How to Remove Limescale from Your Toilet
Do you ever wish that visitors wouldn’t ask to use your restroom because it’s stained? Have you tried all you could to get rid of the white, chalky deposits in your toilet, but they just get darker and more apparent?
The presence of limescale in the toilet bowl can be a persistent issue in areas with hard water. This article will explain what is and provide some suggestions for removing it from your toilet.
What is Limescale?
Limescale is a hard, chalky substance that gathers in toilets, bathrooms, and kitchens. It is formed when soluble calcium bicarbonate is converted to insoluble calcium carbonate. The chemical can be found in taps, baths, toilet bowls, pipelines, and any other water source you come into contact with regularly.
When calcium and magnesium in hard water evaporate, they mix to form limescale. This is due to hard water’s high mineral content, which leaves calcium and magnesium deposits on the surface as it evaporates.
Why is it Necessary to Get Rid?
The most common reason for cleaning limescale is that it appears unsanitary and unappealing, especially when the toilet bowl is extensively soiled. The main risk posed by it is that as deposits form, they gradually reduce the flow of water in pipes, dishwashers, showerheads, faucets, and your toilet.
Restricting water flow means your appliances won’t be able to adequately wash your clothes and dishes; washing will be more difficult, and the toilet may not flush properly. It’s easy to see how this could influence your home’s hygiene.
What Doesn’t Work in Getting Rid?
There are a lot of misconceptions regarding how to remove toilet limescale. Many people believe that they can easily remove limescale with bleach or Coca-Cola. But both of these products will only change the color of the limescale that is already there. They won’t solve the problem.
Call Top Cleaning GB if you don’t want to spend too much time removing limescale deposits from your toilet. Our experts will offer you a high-quality professional cleaning service and give you their best bathroom cleaning suggestions.
What are the Best Ways to Remove Limescale from Your Toilet?
Pumice stone
If you’re cleaning using a pumice stone, make sure both the stone and the toilet are wet; otherwise, the porcelain could be scratched. Make sure you have plenty of water on hand and use the stone to rub away at the limescale in the afflicted area before washing it away. We wouldn’t suggest doing this to a new toilet because any damage you do could make your warranty invalid.
White vinegar
There are a few ways to use white vinegar. If you only need to clean a small area, combine water and vinegar (use a 1:1 ratio) in a spray bottle and apply the solution to the affected area before you scrub it.
If there are bigger areas of limescale, simply pour white vinegar over the entire surface, ensuring it is well covered. It’s best to do this last thing at night so it can seep into the limescale and destroy it completely. When you return, use the toilet brush to remove any remaining limescale deposits before flushing the toilet to remove them.
Baking soda and vinegar
Another popular way of getting rid of limescale from the toilet is with baking soda and vinegar. Pour one cup of white vinegar and one cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and leave it for 10 minutes. When you are using this to clean the toilet, it’s a good idea to use gloves and wear eye protection.
Leave the solution for another 25 minutes before you flush; guide the brush around so that the limescale is covered. This should clean the bowl thoroughly and remove all of the limescale from your toilet. It can be difficult to gain access to the u-bend to remove limescale, but any of these ways should suffice.
Sandpaper
There are sometimes stubborn particles of limescale left on the bowl that require a little extra elbow grease to remove. While using medium-grain sandpaper to slowly wear down and remove the stain is an option, we wouldn’t advocate it on a newly acquired toilet because you risk voiding your warranty if you damage the surface. If you decide to use this strategy, take care not to press too firmly. Once you’re done, simply flush away the residue and clean as usual.
How to Prevent Limescale in Your Toilet
It can be difficult to prevent limescale buildup since is formed by the mineral component of the water supply in your home (and is not a hygiene problem). Here are methods you can use to prevent from building up in your toilet:
- Water softeners
Installing a water softener in your home is another option, although it is more expensive. The minerals in hard water will be filtered out by these tools, so limescale won’t build up in your toilet.
- Vinegar or lemon
Once a month, pour a tiny bit of lemon or vinegar into your toilet to help prevent limescale buildup. The acidity can assist in washing away any tiny limescale deposits without the need for scrubbing.
Wrapping Up
As you can see from this guide, removing the limescale in your toilet is a simple task. However, if convenience and time are important to you, hiring a professional to clean your toilet may be the best alternative.
For people who live in hard water areas and want to keep their homes fresh and clean regularly, professional limescale removal is quite useful. Professional toilet cleaning can help you save a lot of money on repairs and new plumbing fixtures by preventing from forming on pipes and causing water clogs.
Top Cleaning GB is an end-of-tenancy cleaning company that knows what it takes to efficiently remove limescale. If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment for us to help you remove limescale from your toilet, do not hesitate to contact us.