Let’s be honest—there are few things more disheartening than walking into your bathroom, lifting the lid, and seeing that awful yellow ring staring back at you from the toilet seat. Whether it’s hard water, urine stains, mildew, or just everyday grime, those marks have a way of showing up and overstaying their welcome.

I used to be the person who gave the toilet a quick swipe and hoped for the best, but after hosting a few houseguests who treated the bathroom like an inspection site, I knew I had to step up my cleaning game—not just for the toilet bowl, but for the entire throne. So, if you’re currently side-eyeing your toilet seat and wondering, “What even is that stain?” or if you’re just looking to deep clean everything from the seat to the hinges and beyond, here’s what’s worked for me—and continues to save me—from bathroom embarrassment. First, it helps to understand where these stains come from.

Common culprits include hard water deposits, which leave behind calcium and lime; urine splashes that aren’t cleaned up quickly; mold and mildew, which thrive in warm, damp spaces; and general buildup from sweat, body oils, and dust. Once you figure out the source, it’s easier to know how to attack the problem. For yellow or brown stains on the seat, my go-to solution is a baking soda and white vinegar paste. Mix the two into a thick paste and apply it directly to the stains. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then scrub using an old toothbrush or sponge. It works wonders on all kinds of residue, especially urine-related discoloration.

For those times when the paste doesn’t cut it, a Magic Eraser truly lives up to its name. I used to think it was just a fancy sponge, but the first time I used one on a toilet seat I thought I’d have to replace, it came out looking brand new. Just dampen it and scrub the stained areas—no harsh chemicals, just satisfying results. If stains still linger, hydrogen peroxide is your next line of defense. Soak some paper towels in it and place them directly over the stained areas for an hour.

It naturally bleaches without damaging the plastic. Just make sure not to mix it with vinegar—always rinse the seat thoroughly between treatments to avoid creating harmful fumes. Once the seat is clean, don’t forget the hinges and bolts. Those tiny corners love to collect grime. A toothbrush designated solely for bathroom duty works great here. Scrub carefully around those tight spots, and don’t forget to disinfect after. Now for the toilet bowl itself—home to rings that seem like they’re trying to be permanent. A pumice stone can be your best friend here, but only if used correctly. Always wet it first, then gently scrub the mineral rings. If you hear scratching, stop immediately—too much pressure and you’ll damage the porcelain.

Another effective method involves pouring a cup of vinegar into the bowl and sprinkling in some baking soda. It fizzes and helps break up stains. Let it sit for 30 minutes before brushing and flushing. If you’ve got tougher, older stains, borax powder is a great option. Sprinkle it generously inside the bowl and leave it overnight. Scrub in the morning, and you’ll feel like you’ve unlocked some vintage cleaning magic. Bleach tablets can also work, but be cautious—they can degrade your toilet over time and shouldn’t be mixed with other products. For the outside of the toilet—the tank, base, and handle—I recommend spraying an all-purpose cleaner and wiping it down with a microfiber cloth. Don’t forget the wall behind the toilet, because splashes do happen.

For the base, start by sweeping up dust and hair with a Swiffer or duster, then follow with a disinfectant wipe or spray and cloth. It’s amazing—and horrifying—what collects around the base. For a few bonus tips: pour hydrogen peroxide or bleach into the toilet brush holder now and then to kill bacteria and keep the smell down. And if no amount of scrubbing helps? Just replace the seat. They’re cheap and make a world of difference. The truth is, a clean toilet is not glamorous, but it is deeply satisfying. With a little consistency and the right tools—baking soda, peroxide, vinegar, maybe a true crime podcast in the background—you can turn a dreaded chore into a small victory. Because nothing says “I’ve got it together” quite like a bathroom so clean it sparkles.