It’s not because you don’t know how to clean; hard water stains are a natural occurrence with tap water and can build up anywhere in your bathroom. Sadly, they are particularly noticeable in a toilet, as they contrast against the usually light colors.
The problem can reach the point where it gets uncomfortable letting guests use the bathroom because the brown spots make the toilet bowl look unhygienic.
Although hard water stains look awful and are difficult to remove, there is a way to get rid of them. Learn how here!
How to eliminate hard water stains from your toilet
Hard water stains are caused mainly by calcium and magnesium in tap water. So, the best way to eliminate the buildup is by using the vinegar and baking soda properties to break down those minerals.
Step #1. Vinegar bath
Careful not to spill, pour a cup of white vinegar into the toilet bowl and swirl it over the stained surface with your toilet brush. Let it rest for about a minute to take effect.
Step #2. Make it fizz
Once time has passed, add a cup of baking soda and another cup of vinegar to the toilet bowl. You’ll see how an effervescent reaction starts. Then let it sit for 10 minutes.
Step #3. Spread the mix
With your toilet brush, spread the solution over the surface, not leaving any uncovered spots—focus on the stained areas. This time let it act for 30 minutes.
After the time is up, brush the toilet surface until removing any remaining stain. Then flush the water to rinse the solution.
Eliminate tough stains with a pumice stone
If there are remaining stains after completing the previous process, a clever (but risky) way to remove them is with a pumice stone. Wear gloves and use the toilet water to thoroughly wet the stained area and the stone to avoid scratching your toilet.
As you scrub, the stone residue will form a paste that will help you get rid of the stains more easily. Rinse every few minutes to see the progress you’ve made.
Warning: Pumice stone will damage plastic, laminate, marble, or fiberglass toilets. Even porcelain toilets can get scratched if the stone and the surface aren’t wet.
How to keep hard water buildup away from your toilet
As hard water stains are formed due to the minerals in the water, you can prevent them by installing a water softener. It works by reducing the calcium and magnesium ions in the water and replacing them with sodium ones. Another option is a charcoal filter.
However, even though filters and water softeners are effective, they are expensive. A budget-friendly recommendation (and equally effective) is to scrub the toilet every few days to prevent minerals from building up and hardening on your toilet bowl.
You won’t need fancy devices, just regular cleaning!
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