Is It Safe to use Blue Tablets in my Toilet Tank?

We’ve all seen toilets with a vibrant pool of blue water — courtesy of those tank cleaning tablets. While they may seem like the perfect way to sanitize your “throne” and keep it clean, the reality is that they are quite harmful to your toilet. Those blue toilet tablets can not only cause corrosion to parts inside of the tank, but they’re also crafted with chemicals — which can be harmful and may be released into your home, as well as into the environment.

Here’s why we recommend skipping the blue tablet and what you can do instead.

Reason #1: Blue Toilet Tablets Can Wear Down the Flush Valve

Believe it or not, one of the most important pieces of your toilet is the flush valve. Living up to its name, this part will help move H2O into your toilet. However, if you tend to use blue cleaning tablets, the harsh chemicals that are packed within have the possibility to corrode your toilet’s flush valve (as well as other internal parts) or get stuck inside of it. This will, indeed, make it impossible to flush your “throne” and may cause a potential plumbing disaster if not repaired in a timely manner.

Reason #2: Blue Toilet Tablets Emit Chemicals

When it’s time to clean your bathroom, typically you’ll open the windows (if there are any) or turn on the exhaust fan to help rid of any potentially harmful chemicals that may be emitted from your cleaning products. However, when you opt to use a toilet tank tablet, this blue “disc” has a chance of emitting chemicals non-stop — which can be harmful to you, as well as the environment.

Additionally, if you have a dog or cat that likes to drink from the toilet (despite telling them not to), consuming this chemically-treated water may take a toll on their well-being if consumed in excess.

Alternatives to Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tablets

If you’re still torn on whether or not to use one of these toilet tablets, then the best solution is to avoid them at all costs. Sure, they boast that they can keep your toilet fresh after each flush — but they will slowly wreak havoc on the most used feature in your home.

Of course, the best way to keep your toilet clean is to consider using green cleaning agents (or those with little-to-no chemicals in their composition) that will not only maintain a glowing, sanitized “throne,” but will also save your plumbing over time.

If you run into any problems with your home plumbing and prefer to forgo the DIY route, our technicians are here to help! Visit our website to learn more about the services that we offer here at Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. — or you can call (865) 583-3957to speak with a representative directly.