Bleach

• Bleach is generally located in the laundry aisle of department and grocery stores. Most common commercial chlorine bleaches contain 3 to 6 percent sodium hypochlorite. Bleach is a harsh, toxic chemical that will remove color from fabrics and can eat away at surfaces if let to sit for an extended period of time. This is why it is important to use bleach properly to prevent damage to yourself and your home. Bleach will also eliminate fungus -- such as mold and mildew -- and disinfect hard surfaces.
  
  

Cleaning

• Before you begin cleaning your toilet bowl, flush the handle to remove the dirty water from the bowl. This will make cleaning the bowl easier and more sanitary. Furthermore, lay a plastic tarp or newspapers around the toilet. This will prevent any drops or splatters of bleach from damaging the bathroom floor. According to Clorox.com, pour 1 cup of bleach directly into your toilet bowl and scrub the bowl with a toilet scrubber. Let the bleach sit in the bowl for 10 minutes before flushing the toilet to remove the bleach-water mixture and rinse the bowl clean.
  
  

Alternatives

• Chlorine is not the only type of bleach available. Oxygen bleach -- which contains sodium percarbonate -- is a white powder that,when you mix it with water, releases thousands of tiny oxygen bubbles that cleans and deodorizes surfaces without harsh chemicals. Unlike chlorine, oxygen bleach will not damage or discolor surfaces and it will not fill your home with toxic fumes or residue. Flush the toilet handle to fill the bowl with fresh water. Pour 1 cup of oxygen bleach in the bowl and scrub with a toilet scrubber. Let the oxygen bleach sit for 10 minutes before flushing the handle once again to rinse the bowl clean.
  
  

Considerations

• When working with bleach, always wear rubber gloves to prevent possible skin irritation and ventilate the area by opening doors and windows.
  
  Never mix bleach with ammonia or products containing ammonia. Furthermore, do not mix bleach with commercial toilet bowl cleaners. The resulting fumes are dangerous.
  
  Once you have finished with the bleach, secure the tape on tightly and store in a cool, dry location that is out of children's reach. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water.