Yellow stains and limescale deposits are certainly not something that adds charm to the toilet. Unfortunately, sometimes due to neglect and lack of regular cleaning, hard-to-remove dirt may quickly appear on the walls of the toilet bowl.
Fortunately, when unsightly residue appears in the toilet, you can effectively act. In this guide, we'll advise you on how to remove limescale from the toilet and the best ways to quickly and effectively get rid of stains from the WC.
Where does limescale come from in the toilet?
Most toilet bowls are snow-white, so any dirt or limescale deposits are very visible. Anyone who has ever fought persistent residue has certainly wondered where it actually comes from. There can be several causes. The most common include:
- hard water - water containing a lot of minerals, especially calcium salts, tends to form deposits on the surfaces of bathtubs, sinks, and toilet bowls. Long-term accumulation of residue may be hard to remove – especially below the waterline;
- irregular toilet cleaning - neglect in this area results in the accumulation of deposits and unsightly stains inside the toilet bowl;
- bacteria and fungi - if you add bacteria or fungi to hard water and hygiene neglect, very stubborn stains and smudges may appear on the toilet bowl walls. They are usually accompanied by an unpleasant smell.
Regular toilet cleaning helps ensure not only a proper level of hygiene but also the aesthetics of the bathroom. Depending on needs and preferences, you can use ready-made products available in household chemical stores or opt for natural means to clean and remove limescale from the toilet bowl.
How to remove old limescale from the toilet?
The selection of products for removing limescale and residue from the toilet is truly impressive. Chemical agents are widely available in almost every store. They are usually very effective, but they are not neutral for the natural environment, as they contain fairly aggressive chemical compounds. Fortunately, there are also plenty of ecological means that can easily clean the toilet bowl.
Many people wonder how to remove limescale from the toilet using home methods and whether it is even possible? Yes! Home remedies are a great alternative to store-bought chemicals as they allow you to safely remove yellow deposits and limescale that form in the toilet bowl below the waterline. Here are a few of the best and safe methods for persistent residues.
How to remove limescale from the toilet with vinegar?
Removing limescale from the toilet using vinegar is probably the easiest and simplest way to restore the shine of bathroom ceramics - especially since vinegar is a product likely present in every home kitchen.
How to remove limescale from the toilet? Pour about half a litre of vinegar into the toilet bowl and leave for a few hours – preferably overnight. Then use a toilet brush to remove the dissolved limescale. After scrubbing, simply flush with water.
In the case of particularly stubborn limescale, it is worth removing as much water as possible before pouring vinegar into the bowl. You can do this by turning off the valve and flushing the water. This way, the vinegar will work in a higher concentration, which will further improve its effectiveness. The only downside of this method is the strong smell of vinegar, which may linger in the room for quite a while.
How to remove limescale stains in the toilet with citric acid?
If you don't like the smell of vinegar, you can alternatively use citric acid. To do this, you should mix citric acid with water and pour the ready solution into the toilet. After at least 30 minutes (the longer the action time, the better the effect) you can clean the toilet with a brush. Citric acid will soften even persistent limescale, allowing you to easily remove it.
An additional “bonus” here is the whitening properties of citric acid, which helps remove any stains and yellowing that sometimes appear on the walls of the toilet bowl.
A similar effect can be achieved by pouring lemon juice along with apple cider vinegar into the toilet. The solution effectively removes limescale, additionally whitens, and maintains a pleasant smell.
How to effectively remove limescale from the toilet – soda and white vinegar
Baking soda and white vinegar are probably the most commonly used home cleaning methods – they are great for removing limescale from the toilet as well. A cup of vinegar should be combined with about 1/3 cup of baking soda and poured into the WC.
A vigorous chemical reaction will begin – from the moment the foam is formed, you should wait about 30 minutes. During this time, the effervescent mixture will soften and partially detach the limescale deposited in the bowl.
After the solution has had time to act, the toilet should be cleaned with a brush, paying special attention to areas below the waterline.
How to remove thick limescale from the toilet bowl walls?
Ready-made toilet cleaning products usually have a thick consistency, which allows them to adhere quite well to the walls of the toilet. In the case of home remedies, they often run off quickly, which may make them less effective, especially in situations where the limescale is quite thick. How then to remove limescale from the toilet bowl?
For this, you can use paper towels and selected home cleaning agents. The towels should be placed over the entire surface of the toilet bowl and, in the case of a rimmed toilet, also under the rim. Then pour over them with vinegar, a solution of apple cider vinegar and lemon, or citric acid mixed with water. This compress should be left for at least 30 minutes.
Then you need to collect all the towels and dispose of them in the trash (!), and clean the inside of the toilet with a sponge. Paper towels should not be flushed in the toilet as they are too thick and used in large quantities may block the drain.
You can also use baking soda mixed with warm water. The paste formed in this way is applied to the cleaned surface - toilet walls and areas under the rim. The dried baking soda is removed from the toilet bowl with a sponge or brush, along with the deposit and stains.
How to naturally remove limescale from the toilet – summary
A clean toilet is not only a matter of aesthetics but also health and safety for you and other household members. To take care of it, you should regularly remove dirt and fresh stains and also try to prevent the formation of deposits. Every now and then, you should also remove the limescale that deposits below the waterline and under the rim of the toilet bowl.
In case of regular toilet cleaning, limescale removal can be carried out using home cleaning methods with the help of food products found in every kitchen. These are:
- white vinegar,
- citric acid,
- apple cider vinegar,
- baking soda.
The listed products work excellently individually or in combination – solutions of vinegar, citric acid, and baking soda effectively dissolve limescale in the toilet, remove yellow stains, and restore the whiteness of cleaned surfaces. Home methods are as effective as chemical agents but much cheaper and definitely safer for you and the environment.
Did you know that…
…coca-cola also effectively removes limescale from the toilet? The phosphoric acid, which is one of its ingredients, is very effective in removing limescale from bathroom fixtures. Just pour a glass of the beverage into the toilet and wipe the WC after an hour and flush it with water.
If you want to make toilet cleaning easier, remember to regularly get rid of dirt. Every few days (overnight) it's worth pouring vinegar or a citric acid solution with water into the toilet bowl. This way, you can prevent the formation of limescale deposits and thus avoid the tedious scrubbing of the toilet interior.