To remove scale from the toilet, in addition to using the usual products (bleach, ammonia, and products specially designed for cleaning the bathroom), we can resort to commonly used elements, such as baking soda.
Since it is essential to keep the toilet clean to avoid foul odors and health problems from poor hygiene, we will review some tricks to keep it clean below.
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Five tips to effectively remove scale from the toilet
When a toilet is not clean, it has a yellowish or brown coloration, and, sometimes, it can even have ‘crusts’ in some areas. This is usually caused by the buildup of calcium and other minerals in the water supply. As well as bacteria and germs.
Tartar stains can be removed with the following mixtures we will discuss below. Best of all, they use commonly used materials found in most homes.
1. White vinegar and lemon
The combination of white vinegar with lemon is a natural disinfectant par excellence that, for decades, has represented an ecological way of keeping many surfaces clean.
Nowadays, chemical-free disinfectants are made for sale. The objective is to achieve a more sustainable product that takes care of the environment. In this sense, the preparation of a disinfectant based on apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and lemon in Guayaquilque is rescued, according to work carried out in 2019 by the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil itself.
The natural acids in both ingredients easily break down bathroom scale deposits. Its application significantly reduces stains and removes microorganisms that cause foul odors. These antimicrobial effects of vinegar may be due to its large amount of acetic acid, according to this study published by the Journal of Hospital Infection.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of white vinegar (125 ml).
- One lemon juice.
Procedure
- Add the juice of one lemon to half a cup of white vinegar and rub the mixture briskly over the areas you want to clean.
- Depending on the type of stain, you can use an abrasive sponge or wet sandpaper to make the task easier.
2. Cola and baking soda
Likely, you have ever seen a video of the cola trick as an option to unclog toilets and drains. You may not have known that its compounds can be combined with other products to remove the scale and stains on the toilet’s surface.
Even though there is a lack of evidence on the feasibility of cola soda to eliminate residues, Paula Vilas Eiroa, from the University of Miño, advises using bicarbonate to clean surfaces and combining it with other household products that are effective for further cleaning.
Ingredients
- One can of cola (330 ml).
- One cup of white vinegar (250 ml).
- Three tablespoons of baking soda (30 g).
Procedure
- On the clean toilet, pour the glue, covering the areas where the scale is concentrated.
- Let it act for 30 minutes, and brush it.
- Then, stir in the white vinegar and baking soda for a fizzy effect.
- Please wait another 15 minutes to act, rub them with a brush, and rinse.
3. Borax
Considered an excellent cleaning agent, borax is a valuable substance for disinfecting and bleaching the toilet in the home.
Although it is a little more aggressive than the previous ingredients, it does not cause substantial impacts on the environment or leave volatile compounds that are harmful to health. As a study at the University of Azuay rightly points out, it is a material used to clarify oxidized jewelry.
Fortunately, multiple studies have looked at the safety of borax and other products that contain the mineral called boron. A study published in the Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology journal established that healthy skin represents an effective barrier against this compound. Even so, it is better to use gloves when handling it.
Ingredients
- One cup of white vinegar (250 ml).
- Four tablespoons of borax powder (40 g).
- One liter of hot water.
Procedure
- Spray the white vinegar on the bath’s surface and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Scrub it with a brush, then add the borax powder tablespoons.
- Wear gloves and a mask or face covering when handling these ingredients to avoid accidents.
- After another 15 minutes, add a liter of hot water and remove the impurities with the help of a sponge.
4. Baking soda with hydrogen peroxide
A paste made with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can be beneficial in removing scale from the toilet bowl quickly and easily. Both ingredients offer a natural rinsing of surfaces and, incidentally, provide disinfectant effects for complete cleaning.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of baking soda (100 g).
- Two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide (20 ml).
- The juice of a lemon (optional).
Procedure
- Moisten the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide and use the paste obtained to clean toilet stains.
- Rub it with an abrasive cloth or sponge, and allow it to work for 20 minutes before rinsing it off.
- Optionally you can add the juice of a lemon to achieve a more powerful whitening effect.
5. Baking Soda and Ammonia
Instead of using water, mix the baking soda with a bit of ammonia (combine the content of one lid diluted in one liter of water approximately) and remove the tartar with the help of the brush.
With this mixture, you can remove the tartar from the toilet quickly and whiten those areas where dirt has accumulated. However, ammonia is a product that must be used with great care, as it can be toxic.
A recent study by several researchers at the University of California established that the spillage or improper use of ammonia solutions in poorly ventilated areas could generate potentially dangerous emissions. Therefore, try to use gloves and a mask to avoid complications associated with closed spaces.
Recommendations to avoid scale stains in the toilet
Apart from the tricks presented, the important thing is to implement a series of preventive habits that are useful to prevent colors in the bathroom. We leave you with the most important:
- Flush the toilets in your home every day, especially those that are not used frequently. Currently, as indicated in the book Interior Furniture Cleaning (2021) by José Manuel Perdigones Hita, the use of cisterns with discharge control is also implemented to save water. So, if you can, we recommend that you consider them.
- Clean the toilet at least once a week. The actual frequency depends on your usage.
- Clean the toilet tank once every two months—a dirty tank channels water with rust, mold, and mildew back to the bowl.
- Use non-corrosive tank tablets. Some products of this type contain strong chemicals that generate a similar effect over time.
- Do not throw liquids or objects down the toilet far from their conventional use. In addition to increasing the chances of clogging, interaction with some compounds can cause staining.
Scale in the toilet does not appear overnight. It does it gradually, giving you time to act and prevent it. Do not stop including all these habits to avoid stains and nasty smells.
Final considerations to remove scale from the toilet
When it comes to cleaning the bathroom and, specifically, removing the scale from the restroom, you must avoid some mixtures since they are highly toxic. One of them is a mixture of bleach and ammonia.
If you have not yet removed the scale from your toilet, choose any options we discussed (but only one, do not mix several options at once ) and start having an impeccable bathroom.
Finally, when cleaning your home, always wear gloves to protect your skin. And if you will use bleach or ammonia, remember to wear a mask for more excellent safety.