Kaboom Toilet bowl cleaner

[maemom]

I was wondering about a new toilet bowl cleaner from Kaboom that hooks into the parts in the toilet tank. It is called "Kaboom Never Scrub." It sounds good but I am wondering if it would damage the plumbing, or parts inside the tank. Has anyone had any experience with this product? I have a Toto Clayton model toilet.

[jimbo]

It probably hooks into the refill tube . I don't know if this violates backflow prevention requirements, but they are widely sold. I have never seen any study that said any of these things, including the infamous blue stuff, actually do any good in the toilet bowl.

[Art33]

I've had experience, using on an old Am. Standard toilet and can state it works well for three months, with no need for cleaning the bowl. I have a new Toto ultramax and am considering using another device on it, BUT I have the same questions as you. The chemical is a form of solid chlorine bleach, and I somehow doubt that a bleach solution can damage the finish. A few drops of the bleach solution also drop into the tank through the device's anti-syphon valve during each flush, and I imagine that that amount is insignificant as far as its effect on the flushing mechanism. -=Art=-

[newowner]

Art33-check your Toto owner's manual about the bleach because back in July we got a Toto Drake and the manual had some blurb in there about not using cleaners with bleach. It stuck out to me because I had always poured chlorine bleach into my bowl and swished it all around and let in set a few minutes as my method of cleaning my old toilet. Now I use Clorox toilet cleaner with Teflon because Terry recommended it. Of course, I have to clean more often than every 3 months with this cleaner! I can't remember the exact wording in the manual and I can't find my manual at this exact time, but I can look around for it if you want.

[Art33]

Art33-check your Toto owner's manual about the bleach because back in July we got a Toto Drake and the manual had some blurb in there about not using cleaners with bleach. <snip> I can't remember the exact wording in the manual and I can't find my manual at this exact time, but I can look around for it if you want.

Thanks. I have the manual and it states "Warning! Do not use in-tank bowl cleaners. The use of high-concentration chlorine or chlorine-related products can seriously damage the rubber / plastic fittings in the tank. . . . (plus other remarks about *fittings*)" The Kaboom contraption dispenses its chemical thru the "overflow" or fill tube and so bypasses the fittings. The only question would seem to be is whether or not a chlorine solution will harm the finish of the bowl.

[hj]

It is almost impossible to damage the surface of the bowl, unless you use an etching acid. We clean them with muriatic acid.

[newowner]

Art-thanks for clarifying the manual was talking about fittings and in-tank cleaners.

[maemom]

Thank you for the responces. It sounds like the Kaboom product would by-pass the rubber/plastic fittings but I would still be concerned with that warning in the manual. Years ago there was a product put out by 1000 Flushes that was a small bucket of chlorine like stones. You put that in the water in the back tank. It work wonderfully but it was taken off the market. I always wondered if it was environmental issues or some deteriation of the toilet parts. I never had any problems with and it made the bathroom smell fresh and the toilet bowl was always clean. The Kaboom product looks similar but set up differently, however I don't want to damage my Toto toilet.

[maddog]

I've installed the similar Fluidmaster product in our new toilets:

http://www.fluidmaster.com/care_products_main.html

Bleach goes into the bowl and not the tank. Seems to work fairly well and replacement cleaner cartridges are readily available.

-Dog ...

[Art33]

maddog---interesting link, and looks promising. But the video had the mysterious phrase, "fits most 2 piece toilets like this . . ." What's the difference, between 1 vs. 2 piece toilets regarding the flushing mechanism??? My new 1 piece Toto Ultramax appears identical to my 2 piece toilets except for the way the tank "connects" to the bowl. What difference should this make with regard to the flushing mechanism and the way the cleaning device works????

[Mike50]

I'm interested in products that actually work. Experience tells me all this stuff just doesn't....and why introduce more/new chemicals in your home?

I am going to try the New Kaboom bowl cleaner that bubbles up effervescent. It just makes sense that the bubbling action would soften up bowl scum.
I'll get back to you on this soon. ;)

The only product I've seen discussed here that a Lot of people tried and like is
the *Chlorox brand with Teflon.* It's no magic cleaner--it simply makes the bowl more slick and slippery and thats why it works.

I'm on septic so I use a light bleach wash in bowl about every 2 months just to keep excessive bacteria buildup in check.

I also use a Calcium/Lime/Rust bowl cleaner about once per month. (Gel formula)-our water is excessively mineral ladden.

