Bleach won't solve the problem, and neither will scrubbing with a toilet brush. Even though it may appear that the bleach is working at first, it is actually just bleaching the scale, and therefore changing the colour – so it won't be long before it's back to looking dark and unsightly once more.
“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.
The truth is that it doesn't actually remove the limescale. It just brightens the discolouration. In this case, it makes the limescale more destructive, as you can't see it and aren't aware of the damage it's doing.
Permanent Solution: Install a CWS Water Softener
A CWS Water Softener not only protects a home from the damaging effects of hard water but also removes the existing limescale that has been building over the years in the pipework.
Lemon juice and vinegar
Getting rid of limescale doesn't require expensive cleaning products! Lemon juice and vinegar can help you tackle most of your limescale problems — a win for your pocket and for the environment.
Harpic 100% Limescale Remover has been specifically designed to dissolve 100% of limescale and kill 99.9% of bacteria in your toilet bowl.
spraying the effected area with undiluted white vinegar. creating a mix of white vinegar and borax to scrub affected surfaces. lime water and water in a 50:50 ratio. Baking soda.
It is also widely used in horticulture. It is a versatile product. In addition to disinfection, the use of hydrogen peroxide helps to remove limescale and corrosion.
LIMESCALE is a common problem for all household taps, but cleaning experts have shared "cost effective" solutions to remove "very stubborn" deposits using only natural ingredients. This includes white vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice.
Some of the best limescale treatments are: Lemon - contains citric acid which breaks limescale down. Vinegar - diluted acetic acid attacks limescale. Bicarbonate of soda - when teamed with vinegar, baking soda produces a fizzing reaction that can break down almost anything, including limescale.
The experts said: "Fill a bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water, spraying the vinegar solution directly onto the areas affected by limescale in the shower. Let the solution sit for about 10 to 15 minutes to allow the vinegar to break down the limescale."
Even though it may appear that the bleach is working at first, it is actually just bleaching the scale, and therefore changing the colour – so it won't be long before it's back to looking dark and unsightly once more. The best way to tackle this problem is with an acidic solution, which can cut through the limescale.
Hard water stains can look pretty unsightly if they are not tackled, making the toilet looking dirtier than it actually is. You can also spray WD 40 in the bathroom or sink to deal with the same issue. It will get rid of hard water stains and limescale and make your toilet look much brighter.
Both vinegar and lemon juice will do a great job of removing any limescale deposits and freshening up your machines' innards at the same time. In a washing machine, use a large cup of either liquid in place of your usual detergent and run a normal washing cycle (without clothes).
Limescale can be easily dissolved using a mild acid solution, such as diluted white vinegar. For example, when descaling a kettle, simply fill the kettle with equal parts vinegar and water and leave for an hour before boiling and then letting stand for another 20 minutes.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Combination
With a ratio of one portion of baking soda to two portions of vinegar, mix these two in the zip-lock bag and tie it up well with a rubber band. Ensure it is airtight and let it soak overnight. In the morning, you will wake up to a very effective stain remover.
Fortunately, limescale is relatively easy to control because calcium carbonate is soluble in acidic solutions. It can be removed with almost any type of acid, though the one you choose will probably be dependent on the degree of the problem.
Limescale is caused by calcium and magnesium being left behind when hard water evaporates. Hard water, which is water that contains a higher mineral content, is the root cause of limescale. When it evaporates from a surface, it leaves behind calcium and magnesium deposits.
Baking powder for limescale
Baking soda is also an insider tip for removing limescale in the bathroom. Mix two or three teaspoons of baking soda with water to make a soft paste, rub it onto the spots and let it take effect. A few hours later you can easily and carefully scrub off the limescale.
Hydrochloric acid is much stronger than acetic acid, for example, and therefore tends to remove scale faster. Weak acids such as acetic or citric acids may be preferred, however, where damage to the substrate is to be minimised.
Soak a cloth in acetone then wipe it onto your surface.
Leave to work for several minutes then rinse. Personal protective equipment should be worn when applying: wear gloves, goggles and a protective mask and don't forget to air out the room properly!
Use Coke specifically when you need to remove problem stains like limescale or rust. If you want to avoid the risk of tinting your toilet with Coke, a light-colored carbonated soft drink such as 7UP or tonic water will also suffice.