Tips&TricksFrom vinegar to citric acid: Beating limescale in your toilet

From vinegar to citric acid: Beating limescale in your toilet

Cheap and effective trick for cleaning the toilet

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4 May 2024 17:51

Cleaning the toilet isn't the most pleasant task, but to prevent limescale buildup, it's essential to maintain the cleanliness of the toilet bowl regularly. Reaching for tried-and-tested solutions can be a game-changer if you're battling unsightly stains.

Most toilet bowls tend to be snow-white, highlighting any dirt or limescale deposits instantly. Removing stubborn deposits can be a puzzle, leaving many to wonder about their origin.

Deposits and stains from limescale primarily stem from hard water, defined by a high concentration of minerals and calcium salts. This type of water leaves noticeable marks on surfaces like bathtubs, sinks, and toilet bowls. Coupled with irregular cleaning and the presence of bacteria or fungi, these factors can lead to permanent staining.

How to tackle limescale in the toilet?

The market offers a broad selection of products for combating limescale and other deposits. Chemical solutions are effective yet environmentally harmful due to their aggressive ingredients. Fortunately, eco-friendly alternatives provide a gentler way to achieve a clean toilet bowl.

Many homeowners wonder about the feasibility of home remedies for limescale removal. These methods are indeed efficient and offer a safe approach to eliminating yellow deposits and limescale below the waterline.

Vinegar or citric acid - the choice is yours

Vinegar or citric acid are your allies in the fight against limescale. Employing vinegar is a straightforward and widely adopted strategy for revitalising the sparkle of bathroom ceramics.

To eliminate limescale, introduce roughly 470 ml of vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it sit for several hours, ideally overnight. Scrub with a brush to remove the softened limescale more effectively, finishing with a flush.

For particularly tough limescale, removing as much water as possible by shutting the valve and emptying the tank, enhancing vinegar's concentration and efficacy is advisable. However, a potential downside is the lingering strong scent of vinegar. Citric acid serves as an alternative for those sensitive to this odour.

Mix citric acid with water, pour the solution into the toilet, and wait around 30 minutes before scrubbing the bowl. Citric acid excels at softening obstinate limescale for easier removal and also reduces stain and discolouration.

A simple and cost-effective mixture of baking soda and white vinegar

This home-tested concoction effectively targets persistent deposits. Add 1/3 cup of baking soda to the toilet, followed by 235 ml of white vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for roughly 30 minutes; the bubbling reaction helps soften and lift the limescale, readying it for removal with a brush. Follow up with a flush.

Leaving the mixture to work overnight may enhance its effectiveness. It's crucial not to combine this method with other cleaners, particularly chlorine-based ones, to avoid hazardous reactions. Avoid skin and eye contact, and rinse immediately with water if necessary.