There is nothing as unappealing as brown stains on a white toilet bowl. These ugly stains and brown rings are usually caused by limescale buildup and are pretty difficult to eliminate. But not to worry, we’ll explain in detail how to clean any toilet stains with vinegar, so you never have to deal with eyesore stains again.
Water stains, grime, and dirt negatively affect the bowl and its tank. One way to ensure your washroom is clean and functioning well is by adding vinegar to the toilet tank.
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Benefits of cleaning your toilet with vinegar
- Vinegar is a biodegradable alternative, it doesn’t harm the environment like some other cleaners do.
- The acetic acid in vinegar is good for breaking down stains and deposits.
- If any of the toilet’s inner components are not working correctly, you can disassemble those parts and use vinegar to unclog them.
- It’s a non-toxic cleaner
- It’s safe to use around kids and pets.
- It’s cost-effective unlike commercial toilet stain removal products
How to clean toilet stains with vinegar
Whether it’s a weekly cleaning you’re doing or cleaning after grime has built up for weeks, vinegar can be your trusted choice to use on your toilet.
To clean with vinegar, you need the following:
- 3 cups of vinegar
- 3cups of water
- A spray bottle
- A toilet brush
- A roll of paper towels
Procedure:
Start with the tank:
- Start by cleaning the toilet’s tank. Why the toilet tank? Calcium, magnesium, and other minerals deposits in tap water tend to accumulate and corrode or plug up specific components inside your toilet’s tank.
- Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the tank and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Then, flush the toilet a few times until you’re sure you got all of the vinegar out of the water tank. The last thing you want is acid corroding the metal in your tank, so the vinegar should not sit for too long, just long enough to descale the limescale buildup.
Drain the water:
- Drain all the water from the toilet bowl by removing as much water from the toilet as you possibly can. This is a simple step and all you will require is a plunger and rubber gloves. Ensure your gloves are on before doing anything.
- Using a plunger, plunge the toilet into squeezing the water down the pipes.
- At the bottom of the toilet bowl, seal the end of it around the hole.
- Then push the plunger further down and pull up on the toilet handle. Do this several times to make sure you eliminate as much of the water as possible.
- With a towel, soak up any remaining water. If you don’t have a plunger, a plastic cup can still scoop out the water.
Cleaning the toilet bowl:
- Put 2 cups of vinegar in a spray bottle then spray some vinegar on the toilet rim and let it soak for a few minutes.
- You can also try soaking paper towels with vinegar around the toilet rim overnight or for just a few hours.
- Spray the rest of the vinegar into the toilet bowl.
- Allow the vinegar to soak for some hours.
- For stubborn stains, you may have to use your toilet brush to scrub.
- Scrub away any of the remaining stains around the toilet rim or inside the bowl.
Don’t forget the outside:
- The last step is to quickly clean the outsides of the toilet to get rid of all the bacteria that are growing in hidden places.
- Spray the entire toilet with vinegar, and allow it to soak for a few minutes.
- Then give the entire toilet a thorough rubdown using paper towels or a rag.
Your toilet should be clean by now; all you need to do is flush a few times to get rid of the vinegar. To be sure, you may have to scrub once more to do away with those stubborn stains. After that, you can admire your gleaming toilet!
FAQs
Should I use cleaning vinegar or distilled white vinegar on my toilet?
To clean toilet stains, you can use either distilled white vinegar or cleaning vinegar. Cleaning vinegar is slightly more acidic than regular distilled vinegar and works best, however one either will get the job done.
How do you prevent limescale buildup in a toilet?
To prevent long-term mineral buildup in your toilet, ensure you clean below the water level at least once a month. You can also consider installing a water-softener system that softens hard water, but hiring a pro is more economical.
What can you mix with vinegar for better toilet cleaning results?
You can mix vinegar with baking soda for better results. Most people use vinegar and soda solutions to unclog their toilets because they don’t damage your plumbing and can get rid of the toughest toilet stains.
How often should you clean your toilet?
Clean your toilet daily, or at least weekly to keep it gleaming. For stain prevention and best the results, make cleaning your toilet a regular routine to keep your bathroom smelling, looking, and feeling fresh.
Cleaning with vinegar is natural and easy
Nobody enjoys cleaning the toilet, but it’s not that hard to get rid of stains. The best part about cleaning with vinegar is that it is easy, inexpensive, and does not harm the environment. Not only does vinegar destroy germs, bacteria, and mold, but it also acts as a natural limescale remover because of its acidity.
