Are you tired of dealing with stubborn stains in your toilet that just won’t seem to go away, no matter how hard you try? If so, you’re not alone. In such a case, it’s necessary to know how to clean toilet stains, especially when the stains are caused by hard water, mineral deposits, or mold.
According to a report, 85% of the U.S. has hard water, which is actually a leading cause of toilet stains. But don’t worry, you can get rid of all these stains by using simple methods and household items. With that said, let’s take a look at the types of toilet stains and how you can clean them.
5 Types of Toilet Stains You Should Know About
Before understanding how to clean toilet stains, it’s important to know the types of toilet stains that can build up in your toilet bowl due to various reasons. Also check out our ultimate guide to bathroom deep cleaning to get rid of these stains in no time.
1. Hard Water Stains
These stains are usually yellow or brown and appear inside the toilet bowl. These stains form when minerals like calcium and magnesium from hard water build up over time. The minerals react with the surface of the porcelain and create tough stains that are often in hard-to-reach areas.
2. Rust Stains
These types of stains are typically red or orange and are found on the outside of the toilet. These stains form when iron in the water reacts with the toilet’s porcelain surface. Rust stains can be tough to clean and usually require a special rust-removal cleaner.
3. Dye Stains
Dye stains, which are often blue or green, usually appear outside the toilet. They occur when dyes from certain cleaning products react with the porcelain surface. Similar to rust stains, dye stains can be tricky to remove and usually need a specialized cleaner.
4. Organic Stains
Organic stains are black or brown marks which form inside the toilet from waste like urine or feces reacting with the porcelain. These stains are usually easier to clean since the water in the toilet bowl prevents them from setting in. However, urine stains outside the toilet can be more difficult to deal with due to its acidity.
5. Toilet Tank Stains
These last types of stains are typically yellow or brown and form inside the toilet tank when minerals like calcium and magnesium build up. Some people ignore tank stains, but if you prefer a spotless toilet, you can clean the tank too.
How To Clean Toilet Stains: 4 Best Ways
Whether it’s hard water stains, rust or dye stains, these five ways will guide you on how to clean toilet stains easily and effectively. This way you can mark this portion away in your home deep cleaning checklist.
Apart from this, the four best ways to clean the toilet are:
1. Coca-Cola
This might be surprising for people who drink coke regularly that it can be used to clean toilets, all thanks to its acidic properties. The phosphoric acid in Coke helps break down tough stains like hard water deposits. Here’s how you can use it to clean your toilet:
- Pour a full 16oz bottle of Coke around the inside of the toilet bowl, making sure to cover the stains.
- Let it sit for several hours or, for best results, leave it overnight to work on the stains.
- Use the toilet brush to scrub away the stains the next day and flush it to leave the bowl clean.
If the stain still remains, try out other methods.
2. Pumice Stone
A pumice stone is effective for tough stains, but it must be used carefully because it can scratch the porcelain surface of the toilet bowl. This method is best for removing rust and copper stains. To use this method:
- Wet the pumice stone and the inside of the toilet bowl to prevent scratches.
- Gently scrub the stains with the pumice stone, focusing on the toughest areas.
- Keep the stone and the bowl wet as you scrub to protect the surface.
- Once the stains are gone, flush the toilet to wash away any debris.
3. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural cleaner that works well on stains. Its acidity helps dissolve mineral deposits from hard water and its antifungal properties can get rid of mold. Plus, it leaves your toilet smelling fresh. To clean with lemon juice:
- Mix 1 cup of lemon juice with ½ cup of water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture inside the toilet bowl, including under the rim and around the seat.
- Let it sit for about 30 minutes so it can break down the stains.
- Scrub the stains away using a toilet brush and flush the toilet to wash away the lemon juice.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is also a powerful cleaner that can remove stains and kill germs in your toilet. It’s a safe option to use around your home. Here’s how to clean toilet stains with hydrogen peroxide:
- Pour ½ to 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide directly into the toilet bowl.
- Let it sit for about 30 minutes, giving it time to work on breaking down the stains.
- Scrub the toilet bowl with a toilet brush to remove the stains.
- If any stubborn stains remain, sprinkle a little baking soda on them and scrub again.
How to Clean Toilet Stains with Baking Soda and Vinegar
If you’re looking for an easy and effective way to remove tough stains, baking soda and vinegar make a great team. Vinegar acts as a natural cleaner and disinfectant, while baking soda works as a mild abrasive to help scrub away stains.
Together, they create a chemical reaction that helps lift stains off the porcelain, leaving your toilet sparkling clean. Here’s how to clean toilet stains with baking soda and vinegar:
- Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda around the inside of the toilet bowl and use your toilet brush to scrub the surface lightly.
- Let the baking soda sit for 10-20 minutes to help break down the stains.
- Pour about 2 cups of vinegar into the bowl now. It will fizz as it reacts with the baking soda, which helps lift the stains.
- Close the lid and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes.
- Afterward, scrub the bowl with a brush and try to focus on scrubbing the tough stains more.
- Lastly, flush the toilet to rinse away the vinegar and baking soda.
Repeat the process for a deeper clean if the stains still persist. You can combine this method with other ones to get the best results. Be careful to avoid common cleaning mistakes that most people fall into.
How To Get Rid of Brown Stains in Toilet Bowl
Brown stains in your toilet bowl are often caused by hard water and mineral buildup over time. These unsightly stains can be frustrating, but there are several methods to tackle this situation. Here’s how to get rid of brown stains in toilet bowl using a variety of simple solutions:
- Dishwasher Tablet: Drop a dishwasher tablet into the toilet bowl and let it dissolve for about 20 minutes. Scrub the stains with a toilet brush and flush. The cleaning agents in the tablet help remove stubborn stains with minimal effort.
- Borax Paste: Make a paste by mixing Borax with water or vinegar and apply it to the stained areas. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes before scrubbing with a brush. Borax is an effective cleaner for hard water stains.
- Sandpaper: For particularly tough stains, you can gently use fine-grit sandpaper to scrub them away. Be careful not to apply too much pressure to avoid scratching the porcelain.
- Citric Acid: Citric acid is another powerful stain remover. Sprinkle some citric acid powder into the bowl, let it sit for about 30 minutes and scrub with a brush. It works similarly to lemon juice in breaking down mineral deposits.
Keep Your Home and Offices Clean with Mill City Cleaning
If you’re still unsure on how to clean toilet stains, you should hire a professional cleaner to do it. At Mill City Cleaning, we provide top-tier commercial cleaning services designed to meet the needs of businesses and homes alike.
Whether you need a regular cleaning schedule or a one-time deep clean, our team is committed to delivering exceptional results every time. As your go-to Minneapolis cleaning service, we ensure your space stays spotless and welcoming.
Let Mill City Cleaning handle your commercial cleaning needs, so you can focus on what truly matters. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
FAQs
What takes off the hardest toilet stains?
To take off the hardest toilet stains, you can use baking soda and vinegar. It’s one of the best and most useful ways to remove hardened stains. Simply add two cups of vinegar and a bit of baking soda into the toilet bowl. Wait for 5 minutes for it to work its magic and scrub it off nicely to have a clean toilet.
How do you clean a badly stained toilet?
To clean a badly stained toilet, flush the toilet to make the surface of the bowl wet. Now fill any spray bottle with vinegar and spray it all over the stains. Wait for half an hour so the vinegar can sit nicely on the stains. Now use a toilet brush to scrub the stubborn stains and flush again.
How often should I clean my toilet?
Toilets are used daily which is why it’s mandatory to wipe them down or clean them everyday or every other day at the most. This cleaning also includes the exterior of the toilet bowl, top of the tank and the handle.