotypes have brainwashed us to believe that a clogged toilet = plunger. Unfortunately, doing so can cause more harm than good.
Imagine you’re toilet filled to the brim with waste. The only thing preventing that murky water from seeping onto your floor is a small wax seal. When a plunger is used, pressure and suction can dislodge this wax seal, causing a leak that requires an unnecessary (and pricy) repair to fix. My go-to fix for when my children clog the toilet (using a whole roll of toilet paper) is the use of a Rigid Toilet Auger.