How to clean a toilet from urinary stone, rust and other deposits: the pros and cons of various methods
Perfect cleanliness in the bathroom is possible, but it requires a lot of effort. Most housewives are sure of this.However, if you know the nature of the contaminants that appear inside plumbing fixtures and use well-chosen means to combat them, the task becomes much easier.
Let's talk about how to clean a toilet quickly, efficiently and without much expense.
The content of the article:
Three main enemies of toilet cleanliness
A sparkling clean toilet is a source of pride for any housewife. But, unfortunately, he doesn’t remain that way for long. A short time after cleaning, unpleasant red stains may appear on the surface of the equipment.
These are streaks of rust, a product of the oxidation of iron or other metal alloys. It seems that there is nowhere for it to come from in the toilet, which is made of ceramic with plastic parts.
However, there are several reasons for the appearance of rust. The first is the deplorable state of engineering communications. Old lines were made of non-galvanized metal, which inevitably corrodes over time.
Oxide particles fall into the water, which leaves a rusty mark on the surface of the equipment.
Frequent causes of rust stains also include iron-enriched water entering the water supply and leakage of liquid from the tank.
In addition to rust, it leaves marks on the surface of the toilet limescale. The intensity of its formation depends on the composition of the water used in the water supply system.
It necessarily contains various mineral compounds that settle on the walls of the toilet and form an unpleasant, hard grayish coating. The more lime compounds in the water, the faster plaque appears.
And the third “enemy” of cleanliness of plumbing equipment is urinary stone. It is formed similarly to limescale, the only difference being its composition. The stone is formed from minerals contained in human urine.
When the toilet is used carelessly or when flushed irregularly, urine residues linger on the surface of the toilet, forming a hard coating of an unpleasant brownish-yellow color.
Thus, there are three main types of toilet contamination. They differ significantly from each other in their chemical composition; accordingly, it will be possible to get rid of them using different means. Although there are universal methods of cleansing that will help in all cases.
I would like to note one more point. All types of contaminants first begin to be deposited where the surface of the toilet bowl has become rough or microcracks have appeared.
Most often, ceramics lose their smoothness after contact with overly hot liquids or objects.Sudden temperature changes are also extremely harmful to the toilet, as microcracks may appear as a result.
You need to know that budget models of plumbing fixtures are made from ordinary sanitary ware with fairly high porosity. This material is prone to the accumulation of contaminants. It is better to purchase equipment made from sanitary porcelain, which has an increased surface smoothness.
Where to start cleaning?
Whatever method of cleaning the toilet you choose, you should not forget about the preparation stage. First of all, you should take care of protection. All work should be carried out only with rubber gloves.
They will protect the skin on your hands from aggressive cleansers, and you shouldn’t forget about basic hygiene. The toilet is a place where pathogens accumulate.
For the same reason, it is advisable to wear an oilcloth or plastic apron. It is good that it covers as much surface as possible. This will prevent germs from getting on your clothes. If aggressive chemicals are to be used, a respirator should not be neglected. The respiratory tract must also be protected.
And a few more words about safety. Try to ensure that cleaning solutions do not come into contact with the skin, much less mucous membranes. If drops of the product do get on them, you should immediately wash them off with water.
When working with products with a strong odor, always leave the door to the toilet room open. The same should be done in the case when gas is formed during the interaction of cleaning agents.
It is advisable to start cleaning the toilet by removing the water.It needs to be scooped out of the device and poured out. For this it is very convenient to use a ladle with a long handle. Only after this can you begin to apply cleaning products.
We fight pollution with folk remedies
Not all housewives are ready to use aggressive chemicals in the fight for cleanliness and prefer to make do with milder “folk” remedies. There is nothing wrong with this, especially since these methods are quite effective.
Especially in the early stages, when plaque and stone have not had time to harden too much. Let's look at how you can clean a toilet using popular gentle methods.
Method number 1 - baking soda with vinegar
It seems that everyone knows how to clean a toilet with soda and vinegar, but there are some nuances here. First, prepare the baking soda; one package will be enough. After this, we moisten the inner surface of the equipment, so we will prepare it for processing.
Fill the toilet with baking soda. It will stick to a wet surface. If there are areas with plaque and stone, be sure to literally coat them with wet soda.
Leave the toilet like this for about half an hour. During this time, the soda will react with the contaminants and begin to destroy them. After the time has passed, take a container with table vinegar. If only essence is available, it is better to dilute it. Carefully pour the vinegar onto the soda-sprinkled surface of the toilet bowl. A violent reaction will begin, which will help remove contaminants.
We take a brush and scrub away the dirt, “helping” the seething chemical reaction.After it’s finished, go over the bowl with a brush again and rinse the toilet thoroughly. It will take several flushes, or if you don’t want to wait for the tank to fill up, you can rinse the equipment with clean water from a bucket.
Method number 2 - mustard powder
First, prepare the cleaning mixture. To do this, take two tablespoons of mustard powder, add an equal amount of crystalline citric acid and four tablespoons of starch.
