Get rid of toilet limescale cheaply with this 2-ingredient 'golden rule' that really works!
- Replies 0
Even though we all know toilets need to be cleaned regularly, it's still a job most of us would rather avoid. After all, it's definitely not the most pleasant room in the house!
But as much as we might dislike cleaning our toilet bowls, it's important to keep on top of it for hygiene reasons. And if you live in an area with hard water (hard water is water with excess calcium and magnesium, while soft water is free from these harsh minerals that can damage your home and body), you'll know that limescale can be a real problem.
Limescale is that chalky white substance that builds up on surfaces over time. If you've ever noticed a white film on your taps or shower head, that's limescale.
Not only is limescale unsightly, but it can also be really difficult to remove – especially if it's been allowed to build up over time. Even regular toilet-bowl cleaners might not be able to shift stubborn stains caused by limescale buildup. So what can you do?
Chris Wootton, Managing Director of the domestic cleaning business Poppies, has shared his top tip for removing pesky limescale from toilets... and best of all, it only requires two ingredients! All you need is some baking soda and vinegar. Yes, really!
‘The golden rule for cleaning toilet bowl stains is to use non-alkaline products,’ he says.
‘Most toilet bowl stains appear in hard water areas, so it’s important to remember that bleach won’t work, and you will need to use an acid-based product such as limescale remover.’
‘While bleach doesn’t get rid of limescale, it does make it invisible which blends in with the colour of the toilet bowl.’
‘That’s why toilet bowl stains appear to come back quickly, as they never actually went away.’
Limescale is unsightly and can wreak havoc on your plumbing fittings. Source: OpenAI
So how do you send limescale packing for good? The solution is actually incredibly simple.
‘Pour a half cup of bicarbonate of soda into and around the bowl and let it sit for at least 15 minutes,’ Chris says.
‘Then, apply white vinegar over the baking soda. This produces a fizzing reaction that activates the acid and can break down the most stubborn build-ups of limescale. After about 10 minutes, scrub the toilet bowl thoroughly with a scouring pad – you may need to use some elbow grease!’
‘Once you have done this, flush a few times to rinse it all away. This should have done the trick, but if there are any lingering marks, you can also try lemon juice after you flush, as the acidic solution can help lift the most stubborn stains as well as deodorise the toilet bowl.’
Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product with lots of uses, so it's definitely worth keeping a bottle in your cupboard at home. Not only will it help you to banish limescale, but it can also be used for cleaning everything from your kitchen sink to your windows.
So there you have it – a quick, easy and affordable way to keep your toilet bowl sparkling clean and free from limescale. Just remember the golden rule: use non-alkaline products (like vinegar) for the best results!
But as much as we might dislike cleaning our toilet bowls, it's important to keep on top of it for hygiene reasons. And if you live in an area with hard water (hard water is water with excess calcium and magnesium, while soft water is free from these harsh minerals that can damage your home and body), you'll know that limescale can be a real problem.
Limescale is that chalky white substance that builds up on surfaces over time. If you've ever noticed a white film on your taps or shower head, that's limescale.
Not only is limescale unsightly, but it can also be really difficult to remove – especially if it's been allowed to build up over time. Even regular toilet-bowl cleaners might not be able to shift stubborn stains caused by limescale buildup. So what can you do?
Chris Wootton, Managing Director of the domestic cleaning business Poppies, has shared his top tip for removing pesky limescale from toilets... and best of all, it only requires two ingredients! All you need is some baking soda and vinegar. Yes, really!
‘The golden rule for cleaning toilet bowl stains is to use non-alkaline products,’ he says.
‘Most toilet bowl stains appear in hard water areas, so it’s important to remember that bleach won’t work, and you will need to use an acid-based product such as limescale remover.’
‘While bleach doesn’t get rid of limescale, it does make it invisible which blends in with the colour of the toilet bowl.’
‘That’s why toilet bowl stains appear to come back quickly, as they never actually went away.’
Limescale is unsightly and can wreak havoc on your plumbing fittings. Source: OpenAI
So how do you send limescale packing for good? The solution is actually incredibly simple.
‘Pour a half cup of bicarbonate of soda into and around the bowl and let it sit for at least 15 minutes,’ Chris says.
‘Then, apply white vinegar over the baking soda. This produces a fizzing reaction that activates the acid and can break down the most stubborn build-ups of limescale. After about 10 minutes, scrub the toilet bowl thoroughly with a scouring pad – you may need to use some elbow grease!’
‘Once you have done this, flush a few times to rinse it all away. This should have done the trick, but if there are any lingering marks, you can also try lemon juice after you flush, as the acidic solution can help lift the most stubborn stains as well as deodorise the toilet bowl.’
Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product with lots of uses, so it's definitely worth keeping a bottle in your cupboard at home. Not only will it help you to banish limescale, but it can also be used for cleaning everything from your kitchen sink to your windows.
So there you have it – a quick, easy and affordable way to keep your toilet bowl sparkling clean and free from limescale. Just remember the golden rule: use non-alkaline products (like vinegar) for the best results!
