Causes and Types of Toilet Stains
Here’s an overview of the most common types of toilet stains.
Hard Water (Mineral Deposits)
Hard water stains build up over time in your toilet bowl because of minerals dissolved in water, such as magnesium and calcium. These can deposit on your toilet bowl, leaving behind brown or yellow rings. If you’re wondering how to get rid of hard water stains, you can prevent these stains from building up as quickly by installing a water softener on the water line leading to your home.
Rust
If you notice reddish-brown stains in your toilet, this can be rust caused by corroded pipes. Although you can remove the stains from your toilet bowl, you’ll also need to address the issue leading to the rust.
Mold
Mold, which is easily identifiable as black spots, can grow in your toilet around the waterline as well as under the inner lip of the bowl. Although mold can grow in any wet environment, it is especially prevalent in areas where the humidity is high.
Algae
Like mold, algae can grow in a toilet bowl due to excess humidity. If you notice a dark green stain in your toilet, it’s most likely algae.
Bacteria
Airborne bacteria called Serratia marcescens can settle on wet surfaces, like in a shower and in a toilet bowl, and create a pink-colored stain.
The Best Cleaner for a Toilet Bowl
Below you can find the top techniques for cleaning, sanitizing and brightening a toilet.
How to Clean Toilet Stains with Vinegar
For light stains or streaks in your toilet, you can use white vinegar to clean them. Here’s how:
- Flush the toilet to wet the surface of the bowl.
- Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and heavily mist the bowl surface. Allow the vinegar to sit for half an hour.
- Use a toilet brush to scrub away any stubborn stains.
- After the bowl is clean, flush the toilet to wash away the vinegar.
How to Clean Toilet Stains with Baking Soda and Vinegar
- Flush the toilet to wet the toilet bowl surface. Turn off the water to the tank and flush the toilet to remove the water in the bowl.
- Sprinkle baking soda around the surface of the bowl. Use a toilet brush to work the baking soda into a paste. Let the baking soda sit on the toilet bowl surface for at least 10 minutes.
- Pour two cups of white vinegar into the toilet bowl and close the lid. Let the mixture work on the stains for half an hour.
- Use the toilet brush to scrub away the mixture around the bowl.
- Turn on the water and flush the toilet several times to wash away any remaining cleaning solution.
How to Clean Toilet Stains with Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Here are instructions for cleaning a toilet with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. This technique is perfect for getting rid of hard water stains in a toilet.
- Pour one cup of hydrogen peroxide around the toilet bowl surface. Let it sit for 30 minutes to lighten stains.
- Use a scrub brush to loosen any stubborn stains.
- If stains remain, sprinkle a bit of baking soda around the bowl and use the brush again.
- Flush the toilet several times to remove the peroxide and baking soda mixture.
How to Clean Toilet Stains with Borax and Vinegar
Here’s how to clean a toilet bowl using a mixture of vinegar and borax:
- Flush the toilet to wet the surface of the toilet bowl.
- Pour approximately 1/4 cup of borax into the bowl. Use a toilet brush to spread the borax around the surface.
- Pour 1-2 cups of white vinegar around the toilet bowl. Allow the mixture to work for 20-30 minutes.
- Use a toilet brush to scrub away any remaining stains.
- Flush the toilet twice to remove the cleaning mixture.
How to Clean Toilet Stains with Pumice Stone
For tough stains that won’t wash away easily with a toilet brush, you can gently scrub them with a pumice stone. However, keep in mind that pumice stones are incredibly abrasive and can scratch the toilet bowl if you press down too hard. Before attempting to use a pumice stone to clean a toilet, test a small, nonvisible area such as under the rim of the bowl to determine how much pressure to use without damaging the surface.
How to Clean Toilet Stains with Cola
The highly acidic nature of cola can help whiten a toilet bowl and remove hard water stains. Here are instructions for using it:
- Pour approximately 16 ounces of cola around the toilet bowl surface.
- Let the cola sit on the surface for a few hours or preferably overnight to loosen the stains.
- Once you’ve waited the appropriate amount of time, use a toilet brush to scrub away any remaining stains.
- Flush the toilet twice to remove the cola.
Tips to Prevent Toilet Stains from Forming
Here are a few things you can do to make your toilet easier to clean:
- Clean your toilet each week to keep it fresh.
- Add a noncorrosive tablet toilet bowl cleaner to the tank.
- Always flush toilets that aren’t used often at least once a day.
- Clean the toilet tank at least two times a year.
FAQs on Cleaning Hard Water Stains
Here are some common toilet-cleaning questions Lowe’s customers have.
How Do You Clean a Badly Stained Toilet?
One of the best ways to tackle a badly stained toilet is to use baking soda and vinegar and a scrub brush. For details, see “How to Clean Toilet Stains with Baking Soda and Vinegar” above.
What Removes Brown Stains from a Toilet?
The easiest way to remove dark stains from your toilet is to apply white vinegar to the bowl and scrub the stains away with a brush. For more information, see “How to Clean Toilet Stains with Vinegar” above.
How Do You Get Hard Stains Out of a Toilet?
Start by applying white vinegar to the toilet stains to loosen them. Then add baking soda and use a scrub brush. See “How to Clean Toilet Stains with Baking Soda and Vinegar” above for exact instructions.
How Do I Get My Toilet Bowl White Again?
A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can whiten a badly stained toilet bowl. For instructions see “How to Clean Toilet Stains with Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda” above.