NeverScrub Self-Cleaning Toilet System
NeverScrub, formerly the Puricle 110, automatically dispenses a bleach-type cleaning agent into the overflow tube of a toilet at the conclusion of a flush. It is far more efficient and effective than the old "hockey puck" style of toilet bowl cleaner. It prevents all sorts of stains, mineral deposits, etc., and leaves the toilet bowl crystal clear (refills last about four months, depending on usage rate). It installs without tools in about 90 seconds (or 30 seconds if you've done it before). You just clip the unit to the inside of the tank and swap out the hose that feeds into the overflow tube for the hose attached to the unit.
The typical "hockey puck" cleaner dispenses a variable amount of cleaner (depending on how long it's been steeping) mostly into the bottom of the bowl, during the emptying phase of the flush cycle, which is wasteful and ineffective. This system releases the right amount of cleaning agent at the right place and time -- i.e. it dispenses a consistent, "measured dose" under the rim, during the refill phase (mostly), so it remains in and on the bowl, including above the waterline. It's amazing no inventor took advantage of this approach decades ago.
(The percentages that follow are guesstimates). When a toilet is flushed, water enters the bowl from two sources: the tank (about 80%) and water fed into the overflow tube through a small hose (about 20%). Once the tank has emptied, the tank's outlet valve closes and water flows into the bowl only from the refill tube (via the overflow pipe), slowly refilling it.
Consequently, less than 20% of the water that was in the tank remains in the bowl after a flush, so 80% of any hockey-puck cleaning agent absorbed by the tank-water is wasted. But over 80% of the water that enters the bowl through the refill tube remains in the bowl, so only a little of the cleaning agent dispensed in this manner "goes down the drain." Also, with the NeverScrub, the cleaning agent remains on the bowl's surface above the water line, because the last water to enter the bowl is treated water. With a hockey-puck cleaner, the last water to enter the bowl is untreated water from the refill tube, which rinses away the cleaning agent that entered under the rim during the initial phase of the flush.
Finally, with the NeverScrub, there is also a beneficial social side effect that is even more important than cleanliness: it can greatly reduce water consumption. I've found that toilets needn't be flushed after doing "number 1" because the product's cleaning agent bleaches and deodorizes it. (When this stops happening, add a refill cartridge.)
The agent is a deodorized form of bleach that employs bromine as well as chlorine: 1, 3-Dichoro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. According to the company, the refills have an unlimited shelf life and the cleaning agent "breaks down and is harmless to septic systems and environment." Additionally, they claim that "Bowl water [is] not harmful to children or pets." They thoughtfully add, "However, it is not recommended that pets regularly drink water from the toilet."
A few things you should know: It's best to get the surface clean and smooth before installing the unit. I suggest scrubbing the bowl clean with a
-- Roger Knights
NeverScrub Toilet System
$12
Available from Amazon
UPDATE: The manufacturer is selling the product and one refill for "free" if you pay the $4.95 shipping.
Also advertised as the "Kaboom" NeverScrub
Favorite (15)
Jeff Jewell
I installed two of these in our house, based on the review here. After maybe two or three cartridge changes, I have found it near impossible to remove the cap to replace the cartridge (which, by the way, has been redesigned, apparently, to not be a cartridge with concentrated chlorine, but instead is a packet of two large clorine tablets). But worse, the cap doesn't want to go on all the way, and is very difficult to get to seal.
So the high concentration chlorine ends up leaking into the tank, which is contrary to one of the stated benefits of the Kaboom NeverScrub system. I contacted the company today, and they confirmed that the design of the system that we bought not long ago, has been changed, and I was told to go buy two more of them.
I balked at the having to buy it again, thinking that they should make good on these. I told him that we had just gotten finished buying a years worth of refills for two bathrooms, and returned them after running into this problem, and will buy new refills when we see how the company is going to handle the remedying of this issue.
The representative quickly said that he would send out a coupon. I will post an update here when it is either resolved, or not.
Howard Keziah
"The agent is a deodorized form of bleach..."
I can't stand the smell. I'd really hate to smell it before it was "deodorized."
We'd rather scrub toilets than inhale the fumes.
Laral
Jeff, there is a technique to removing and replacing the cover. Leaving the unit in place, put your four fingers behind the tank directly in back of the unit and your thumb directly on the body of the unit below the cap. Grip everything tightly, pushing the unit against the inside of the tank with your thumb, and turn the cap with the thumb and first two fingers of the other hand. It should come off quite easily. Reverse the process when replacing the cap. Screw it down tightly so it won't leak. Make sure not to cross-thread it. I put some Teflon plumbing tape on the threads to make everything go smoother and to help the seal. I have no problem removing/replacing the cap and no leaks.
A word on refills. Refills for this are inordinately expensive. Mine only last about a month with just nominal use by one person. They are like $6 each plus about as much for shipping online. Walmart has them for around $3 which is a lot cheaper. But if you really want to save on refills, you can get a 1.65 lb. bottle of Spa Brominating Tablets at Walmart in the pool section for around $13. Four of the tablets fit vertically side-by-side in the cartridge. Four tablets weigh 1.65 oz., the net weight of the refill cartridges. Coincidence? I don't think so. That makes 16 refills for a cost of $.81 each. Since the tablets are whole, you don't get the overwhelming bromine/chlorine odor you get with the normal refills which are filled with a ground up version of the tablets. But you can still smell the chlorine/bromine odor that tells you it is doing its job. The tablets last twice as long as the refills for me as well. I wouldn't recommend pool chlorine tablets since they are stronger. The spa tablets are made for confined quarters and so are just strong enough.
Jeff Jewell
Thanks, Laral, for the tips. I will give the Teflon tape a try. Here is an update on my dealing with the company:
Recap: I called the Kaboom folks (Dwight something-or-other--don't have the company name in front of me), and they started out by saying that yes, there was a flaw in the design that I had bought from them, and that I needed to buy their new and improved design. I countered that it didn't seem fair that I just bought two if these, with a flawed design, and they wanted me to shell out for more to resolve their flaw. So in the end, the service rep said that he would send me a coupon for replacements. The coupon (singular) did arrive, and it covered the full price of only one replacement. The replacement does seem to be much more simple, and the cap seems to turn better. We'll see how it does after with a refill.
But I like the idea of the Teflon tape. Since they didn't send me a coupon to replace the other one, I'll give that a try.
I did notice that recently, the refill packets include a coupon for $2 off. So after buying one, I went back and got another with the coupon. As you point out, the refills at Walmart are about $3-4 each, so I just got a refill for $1.43 (I don't recall if that was before or after our 8.3% tax).
I thought often about the fact that the chemical seemed to be pretty basic. I kick myself that I didn't consider the spa or pool chemical approach! I'm anxious to head to Walmart and pick some up. Good thinking!
Seems like a good opportunity for someone to come up with good, solid, simple design that directs the user to buy the spa tablets. Maybe the company that makes the spa tablets should design and market their own toilet tank bases bowl cleaner ;)
Thanks again, Laral, for the great ideas!