Every homeowner dreams of having a spotless bathroom with a sparkling toilet. But, it is inevitable that stains will appear as a result of hard water and limescale. These two factors are the main suspects that can ruin the appearance of your entire bathroom.
These hard water stains can slow down and eventually clog drains, in addition to leaving behind ugly residue. Knowing how to remove hard water stains from toilet will guarantee you a hygienic and clean-looking toilet.
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Ways to Get Rid of Hard Water Stains in Toilet
There are various tools and household items that you can use to get hard water stains out of the toilet. Some of the effective home remedies include vinegar, baking soda, and borax.
You should also prepare a toilet brush and measuring spoon to rub off the stubborn hard water stains.
#1: Baking Soda and White Vinegar
You can easily clean hard water stains in toilet by yourself using common household products like baking soda and vinegar.
- First, measure a full cup of vinegar and pour it around the toilet, especially in areas where there are hard stains. Let it idle for a minute.
- Pour a full cup of baking soda (10 tablespoons if you use one) into the toilet bowl, followed by an additional cup of vinegar. You will observe that there will be fizzing, and such is a good indication. Let it idle for 15 minutes.
- To completely remove the stains, allow the solution to sit for up to 30 minutes after swishing it around the toilet using a toilet brush. Mix the solution around the bowl a few times.
- If there are remaining stains after that, scrape them away using a toilet brush. You can repeat the process by adding more vinegar and baking soda. Just make sure to rinse everything away by flushing the toilet.
#2: Borax and Vinegar
If you don’t have baking soda in your house or the baking soda procedure of removing toilet stains doesn’t work, consider using borax as an alternative in cleaning hard water stains in the toilet.
- With four tablespoons of Borax poured into the toilet bowl, stir the toilet water around using a toilet brush.
- Pour a full cup of vinegar into the solution and allow it to idle in the bowl for approximately 20 minutes.
- To completely eliminate the stains, finish the process by cleaning the bowl using a toilet brush and rinse it by flushing the toilet.
#3: Toilet Cleaner
Utilizing toilet bowl cleaner for hard water stains is the simplest way to eliminate unwanted residue from the toilet. But take note that in doing so, you should exercise extreme caution because such cleaners are damaging to the skin.
- Apply the solution all over the inside of the toilet bowl, let it sit for fifteen minutes, and then scrub to achieve a spotless bowl.
- A second treatment may be required for particularly difficult hard water accumulation.
#4: Pumice Stone
If there are still persistent stains due to hard water buildup in the toilet, then it’s time to consider using the pumice stone and be prepared for rigorous labor.
These stones, which are made of compressed and shattered glass, scrape away deposits without damaging porcelain fittings.
- Scrub the stain using the wet pumice stone all around the toilet bowl. It is preferable to have it attached to a stick to easily maneuver it when cleaning.
- Any debris can be removed with a little help from flushing in intervals.
- Use a toilet brush to swish the water around before applying one final flush.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes hard water stains in toilet?
Hard water stains are produced when hard water droplets dry and leave behind mineral deposits from the toilet bowl rim to the bottom of the water.
These stains are typically chalky white, but depending on the substances in the water, they can also be brown or rust-colored.
Are hard water stains permanent?
If you don’t get hard water rings out of the toilet the moment they arise, hard water stains may become irreversible.
It may be tempting to wait until cleaning day to treat a little stain, but the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to eliminate. So, as soon as hard water stains form, it is advisable to eliminate them right away.
Will vinegar and baking soda remove hard stains from the toilet?
Yes, they are common remedies for removing hard water stains from toilets and for a good reason. The chemical component of their mixture works well in dissolving substances stuck in the toilet bowl.
When combined, baking soda and vinegar essentially cancel each other out, unless you use them correctly and at the appropriate time. So, make sure you exercise caution and use the proper ratio in mixing them.
How to prevent hard water stains in toilet?
There are two advisable ways to prevent hard water stains in the toilet. First, maintain a regular plan for cleaning your toilet tank and bowl. Do this by pouring a full cup of white vinegar into the toilet tank once a month. Before flushing, let it sit for 30 minutes.
The other option is to invest in a household water softening system. This might cost you quite a lot of money so take some time to consider which works for you.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned how to remove hard water stains from toilet, it is essential to observe the consistent routine of cleaning your toilet bowl to maintain its cleanliness while ensuring a pleasant appearance.
Bear in mind the proper usage of Borax, vinegar, or baking soda because they all work well to get rid of brown hard water stains in the toilet. Purchasing an affordable toilet hard water stain remover is also an alternative to make your toilet spotless.
I’m Paulk Webb, and I work as a writer for Saveourwaterrebates. I’m happy to put in the time and effort to conduct market research to identify the most pressing issues faced by households concerning their plumbing. Feel free to check out our guides to get the most informed recommendations for how to solve your problems.