Mike

[Mike50]

Here is a bathroom/kitchen cleaner that will work *Better* than whatever you are using and saves money:

mix:
1/3 isopropyl rubbing alcohol
1/3 White Vinegar
1/3 Water


in large spray bottle. I've never used anything that works as good for about 25 cents. It even works on plastic or inside of microwave ovens.
Caution on any pourous, corian,exotic alloy metals etc where you may need specialty cleaners.

[maemom]

We have very hard water and the toilet in my master bathroom seems to get a film in it, within a day of scrubbing it clean. It is an older toilet (Artesian) that I am willing to experiment with. I put the "Kaboom Never Scrub" in as directed. (It is very similar to the Fluidmaster mentioned by Maddog) It has been in over a week now and is working great! No "poop stains," as my kids says. The bathroom smells fresh. I have not had to srub at all and there is no film building up! It remains to be seen if there is any long term affects on the toilet parts. I am still nervous to try it in my new Toto Clayton toilet which unfortunately has problems with frequent "poop stains!!" (It seems too little water in the bowl to prevent them.) I would appreciate any further comments or advice. Thanks.

[alternety]

I am on a septic system. I would be concerned with using a regular chlorine drip into the toilets. Anyone have any hard information about spetic system tolerance for these cleaners?

[maemom]

I am on a septic system too. I didn't think small amt of chlorine would hurt it. But I am not certain. Did you see what Mike50 wrote about adding chlorine every few months to prevent bacteria build up in the septic? Although, I thought that was how the septic worked. The bacteria broke down the sewage. The kaboom product is a solid form of chlorine that the water washes over so I think it is a small amt of chlorine released with each flush. Can someone advise us regarding the septic issue. I am still loving how that "kaboom never scrub" is working so I hope it is not ruining the septic. I am thinking of calling costumer service at Toto to get advice about using with my Clayton.

[maddog]

I don't know about Kaboom, but Fluidmaster sells a separate cartridge for septic systems:

http://www.fluidmaster.com/care_products_8200.html

We've been happy with the results so far - seems to work just as good as the chlorine 'hockey pucks'. And we can pick up replacement cartridges at HD or other hardware stores....

[alternety]

I looked at the link. It says it puts good things in your septic. Every discussion about septic systems I have seen has said that you should not spend your money on addatives. They either don't do anything useful or some actually mess things up.

[maemom]

:) Hey, almost two months and I have not had to clean my toilet bowl at all!! The toilet bowl looks great and there is still a fresh scent in the bathroom. (I have had to clean the seat, rim and exterior but no brushing the bowl!!) I am still not certain about using it with the Toto toilet because of that warning. The septic has been fine.

[maemom]

I just replaced the Kaboom toilet bowl cleaner. 4 months of a beautifully clean toilet bowl without scrubbing!! Can't beat it!:D

[Cookie]

I use the Kaboom you pour a cup full into the toilet bowl and it also, works great. It foams up to the top. I do scrub it but, I like it better than the other products.

[speedball1]

It is almost impossible to damage the surface of the bowl, unless you use an etching acid. We clean them with muriatic acid.

I can not advise against using muratic acid, or any acid, in a enclosed area such as a rest room strongly enough. As a young boy I would take limed up toilet bowls out in the alley behind the shop and boil the lime out of them. Over half a century later my lungs still carry the scar tissue that the acid fumes caused. A few years ago I lost a good friend when he used a commercial drain cleaner containing sulfuric acid in a unvented bathroom. Acid IS NOT A GOOD IDEA to use to clear mineral buildup. Take it from one who's paid the price. Regards, Tom

[Cass]

I agree, I have always said the toilets must be out doors when doing that...the fumes can be extreemly hazardous to your lungs...99% of customers will replace rather than clean toilets with acid after I go through the safe way to acid clean them...

[speedball1]

I agree, I have always said the toilets must be out doors when doing that...the fumes can be extreemly hazardous to your lungs...

Even out doors the fumes can damage your lungs and I have the scars to prove it. Regards, Tom

[Cass]

Yes...your right...but not if you are up wind of them and I guess as a kid no one ever instructed you as to the correct way of doing it...I'm glad you are here to warn people about it...

[ASoucy24]

I have used the Kaboom in-tank cleaner for at least two years. I am happy with the result in that it prevents the rust-colored deposits that appear within days after cleaning if I don't use it. But I have a toilet that is about 8 months old, and lately I have noticed a roughness near the edge of the water in the bowl. I have read that chlorine damages porcelain, and I am somewhat worried that the toilet bowl has been etched. On the other hand, it may be just lime deposits. My well water is mineral intensive.

By the way, I have a septic tank and using Kaboom has not caused any trouble.

Anyone have an opinion about whether the bowl might have become etched and/or how to rid the bowl of lime deposits?