My Mom’s Been a Pro Cleaner for 20 Years—the One Part of the Toilet She Says Everyone Forgets to Clean

Growing up, cleaning wasn’t just a task; it was a lifestyle. My mom has been a professional cleaner for over 15 years, and she has some really strong feelings about every method, new product, or overlooked grime zone in a home. So when she tells me something drives her crazy, I know she’s being serious, and I listen closely.

According to her, there’s one toilet spot most people are forgetting to clean that’s keeping your bathroom dirty even when you think it’s clean—and it’s something she always notices instantly.

The Forgotten Zone: Around the Caulking and Those Two Little Bolt Caps

If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, crouch down near the base of your toilet. See that thin link where the toilet meets the floor? That’s the spot—and sometimes mopping isn’t enough to get it clean.

While you’re down there, you should also check those two little caps that cover the bolts securing your toilet to the floor. I’m sure there’s probably some hair or dust there.

“That area gets nasty if you ignore it,” my mom says. “People will scrub the bowl, wipe the tank, but that bottom edge? That’s where the worst mess hides. Dust, hair—you don’t even want to know what else.”

It’s one of those places that’s usually out of sight, out of mind, until you really look. And once you see it, you’ll never skip it again when cleaning.

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Why It Gets Gross So Fast

If your bathroom never smells fresh, no matter how much you scrub the bowl, this little spot could be the culprit.

This hidden edge traps moisture and splashes—especially in homes with kids or multiple people using the bathroom. Having raised two boys in a five-person household, my mom swears that this is the one detail you just can’t miss when cleaning a bathroom.

“You can walk into a bathroom and tell right away if someone ignores it,” she says. “You can smell it.”

How to Clean It (The Way a Pro Does)

When I asked my mom why this spot bothers her so much, her answer was simple.

“Because it’s right there!” she said. “You’re already cleaning the toilet—it’s one more swipe!”

Her method for cleaning this forgotten area is simple and can take as little as five minutes if you’re in a pinch.

1. Spray disinfectant. Use a good antibacterial cleaner or a vinegar and dish soap mix. Spray right along the base and let it sit for a minute or two to really allow it to work.
2. Scrub with a small brush. Using a toothbrush or grout brush, scrub along the caulking. Using a small brush gets into the line in a way that a mop or rag can’t reach.
3. Pop off the bolt caps. If you haven’t cleaned these in a while, the caps might have even left a ring on your toilet. Wipe down both the caps and the bolts before placing them back on.
4. Dry it off. Leaving moisture invites mildew.
5. Repeat weekly. If you stay consistent, you’ll never have to deep clean that area again.

It’s a simple routine that can make a difference in your space. For my mom, it’s not about how clean a room looks, but how it feels. And if you’re going to clean, as she reminds me every time I call her for advice, “then clean properly.”