You’re hosting a dinner party for friends and family, and someone asks to use your restroom. As they enter, their eyes widen in horror as they take one glimpse at your toilet bowl. In addition to toilet bowl stains being an embarrassing eyesore, they can also be challenging to remove.
If brown or black toilet bowl stains are plaguing your bathroom, don’t reach for the bleach just yet. We’ll go over some tried-and-true natural methods for removing these pesky toilet stains, so your guests will be none the wiser. But first, let’s explain how these stains form in the first place.
What Causes Dirty Toilet Bowls?
Toilet bowl stains are usually caused by hard water, mould and rust.
Hard water is the main culprit of dirty toilet bowls and is caused by the build-up of calcium and magnesium. Mould, meanwhile, occurs when the toilet is not cleaned regularly and moisture accumulates. This creates a perfect environment for the growth of mould and mildew, which can be identified via green or dark spots. Here are some tips on How To Remove Mould in Your Home
Rust can also cause unwanted stains in your toilet bowl. Corrosion builds up when the iron in water reacts with oxygen, creating reddish-brown stains on the surface. Additionally, pipe corrosion can also cause your toilet bowl to stain.
Besides being awful to look at, these stains can also harbour harmful bacteria, which can eventually cause a nasty stomach bug or skin rashes. Because of these reasons, you’ll ideally want to clean your toilet bowl regularly and remove rust as soon as it appears.
Ways to Remove Stains From a Toilet Bowl
There are a few different ways to clean toilet bowl stains. Although commercial products such as a toilet stain remover will usually do the trick, natural methods are more advantageous. Natural cleaners aren’t toxic, won’t damage your toilet and are budget-friendly.
Popular options include vinegar, cola, borax, and baking soda. These products are designed to remove all types of stains, including rust and mineral deposits. So without further ado, let’s go through CalibreCleaning’s step by step guide on how to clean toilet bowl stains quickly and easily.
How to Get Rid of Brown Stains in Toilet Bowl Using Vinegar and Baking Soda
Although these items are cooking staples, they can also clean toilet stains. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which cuts through grime and grease. On the other hand, baking soda is a mild abrasive that can absorb odours. However, it’s when these two products are combined, that’s when the magic happens.
To use this toilet bowl cleaning method, follow the instructions below:
1) Fill the bowl with a cup of vinegar and stir with a toilet brush.
2) Apply a cup of baking soda to your toilet bowl’s coated areas, then pour with another cup of vinegar.
3) Allow 10 minutes for the baking soda and vinegar to react and fizz.
4) Once bubbling, move the baking soda and vinegar solution around the bowl using a toilet brush, focusing on areas with hard stains.
Cleaning Dirty Toilet Bowls With Borax
If you don’t have vinegar or baking soda, you can also use borax to clean toilet bowl stains. Borax is a natural cleaning product often used in laundry and dishwashing. It’s also effective in removing toilet brown stains without damaging your toilet bowl’s surface. However, combining borax with hot water breaks down and softens stains more quickly.
To use this method, follow the instructions below:
1) Start by mixing a cup of borax with a gallon of hot water.
2) Pour the solution into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes.
3) Afterwards, use a toilet brush to clean the bowl. Be sure to focus on toilet brown stains and other hard-to-remove stains.
4) Use a clean cloth to dry the bowl and flush the toilet to rinse away any residue.
How to Remove Stains From Toilet Bowl with Cola
Surprising as it may seem, you can also use cola to clean toilet bowl stains. Cola contains phosphoric acid and, when applied, can lead to toilet bowl rust removal. If you’ve got a few cola cans lying around, you can use them to clean your toilet bowl.
To use this method, follow the instructions below:
1) Flush the toilet to clear the bowl, then close the flapper to prevent it from filling up again.
2) Once done, fill the bowl close to the top with a few litres of cola.
3) Let the drink settle for a few hours or overnight to allow the acidic soda to eat away at the stains.
4) The following day, flush the soda down the toilet and scrape away any leftover residue with a stiff brush or pumice stone.
Denture Tablets
If you don’t have vinegar, borax, baking soda, or cola with you, then don’t fret! One secret hack many homeowners use to clean stains is to use denture tablets. Denture tablets work as a powerful toilet stain remover, killing odour-causing bacteria.
You can find these tablets at your local drug store or supermarket like vinegar and baking soda.
To use this toilet bowl cleaning method, follow the instructions below:
1) Drop two denture tablets into the toilet bowl and let them dissolve.
2) Allow the cleaning solution to sit for a few minutes until the fizzing subsides.
3) Use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl clean, and be sure to get under the rim.
4) Flush the toilet to rinse away any residue.
As you can see, there are many ways to clean toilet bowl stains. Whether you use vinegar and baking soda, borax, cola, or denture tablets, each method effectively removes those pesky stains. Remember to be patient and consistent when cleaning, and you’ll see results sooner than you think.
How to Prevent Rust Stains in Your Toilet – Tips & Tricks
It’s one thing to know how to clean toilet bowl stains, but in an ideal world, you wouldn’t have to deal with them in the first place. Thankfully, you can do a few things to prevent rust stains from happening.
Regular Cleaning
Instead of waiting until the stains have built up, clean your toilet bowl once a week to keep on top of things. This will help remove any dirt or debris while stopping mineral buildup, leading to rust stains. If you can’t commit to a cleaning routine, quickly spray your toilet bowl with vinegar to maintain cleanliness.
Use a Water Filter
A water filter can help reduce the amount of iron in your water, which will help prevent rust stains from forming. If you have hard water, this is a great option to consider, as it can help reduce many of its problems. One type of water filter that can remove iron from water is reverse osmosis.
Replace your Pipes
Older pipes often corrode and rust, leading to stains in your toilet bowl. If you’re noticing more and more rust stains, it might be time to get your pipes replaced. This is a more drastic measure, but it’s worth considering if you struggle to keep your toilet clean.
Also looking to clean the rest of your bathroom? Here are some tips on cleaning tile floors, How to Remove Limescale and Clean Your Appliances, How to Clean A Shower Screen, and How to clean grout.
CalibreCleaning – Professional Cleaners in Australia for all Your Needs
CalibreCleaning understand that cleaning your home, whether it’d be your kitchen’s surface or toilet bowel, can be challenging and time-consuming. This is why our team offers professional cleaning services that are reliable and affordable.
We operate in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, and other major Australian cities, so no matter where you are, we can help. Get a free quote on our website or call Calibrecleaning at 1300 991 368 for all your cleaning needs! You may also avail of our end of lease cleaning services in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.