Mix thoroughly until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. We begin to gradually add clean water. Stir until you get a paste. This will be our cleaning product.
We moisten the surface of the toilet so that the mixture sticks better. Carefully distribute the mixture over the bowl. Thoroughly rub the product into particularly contaminated areas and leave it like that for about half an hour. Then rinse with water and at the same time with a brush. Wash off any remaining product with clean water.
Method number 3 - vinegar and salt
This method is especially effective for getting rid of urinary stones. We need one glass of table nine percent vinegar. If it is not there, you can dilute acetic acid according to the instructions, which are usually present on the bottle.
Pour the vinegar into a container that is not afraid of heat, and begin to heat the solution. It is important to remember that at this moment a pungent odor may appear, so it is advisable to close the container tightly.
Heat the vinegar to a temperature of about 40C, then add half a teaspoon of salt and mix well. Using the resulting solution, carefully treat the surface of the toilet. In areas with particularly heavy contamination, increase the amount of product by rubbing it into the stone.
We close the toilet with a lid and leave it in this state overnight. In the morning, remove the solution along with the contaminants by draining the water from the tank.
Method number 4 - wood ash
To prepare the cleaning composition, we need an equal amount of wood ash and crystalline citric acid. Usually, two standard packs of lemon juice and the same amount of ash are enough. Mix everything well.
We moisten the toilet bowl and fill it with the resulting product. Leave it like this overnight. In the morning, clean the toilet with a brush and rinse it, washing off any remaining product.
Acid solutions of different concentrations
As you know, an acidic environment dissolves lime deposits and urinary stone very well. It is also effective against rust, so acids and products based on them are considered a good choice for cleaning the toilet.
In practice, various acids can be used without mixing with other substances. Using phosphoric acid is the best answer to the question of how to clean rust from your toilet.
The substance can easily be bought in a store, where it is sold in the form of an 85% solution. The product is a colorless, syrupy, very aggressive substance. You can only work with it using protection.
Prepare the cleaning product: take half a liter of clean water and dissolve 100 ml of orthophosphoric acid in it, mix until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.
We degrease the toilet bowl by washing it with any soapy detergent. After this, apply the prepared cleaning agent, treat the surface with a brush, preferably with natural bristles. Leave the bowl with the solution for a while. Depending on the intensity of contamination, it may take from 1 to 12 hours.
After a while, rinse the toilet with a weak soda solution. To prepare it, dissolve a tablespoon of soda in each liter of water.
Hydrochloric acid is also used to remove rust and plaque. But you need to know that it cannot be used for equipment with plastic and rubber parts, and its use is also excluded if the toilet is connected to a plastic pipeline. The acid will dissolve the plastic.
Approximately half a glass of hydrochloric acid is poured into the bowl, where it is left for 15 minutes. Then the surface is washed with clean water.
You can use citric and acetic acid for cleaning. Since their effect is somewhat weaker, this technique gives the best results. Toilet paper is soaked in vinegar and placed under the rim and on contaminated areas.
Do the same with citric acid, but since it is crystalline, it may be more convenient to apply it to a damp cloth. Leave the product on for several hours, preferably overnight. In the morning, rinse with clean water.
Oxalic acid is used similarly to citric acid.This inexpensive product can be purchased at hardware stores.
You can often hear advice on using battery electrolyte as a cleaning agent. This is really effective, but you just need to remember that the liquid contains acids, so don’t forget about caution and protection. Treat the bowl with electrolyte, leave it for 20 minutes, then wash it off with water.
Cleaning products with abrasives
Compositions of this type necessarily contain abrasives. These are very small, but sharp and hard particles, with the help of which mechanical surface treatment is carried out. Abrasives literally peel away dirt, thereby removing it from the surface. They are added in different quantities to cleaning products.
In any case, it is not advisable to use such mixtures on ceramics. This is especially true for sanitary porcelain. Abrasives leave marks similar to scratches on a smooth surface. Over time, more and more of them accumulate, the bowl becomes rough, literally “attracting” dirt.
If you still want to use cleaning products of this type, you should read the instructions on the can. Most often, in addition to abrasives, they contain some kind of bleach. Therefore, most manufacturers advise using their products in this way.
The powder is applied to a sponge moistened with water or directly to the bowl, after which it is intensively rubbed into the surface. Then you should leave the product for a while so that it “works” effectively. Then rub thoroughly with a sponge again and rinse with water.
Industrial cleaning products
This is a large group of different compounds made on the basis of acids or alkalis. The former are more effective, since the acid does a better job of removing rusty swelling and limescale.
But alkaline agents “work” well against organic matter; accordingly, they perfectly decompose urinary stones and fats. Let's look at the most popular formulations.
Gel-like “Cillit Bang” for toilets
All products produced under this brand have a gel consistency. They are packaged in bottles with a convenient spout-shaped dispenser, which helps deliver the solution to the most difficult to reach places.
The main active ingredient in the product is hydrochloric acid. Therefore, it is best used against rust stains and limescale. At the same time, do not forget about protective equipment.
