Toilets are fairly easy to clean, but if you ever notice a stain that will not come off no matter how hard you scrub at it, then you are likely dealing with a bad case of limescale buildup. Limescale can happen anywhere that has a water source. These stains are made of minerals from hard water evaporating and slowly forming into a hard, crusty layer.
If limescale is left alone, it can harbour bacteria and germs that will make your toilet extremely unhygienic, and it cannot be removed by simply pouring bleach down the bowl. Instead, the cleaning expert behind One Woman’s Notebook has shared there is no point using a harsh chemical cleaner on limescale as the best way to remove is a simply product made out of fruit juice.
The expert said: “Over the years, I’ve tried a LOT of different methods, before finding one that consistently works.
“Citric acid! I now only use citric acid for cleaning my toilets at home, because it is safe, natural, and most importantly – it actually is effective.”
Citric acid comes from the juice in citrus fruits like lemons, and this acidic solution is powerful enough to dissolve limescale, so it breaks apart naturally.
Limescale can only be removed with an acidic substance, as it bonds tightly to a surface, and bleach will not work, as it is a disinfectant.
Using bleach on limescale will only whiten the stain, causing it to appear invisible while the limescale remains and continues to build up, potentially leading to blockages in your toilet.
Some people use acidic solutions such as vinegar or cola to remove limescale, but citric acid is the most effective option, as it is also antibacterial and non-toxic, allowing you to clean your toilet easily.
The expert added: “The biggest issue with vinegar, soda, or store-bought cleaners, is the strength of the acid. Most of the time, it’s pretty weak.
“It’s OK for slightly dirty toilets, but if your toilets have serious caked-on limescale, you need some stronger acid”
How to use citric acid to clean a toilet properly
A crystallised version of citric acid can be bought in the cleaning aisle of most supermarkets. Simply dissolve three tablespoons of citric acid in warm water, then pour it down the toilet.
Then, leave your toilet alone. You can leave it alone for just a few minutes, but it tends to be best to leave it for a few hours or even overnight if you can. This gives the citric acid time to dissolve the minerals in limescale and loosen the stain.
Once the time is up, use your toilet brush to lightly scrub your toilet bowl and the limescale should crumble away. Flush your toilet and it should be completely clean again.
If any limescale remains, you likely have a particularly stubborn buildup. Simply repeat the process again, and it should easily come away, leaving your toilet stain-free in no time.