There is nothing to worry about if you notice any strange crusty stains around your toilet waterline, as it is likely limescale. Limescale can build up no matter how clean your bathroom, as it is made from minerals in hard water areas and sticks stubbornly to surfaces.
Many people try to remove limescale using bleach or ordinary toilet cleaners, but these products are often ineffective and can even make the problem worse. If the chemicals react with the minerals in limescale, they can harden the deposit and make it even more difficult to remove.
However, Ariana Storniolo, a natural cleaning expert and founder of Greenify Me has shared that limescale is quick and easy to remove if you use citric acid.
She said: “I’ve been on the hunt for a zero waste toilet cleaner that was both easy and fun to make. Because, let’s face it, who likes cleaning toilets? Well, I finally found a recipe I can wholeheartedly enjoy: Citrus toilet fizzies.
“They’re so simple to make, easy to use and leave behind such a nice smell in the bathroom.”
Citric acid is an organic acidic substance found in lemons and can naturally dissolve the minerals in limescale and loosen it up to make it easier to remove.
When citric acid touches limescale it will create a fizzy reaction that will break down the stains, so you do not need to scrub or use harsh chemicals.
Citric acid is usually a cheap product that can be found in the cleaning aisle of most supermarkets like Tesco, where it costs £1.75.
It can also be found at hardware stores like B&Q, kitchenware stores like Lakeland and on online stores like Amazon.
How to make a natural toilet cleaner and remove limescale
You will need:
- 100g of citric acid
- 180g of baking soda
- One lemon zest (optional)
- 25 drops of lemon essential oil (optional)
Instructions
All you need to do is mix the citric acid, baking soda and grated lemon zest into a large bowl.
Baking soda acts as an abrasive base for the citric acid to help it stick to the limescale and also dislodge any other dirt in a toilet bowl.
If you wish, you can also add lemon essential oil to the bowl to help give your bathroom a fresher smell. However, it should be noted that lemon essential oil is toxic to dogs and cats, so it is best not to clean with it if you have pets in your home.
Add the solution to a jar, and your simple homemade toilet cleaner is ready to use. All you need to do is sprinkle a few tablespoons of the solution into your toilet bowl.
Let the solution sit for at least 10 minutes to give the citric acid time to break down the limescale. You can leave it for longer if you are particularly bad at limescale build-up.
Once the time is up, use your toilet brush to gently wipe any of the remaining limescale stains and they should easily fall away.
Flush the toilet and the bowl should now by completely clean so you can keep your bathroom looking its best without any expensive or chemical products.