Nothing is worse than cleaning a stained toilet, and although it may seem unpleasant, do not worry, as these marks often form naturally due to a substance called limescale. Limescale can be found anywhere in the home where water is present, as it is made up of minerals left behind when hard water evaporates.
Over time, these minerals will harden to become a discoloured stain bonded tightly to a surface, and it will unlikely come off, no matter how much you scrub or pour bleach on it. However, Brodie Cook, a cleaning expert from Lucent Globe, has shared that there is a quick and easy way to deal with limescale, as all you need is a natural product called citric acid.
Brodie said: “Citric acid, a natural compound found in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, has powerful cleaning properties. It is a safe, non-toxic way to keep your toilet sparkling clean and free from harmful chemicals.”
Many people bleach to clean toilet stains, but it will not work on limescale, as it cannot break down the minerals and only lightens the marks.
A better option is citric acid, which naturally dissolves the mineral deposits and makes them easier to flush away, so you do not have to spend ages cleaning your toilet.
Citric acid can be found in lemon juice, but a more effective and crystallised version of it can be found in the cleaning aisle of most supermarkets. At ASDA, a 250g box of citric acid only costs £1.75.
Not only does citric acid get rid of difficult stains but it also antibacterial, so can help keep your toilet hygienic using a cheap yet environmentally friendly product.
How to use citric acid to clean a toilet
You will need:
- A box of citric acid
- Warm water
- Spray bottle (optional)
Method:
All you need to do is pour about one tablespoon of citric acid down your toilet bowl, making sure to cover the sides and the water line.
If you have limescale stains on your toilet, then mix a tablespoon of citric acid and warm water into a spray bottle, then use directly on the stain.
Once the citric acid is on your toilet, leave it alone for at least 30 minutes. You need to give the cleaning solution time to break down minerals and grime in limescale.
When the time is up, use a toilet brush to wipe the limescale and it should come off easily. If you have limescale on your toilet seat, clean the limescale away with a cloth instead.
Then, flush the toilet and your toilet you now be completely stain free and smell lovely. Citric acid is one of the easiest ways to get rid of limescale but some people like to use other acidic substances like white vinegar or even cola to get rid of the stains.