Cleaning expert's 'vigorous' toilet bowl stain solution lifts them 'in minutes'

09 August 2023 , 14:27

961     0

Toilet bowls can end up with a lot of unsightly limescale (Stock Image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It's a task that nobody wants to do, but when you're scrubbing stains from the toilet bowl, it feels as though you're using way too much brute force, and you're left thinking 'surely there's an easier way?' Toilet limescale can build up within a few days, especially if you're living in a hard water area, and it looks unsightly - and whilst you may be able to overlook it, your guests certainly will not.

Limescale is a chalky, scummy residue that can linger in other places like showers, taps, and glasses. It's usually off-white, or grey, and it can feel impossible to remove. Thankfully, Chris Wootton, Managing Director of the domestic cleaning business, Poppies shared his "golden rule" for removing toilet bowl stains - and it's quick and easy.

He said: "The golden rule for cleaning toilet bowl stains is to use non-alkaline products. Most toilet bowl stains appear in hard water areas, so it's important to remember that bleach won't work, and you will need to use an acid-based product such as limescale remover." He also shared that bleach doesn't actually get rid of the limescale, it just makes it invisible so it "blends in" with the rest of the toilet bowl, so this is why it always comes back after you use bleach - because it never actually went away.

So, to get rid of limescale properly, Chris suggested using white vinegar to form a natural cleaning solution which will banish it, rather than just covering it up. He said: "Making a vigorous acidic solution is best done by using white vinegar. Pour a half cup of bicarbonate of soda into and around the bowl and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Then, apply white vinegar over the baking soda. This produces a fizzing reaction that activates the acid and can break down the most stubborn build-ups of limescale. After about 10 minutes, scrub the toilet bowl thoroughly with a scouring pad." White vinegar can be purchased for as little as 29p in Tesco.

And, if there are any lingering marks after you've done all that, then he recommends using "lemon juice after you flush" as the acidic solution will lift the most "stubborn stains" and "deodorise the toilet bowl."

Cleaning guru shares why you shouldn't make your bed first thing in the morning

Have you got a story to share? Email: [email protected]

Danielle Kate Wroe