Removing limescale/water stains from a toilet bowl

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Removing limescale/water stains from a toilet bowl

quickymart

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#303283 29-Jan-2023 23:24

When I moved into my place in early 2021 the toilet bowl was fine, no staining at all. For the last few months, it's looked terrible - really bad stains around the rim of the toilet seat, and it smells terrible. This is despite me using toilet duck, or Spray and Wipe on the seat. The water stains/limescale/urine/whatever it is is a constant stain around the rim of the bowl however.

Following on from the helpful suggestions re getting rid of ants, can anyone suggest something I can apply to this nasty, stubborn stain to remove it once and for all - or at least for a long time? It looks and smells horrible, and I don't want it looking like this if guests arrive.

Ideally something I can apply and just wipe off later - removing all the stains - would be ideal. I can supply pictures but be warned, it looks really bad.

Thanks (again) in advance :)

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#3029097 29-Jan-2023 23:29

Maybe try CLR cleaner, can get it from the warehouse - potent stuff!

https://clr.nz/how-to/clean-your-toilet-bowl/

quickymart

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#3029104 29-Jan-2023 23:54

Good suggestion, except I just checked and couldn't see it on their website, although I think I've seen it in-store previously so will have a look.

This is for the rim part of the toilet, by the way - inside the bowl isn't too bad, but it's more at the top (under the seat). Would that stuff work there too?

insane

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#3029106 30-Jan-2023 00:03

quickymart:
Good suggestion, except I just checked and couldn't see it on their website, although I think I've seen it in-store previously so will have a look.

This is for the rim part of the toilet, by the way - inside the bowl isn't too bad, but it's more at the top (under the seat). Would that stuff work there too?

I once read a sign in a restaurant bathroom that said "We aim to please, you aim too please".

I'm sure it'll work just fine :)

Oddly I found it in their gardening section after looking all over the tools and automotive aisles.

sir1963

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#3029134 30-Jan-2023 07:27

quickymart:

When I moved into my place in early 2021 the toilet bowl was fine, no staining at all. For the last few months, it's looked terrible - really bad stains around the rim of the toilet seat, and it smells terrible. This is despite me using toilet duck, or Spray and Wipe on the seat. The water stains/limescale/urine/whatever it is is a constant stain around the rim of the bowl however.

Following on from the helpful suggestions re getting rid of ants, can anyone suggest something I can apply to this nasty, stubborn stain to remove it once and for all - or at least for a long time? It looks and smells horrible, and I don't want it looking like this if guests arrive.

Ideally something I can apply and just wipe off later - removing all the stains - would be ideal. I can supply pictures but be warned, it looks really bad.

Thanks (again) in advance :)

White Vinegar. Put it in, leave for 12 or so hours, flush.

CLR is good for other surfaces that white vinegar would ruin, but the toilet bowl is ceramic.

White vinegar is also much cheaper.

If the white vinegar does not clean all the other stains (it should) then you could also try a dish washing tablet.

gehenna

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#3029135 30-Jan-2023 07:40

De-Solv-it might also help if left a while to soak

tdgeek

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#3029139 30-Jan-2023 07:51

Mix up baking soda with water, not too thick. Get toilet paper and "carefully" wet it (as it will fall apart) and put it where stain is. It will stay there by itself. Bicarb dries quick but the toilet paper will keep it wet so it can dissolve the stain. Check it half hour later, if need be let it soak longer.

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#3029141 30-Jan-2023 07:57

sir1963:
White Vinegar. Put it in, leave for 12 or so hours, flush.

CLR is good for other surfaces that white vinegar would ruin, but the toilet bowl is ceramic.

White vinegar is also much cheaper.

If the white vinegar does not clean all the other stains (it should) then you could also try a dish washing tablet.

CLR contains lactic acid 10-30% strength more acidic than vinegar's acetic acid. Supermarket vinegar is usually only 5% strength.
What is vinegar likely to damage that CLR wouldn’t?

"CLR may etch older sinks, tubs, and tiles. Avoid contact with wood, clothing, wallpaper, carpeting, natural stones, brass, copper, aluminum, galvanized metals, any painted, coated or sealed surfaces."

The OP's toilet stains are high up the bowl near the rim. To keep the acid in contact with the stain you could try wet paper towel on the bowl.

The local water here is from a bore and contains manganese. I've found getting rid of scale build up a slow process needing repeat application.

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gehenna

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#3029142 30-Jan-2023 08:04

Yeah it's all acid of some kind, De-Solv-It is basically a lemon juice bioweapon!

FineWine

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#3029144 30-Jan-2023 08:09

Try pumice stone toilet cleaner and NO they do not scratch the ceramic surface.

My Bro-in-law had tried all of the above until we discovered this pumice brush at a local cleaning supplies place. It worked 100%.

https://www.geekstore.co.nz/Toilet-Brush-Natural-Pumice-Stone-276206

https://new.grabone.co.nz/grocery-food/cleaning-supplies/p/pumice-cleaning-stone-set

google search results

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

Eva888

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#3029149 30-Jan-2023 08:24

Get a paper towel and soak in white vinegar and tuck it under the rim over the problem area. Keep it moist with vinegar. It will dissolve the problem. Then brush well with a stiff brush, use an old ex dish brush you can throw away, or toilet brush. It will need a few hours to dissolve.

djtOtago

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#3029156 30-Jan-2023 08:50

After soaking it with white vinegar or CLR, if there is still some staining try some Chemico. It is a slightly abrasive cleaner a bit like a paint cutter. It will of course take a bit of elbow grease.

Buy Chemico Cleaning Paste online at countdown.co.nz

quickymart

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#3029168 30-Jan-2023 09:29

Thanks for the suggestions. Just to clarify: the worst of it isn't in the bowl, it's around the rim - I don't think anything soaking way down in the bowl itself would help the rim. The toilet paper idea could work though - I might try that one when everyone goes back to work/school and I can leave it for longer without it being used.

I've highlighted where the worst of the staining is (using a stock Google image):

tdgeek

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#3029170 30-Jan-2023 09:40

quickymart:

Thanks for the suggestions. Just to clarify: the worst of it isn't in the bowl, it's around the rim - I don't think anything soaking way down in the bowl itself would help the rim. The toilet paper idea could work though - I might try that one when everyone goes back to work/school and I can leave it for longer without it being used.

I've highlighted where the worst of the staining is (using a stock Google image):

My toilet paper with baking soda worked a treat, in the toilet just the kid that stayed here a while used. Pee is acidic, bicarb is alkaline. Half hour soak, came off easy

gehenna

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#3029218 30-Jan-2023 09:44

A ceramic cutting paste may also help. I've used one on my vanity before when it got scratched by my wedding ring.

jonathan18

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#3029279 30-Jan-2023 10:43

When we had a significant build-up in the base of the toilet I used Barkeepers Friend; well, that and a good amount of elbow grease. I had tried the standard methods like baking soda, vinegar etc, but they just didn’t cut it (ha ha). It comes in various forms, including a liquid, powder and foam - I bought a set including these three, which has been useful for different situations. (Just don’t use it on cutlery, as I learnt to my embarassment!)

I think this is where I bought mine from (online): https://cleanpost.co.nz/

Edit: I remember it was here on GZ I got the idea of trying Barkeepers Friend - and sure enough this was the thread: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=141&topicid=257111

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