Yellow stains and limescale are surely not adding charm to the toilet. Unfortunately, sometimes due to neglect and lack of regular cleaning of the toilet bowl, difficult-to-remove dirt can quickly appear on its walls.
Fortunately, when an unpleasant deposit appears in the toilet bowl, effective action can be taken. In this guide, we will suggest how to remove limescale from the toilet and what are the best ways to quickly and effectively get rid of stains in the WC.
Where Does Limescale in the Toilet Come From?
The majority of toilet bowls are snow-white, making any dirt or limescale very visible. Anyone who has ever struggled with stubborn deposits has certainly wondered where they actually come from? There can be several reasons. The most common include:
- hard water – water that contains a lot of minerals, especially calcium salts, tends to form deposits on the walls of the bathtub, sink, and toilet bowl. A build-up of deposits over time can be difficult to remove – especially below the waterline;
- irregular cleaning of the WC – neglect in this area results in the accumulation of deposits and unsightly stains inside the toilet bowl;
- bacteria and fungi – if bacteria or fungi are added to hard water and hygiene neglect, very persistent stains and deposits may appear on the walls of the toilet bowl. They are usually accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
Regular cleaning of the toilet helps to maintain not only an appropriate level of hygiene but also the aesthetics of the restroom. Depending on needs and preferences, ready-made products available in household chemical stores can be used or natural cleaning agents can be used to clean and remove limescale from the toilet.
How to Remove Old Limescale from the Toilet?
The selection of products intended for removing limescale and deposits from the toilet is truly impressive. Chemical agents are generally available in almost every store. They are usually very effective, but they are not neutral for the natural environment, as they contain quite aggressive chemical compounds. Fortunately, there are also many ecological agents that can easily clean the toilet bowl.
Many people wonder how to remove limescale from the toilet using home remedies and whether it is even possible? Yes! Homemade agents are a great alternative to store chemicals as they safely remove yellow deposits and limescale that settle in the toilet bowl below the waterline. Here are some of the best and safest methods for stubborn deposits.
How to Remove Limescale from the Toilet with Vinegar?
Removing limescale from the toilet with vinegar is probably the easiest and simplest way to restore bathroom ceramics to their shine - especially since vinegar is a product that is likely found in every home kitchen.
How to remove limescale from the toilet? Pour about half a liter of vinegar into the toilet bowl and leave it for a few hours - preferably overnight. Then use a toilet brush to remove the dissolved limescale. After scrubbing, just flush the 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 closing the valve and flushing the water. This way, the vinegar will act at a higher concentration, which will further improve its effectiveness. The only downside of this method is the intense smell of vinegar, which may linger in the room for quite a while.
How to Remove Stains from Limescale in the Toilet with Citric Acid?
If you don't like the smell of vinegar, you can alternatively use citric acid. To do this, mix citric acid with water and pour the prepared solution into the toilet. After at least 30 minutes (the longer the action, the better the effect) you can clean the toilet with a brush. Citric acid will soften even stubborn limescale, making it easy to remove.
An additional “bonus” is the bleaching properties of citric acid, which will help in removing any stains and yellowing that may occasionally appear on the walls of the toilet bowl.
A similar effect can be achieved by pouring fresh lemon juice into the toilet along with apple cider vinegar. This solution effectively removes limescale, additionally whitens and maintains a pleasant scent.
How to Effectively Remove Limescale from the Toilet – Baking Soda and White Vinegar
Baking soda and white vinegar are probably the most commonly used home cleaning methods – they also work great for removing limescale from the toilet. A glass of vinegar should be mixed with about ⅓ of a glass of baking soda and poured into the WC.
A vigorous chemical reaction will begin – from the moment foam forms, wait about 30 minutes. During this time, the fizzing mixture will soften and partially detach the limescale build-up in the bowl.
After the designated time for the action of the solution, the toilet should be cleaned with a brush, paying special attention to areas located below the waterline.
How to Remove Thick Limescale from the Walls of the Toilet Bowl?
Ready-made products for cleaning toilets usually have a thick consistency, which helps them adhere well to the walls of the toilet. In the case of homemade agents, they usually drain off quickly, which may make them less effective, especially when there is quite thick limescale. So how to remove limescale from the toilet bowl?
To do this, you can use paper towels and selected homemade cleaning agents. The towels should be laid over the entire surface of the toilet bowl, and in the case of a rimmed toilet – also underneath it. Then soak them with vinegar, a solution of apple cider vinegar and lemon or citric acid mixed with water. The resulting compress should be left for at least 30 minutes.
Next, you need to collect all the towels and throw them in the trash (!), and clean the interior of the toilet with a sponge. Paper towels should not be flushed down the toilet as they are too thick and used in large quantities can effectively clog the drain.
You can also use baking soda mixed with warm water. The resulting paste is applied to the cleaned surface - the walls of the toilet and the area under the rim. The dried baking soda is removed from the toilet bowl with a sponge or brush, along with deposits 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 maintain it, you need to regularly remove dirt and fresh stains, as well as try to prevent the formation of limescale. From time to time, you also need to remove limescale that settles below the waterline and under the rim of the toilet bowl.
With regular toilet cleaning, limescale removal can be done using home cleaning methods, using food agents that can be found in every kitchen. These include:
- white vinegar,
- citric acid,
- apple cider vinegar,
- baking soda.
The mentioned products work excellently alone 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 the cleaned surfaces. Homemade methods are just as effective as chemical agents, but much cheaper and definitely safer for you and the environment.
Did you know that…
…limescale in the toilet is also effectively removed by Coca-Cola? Phosphoric acid, which is one of its ingredients, effectively removes limescale from bathroom fixtures. Just pour a glass of the drink into the toilet and after an hour, wipe the inside of the WC and flush with water.
If you want to make toilet cleaning easier, remember to regularly get rid of dirt. It is advisable to pour vinegar or a solution of citric acid with water into the toilet bowl every few days (overnight). This way, you will be able to prevent limescale formation and thus avoid tedious scrubbing of the toilet interior.