Does the rusty look of your toilet make you ‘ugh’? Do you feel embarrassed to use it? Well, guess what, you don’t need to spend money on a new one. Rust stains can come off porcelain toilets in a matter of minutes. But toilets are not made of metal, so where does rust come from? The simple answer is water. Iron-rich water is the main reason for the yucky rust stain in your toilet bowl. A high concentration of other minerals can proliferate as well. You can remove rust stains from your toilet for a glossy look.
Let’s go over some tips on how you can get your toilet glistening once again.
Table of Contents
Tips on how to remove rust in the toilet bowl
Wear some gloves
Yes, you need to wear gloves before you begin to clean rust off your toilet. You don’t want all those bacteria on your hands. On top of that, some cleansing agents contain chemicals that can cause a burning or stinging sensation.
Cut off the water supply
Before you do anything, turn off your toilet’s water supply. This prevents the bowl from refilling and diluting the stain remover. Additionally, it exposes dirty areas that lie below the waterline.
Sprinkle the toilet cleaner in the bowl
Sprinkle the scouring gel into the bowl and cover all the surfaces. You can use homemade solutions like baking soda and vinegar. Other non-chemical toilet rust removal solutions include salt and lime, potato and dish soap, and Coca-Cola (this has to stay in the sink overnight).
Swish the cleanser throughout the toilet a couple of times before giving it some time to soak. A duration of 5-15 minutes is sufficient.
Note: if you choose to use commercial cleaners, adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions.
It’s time to scrub
Now that the stain is fully soaked, grab a toilet brush and give the bowl a thorough scrubbing. You can also use a nylon scrub brush, wrinkled aluminum foil, or pumice stone in place of a toilet brush. Do not use abrasive scrubs as they can mar the porcelain.
If the stain isn’t coming off, apply the cleanser again or try something a little strong (but not corrosive).
Rinse the bowl
Flush the toilet to get rid of the scum. Pour some water on surfaces that the flush did not cover. Now your toilet is as shiny as if it came from the store recently.
Preventing rust stains
You don’t need to wait until your toilet gets rusty to fix it. There are some preventive measures you can deploy. Here are some of them:
Scrub your toilet often
Well, it goes without saying that you need to clean your toilet often to prevent scums and rust from building up. This is also the only to keep your bowl looking presentable.
Install water softener
Water rich in iron is going to be the main cause of rust on your toilet bowl. If you install a water softener, you probably will never need to deal with rust throughout the toilet’s lifetime.
It costs around $600 to install a water softener. That might look like a lot, but in the end, it helps in your effort to take your home’s hygiene to another level.
Do not store metal cans or metallic things on the bowl
Put a metallic ring on your toilet for a day and remove it. You will get a circular spot of developing rust. How can metallic stuff get in the bathroom? Some hair sprays, air fresheners, shaving creams, and other cleansers have a metallic bottom. Keep these items away from the toilet bowl.
Warning
Most homemade toilet cleaning solutions can be mixed to achieve the needed efficiency. On the other hand, commercial toilet bowl cleaners cannot be mixed with anything (unless when specified). Adding lemon or bleaching agents to them can generate some toxic or smelly fumes.
Lastly, if you find yourself dealing with toilet rust frequently, then the problem could be due to iron pipes (especially in older homes). In such a case, upgrading your plumbing would be necessary. If your bathroom needs a complete overhaul, then consider going for the best toilets as they are easy to maintain.
Follow these tips to remove rust stains from your toilet and your toilet will always look inviting. For professional help check out these school bathroom cleaning experts.
Featured Photo by Hakim Santoso from Pexels
