Reliable house cleaners understand the struggle of dealing with hard water stains, especially when it comes to the dreaded toilet bowl. But fret not, as there’s no need to rely on special products to tackle this unsightly problem. With a few handy considerations and a simple step-by-step approach, you can bid farewell to those stubborn stains and restore your toilet’s pristine condition. Say goodbye to the hassle and hello to a sparkling clean toilet once again! Let’s dive into the secrets of effortlessly removing hard water stains from your porcelain throne.

What do you need to clean hard water stains from your toilet?

There are a lot of recommendations about what to use to remove hard water stains in your bathroom. The reality is that hard water stains aren’t as hard to remove as you may think, and you’ll only need these two very common household items:

• Vinegar. As an acidic solution, vinegar dissolves mineral deposits exceptionally well.
• Toilet brush. The sturdy bristles on your toilet brush are enough to scrap the hard water stains in the bowl.

First, which types of stains are in your toilet?

Although most of the stains in your toilet are buildup from mineral deposits found in hard water, some could require an extra fix before cleaning them.

Usual toilet stains

Yellowish or light brown marks are the usual hard water stains in toilets. As mentioned, they form because water carries minerals that build up on the toilet surfaces and harden over time. You won’t require extra steps besides using vinegar to remove these stains.

Less common types of stains

High levels of iron and copper can stain your toilet bowl with colors that go from red to blue. Although you can try the method below to clean these stains, it might be wise to call a plumber first—these stains can mean your pipeline has corrosion problems.

Mold can also appear in your toilet as black or dark green spots. Cleaning mold stains may not be enough to get rid of them. They could grow due to cracks in your toilet bowl or high humidity in your bathroom. Be sure to check for those issues.

Step #1. Remove the water from the toilet bowl

When cleaning the toilet, it is usual to leave water in the bowl. However, hard stains at the bottom can get harder to eliminate if your cleaner is diluted in water.

To avoid that, close your toilet’s water supply valve and then flush your toilet. The water will drain, leaving the bottom almost dry.

Step #2. Cover stained areas with your cleaner

Next, pour 1½ cups vinegar into the bowl, focusing on the stained areas. Use your toilet brush to spread the liquid to hard-to-reach spots if necessary. The vinegar will then drip, accumulating in the bottom of the bowl and likely covering most of the mineral buildup. You can pour more vinegar if the stains aren’t fully covered.

Then, wait about 10 to 15 minutes with the lid closed so the fumes get trapped and help break down the minerals. 

Step #3. Scrub and flush

After the time has passed, put on your latex gloves, lift the lid, and brush the bowl with your toilet brush (including the bottom). Flush once to spot any lingering dirt, and scrub again if necessary. To finish, flush once more.

Is there a particularly stubborn spot? A pumice stone will help you to remove it quickly. Remember to wear gloves; you’ll need to hold the stone with your hands close to the toilet. Also, the pumice stone and stain should be thoroughly wet to avoid scratches!

Does CLR work to remove hard water stains?

CLR works faster than vinegar, but it might be overkill in most cases. If you decide to go with this powerful cleaner, follow the guidelines on the label to avoid damage to your toilet.

Keep your bathroom clean with BG011 Cleaning Services!

Do you want to avoid hard water stains down the line? Frequently cleaning your toilet prevents hard water stains from building up in your toilet bowl. 

Even if you don’t have time to clean your home, there’s an easy way to keep up with the chores: schedule a recurring cleaning with us! Our professionals will leave your entire bathroom and the rest of your house spotless every time. Get a free estimate now!