How To Clean Toilet Stains

You may have just cleaned your toilet but can’t get rid of those stubborn stains. These stains are usually caused by calcium, lime, iron, and magnesium that circulate in your water system. Particularly in homes that have hard water, minerals can build up quickly and leave a coating on the surface of your toilet bowl and be a hassle to remove. Below are cleaning tips to help you get stains off your toilet and leave it sparkling clean. If your lifestyle doesn’t allow you the time to tackle those toilet stains or clean your bathroom, you can book with SweepSouth to have your bathroom professionally cleaned and you don’t have to worry about cleaning your toilet or bathroom again. 

How To Clean Toilet Bowl Stains

Follow these steps to clean your toilet bowl and remove stains:

1. Firstly, you should gather your tools. You may want to wear rubber gloves if you’re grossed out. Your regular toothbrush should be on hand too, but you should also have a stiff bristle brush for stubborn stains. 
2. Next, turn off the valve where the toilet connects to the pipe to empty the water inside the boil. The handle for the valve can usually be found near the bottom or back of the toilet. Turning off the water to the toilet means it can’t refill while you’re cleaning it. After turning the valve, flush the toilet. Your bowl should be almost empty. This will make it easier to clean.
3. For cleaning your toilet, vinegar and baking soda are the best combinations for tough stains. Apply vinegar and then baking soda to the surface of the toilet bowl and then scrub with your toilet scrub.
4. Lastly, after scrubbing the toilet bowl, flush away debris and the cleaning solution. Your toilet will most likely be completely out of water at this stage. Don’t forget to switch the valve back on so you can safely resume regular bathroom activities.

Other Methods To Clean Toilet Stains

Here are other methods you can use for cleaning a stained toilet: 

1. White Vinegar

White vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent for almost all areas of a home. Vinegar will help to dissolve mineral scales and stains by working on particles so they attract to water and easily wash away.

1. Add 2 to 3 cups of vinegar to your toilet bowl, and pour it directly onto the stains. Alternatively, you can put a few pieces of toilet paper on the stain and soak the tissue with vinegar.
2. Let that soak for 2 to 3 hours. You may want to clean your shower doors or head, or anywhere else while you have the time.
3. Then come back to the bowl, give it a good scrub and flush everything away.

Safety Reminder: Never combine vinegar with bleach. If you typically clean with bleach, leave it out when it comes to cleaning with vinegar. Bleach and vinegar mixed creates a harmful toxic gas. 

2. Baking Soda And Vinegar

To give the vinegar a boost if the previous method didn’t achieve the desired results, you can add another powerful cleaner – baking soda.

1. Pour 2 cups of vinegar directly onto the stains. Spread it around your toilet bowl with a scrub brush and then let it sit for about an hour.
2. Next, sprinkle about a cup of baking soda onto the stains, then add another cup of vinegar on top of the baking soda.
3. You’ll see the acid react and create fizz in your toilet bowl. Leave to sit for another 15 minutes.
4. Scrub the mixture into the stains with your toilet brush. The abrasiveness of baking soda after the vinegar breakdown should let you easily scrub stains. If the stains aren’t removed completely, let the cleaning solution sit for an additional 15 to 30 minutes, then scrub again.
5. Finish by flushing the toilet to get rid of everything inside the bowl.

Tip: Sprinkle your toilet bowl daily with baking soda to help keep stains and other minerals from building up.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide And Baking Soda

Hydrogen peroxide is a proper disinfectant that not only cleans stains, but also kills viruses, bacteria, fungi and mould. When paired with baking soda, it will give you even more power.

1. Pour ½ a cup of hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stains.
2. Next, sprinkle a cup of baking soda on top of the hydrogen peroxide.
3. Leave the cleaning solution to sit for 15 minutes, then scrub the toilet with a brush and flush.

Regular Cleaning for your toilet bowl

It may take some time and several cleans to completely remove stains from your toilet. Once your toilet is stain-free, regular cleaning should keep it looking fresh.

Add these tips to your toilet cleaning routine to prevent buildup between cleaning:

• Clean your toilet once every few days. Spray the bowl with your commercial cleaner or an easy mixture of vinegar and water.
• Prevent build-up in the bowl by sprinkling the bowl every few days with baking soda to soften hard water spots and break down build-up.
• Wipe up drips and liquid. As soon as you notice water splashes or urine anywhere on the toilet, it’s best to get it cleaned up straight away so it doesn’t leave a stain.
• For hard water in the tank, a smart idea is to use a tablet product that can be placed inside the toilet tank. Every time you flush, stain-fighting water will be released from the tank.

Now you can head over to your toilet and try out one of these methods on the bowl. You’ll be surprised at how well you can clean it with vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide. Say goodbye to toilet stains! And lastly, don’t forget you can have your toilet, bathroom, and the rest of your home professionally cleaned by an experienced SweepStar. Simply book a clean, hassle-free with SweepSouth.