In the line of products you can find compositions of directed action: against rust, for disinfection, for whitening or shine, against difficult to remove limescale deposits. Consumers appreciate the high efficiency of the composition, economical consumption and convenient packaging.
Among the shortcomings, the relatively high cost of the drug is considered the most significant. But the gel is very easy to use.It should be applied to the bowl, left for 15-20 minutes, and then rinsed off.
"Domestos" for the toilet
This brand produces a popular multifunctional product for cleaning toilets and other plumbing fixtures. The product contains alkali, which copes well with the destruction of organic matter. For this reason, the product does not fight limescale very effectively.
In addition, the product contains chlorine bleach, so it not only whitens rust stains, but also disinfects surfaces.
Several varieties of the drug are produced, differing mainly in fragrances. The latter are necessary to drown out the extremely unpleasant smell of chlorine. Consumers highly value the product for its high efficiency, thick consistency and economical consumption. One of the disadvantages is the sharp unpleasant odor of the drug.
Domestos is universal; when diluted, it can be used as a bleach and as a disinfectant for kitchen work surfaces. And in undiluted form, it and other equally effective products can be used for clearing blockages in sewer pipes.
Cleaning product “Toilet duckling”
A liquid preparation produced in bottles of a characteristic shape with a strongly curved neck, which allows you to apply the gel in the most difficult to reach places. Duck contains hydrochloric acid, so it copes well with lime deposits and rust stains.
Somewhat worse, but still effective, the drug dissolves urinary stones. The acid concentration is quite high, so the product is aggressive towards bacteria.
The drug has a pronounced disinfectant effect. When working with the composition, it is mandatory to use protective equipment. Buyers noted the good effectiveness of the drug, convenient packaging, and budget price.
Duckling contains chlorine derivatives, despite this it has a pleasant smell. The disadvantages include a liquid consistency, which provokes rapid consumption of the drug.
Cleaning tablets and cubes
Many housewives, thinking about how to clean their toilet from urinary stone, do not take into account the numerous tablet cleaning products. They are produced by most manufacturers of household chemicals. This is an effective multifunctional product that can not only clean equipment, but also disinfect it and deodorize the air in the bathroom.
Well-known brands produce products that are effective for one to two months. The water-soluble coated tablet is dropped into the drain tank. Slowly dissolving, it gradually “releases” the active substances into the water. As a result, the parts of the drain tank are cleaned. After pressing the flush button, the liquid enters the bowl, and it is also cleansed of all types of contaminants.
At the same time, the active substances easily reach the most inaccessible areas and clean them. Products can have a variety of scents; the user chooses any scent they like.
The tablets are quite effective, especially if there are no old contaminants. Among the disadvantages of the product, it is worth noting the rather rapid consumption of the drug, especially if a large number of people use the toilet.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
With the help of video instructions, you can solve some of the problems associated with contamination of plumbing equipment in the toilet.
An easy way to clean a toilet using Coca-Cola and citric acid:
Folk remedies for cleaning the toilet:
How to get rid of rust on a toilet bowl:
Cleaning the toilet is not the most enjoyable task. However, this must be done regularly so that you do not have to use aggressive chemicals later to put the equipment in order.
If, nevertheless, the plumbing has an unsightly appearance, you need to determine the nature of the contaminants and select the most effective cleaning agent specifically for them, since their range is very, very wide.
Are there other effective ways to clean the toilet from dirt and have you successfully applied them in practice? Please tell other visitors to our site about them in the comments section. Or have questions about the topic of the article? Ask them, we’ll figure it out together.
I regularly use some of the toilet cleaning methods described here, however, the method using soda and vinegar aroused my interest. If everything is clear with soda, you need one pack, but how much vinegar should you pour? Fortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to clean stubborn deposits, but I’ll take note. I believe the main method of cleaning is systematic prevention, treating the toilet with various chemicals.Then you won’t have to search hard for a way to get rid of unwanted rusting and deposits.
Each method has its pros and cons. Considering the chemical composition of the deposits that needed to be removed, I used the simplest method to dissolve the carboxyl deposits. I took concentrated vinegar essence and diluted it with regular tap water in a one to one ratio. The resulting solution was poured into a regular spray bottle that I had left over after I ran out of glass cleaner. Using this sprayer, I applied the liquid several times to the problem surface. The acid neutralized the alkali. The surface is clean.
Since this is a folk method, and as you know, all folk methods are characterized by approximateness and a huge number of recipes, here you can experiment as you please. Try mixing one to one - I think this is the most effective option.
Friends, there is a simple way to solve this problem - acetic acid 70% and any gel, according to Art. spoon. Use a sponge to create foam and apply. After the foam has dried, repeat if necessary. Store the sponge in a pl. glass with a lid. Cheap and effective.
Will baking soda harm white tiles?
Hello. It won't hurt if you use the solution. Of course, you shouldn’t scrape dry soda on the tiles.
The white tile will thank you)). For your efforts in scrubbing it with soda.
But soda and old plaque in the toilet, in my opinion, soda and vinegar are powerless.((
Baking soda and vinegar neutralize each other.