The Solution One easy way to handle iron and manganese is to soak the tank, bowl, and toilet components overnight with white vinegar to break down the mineral buildup.
Citric acid
While vinegar is mildly acidic, citric acid is … more acidic. We used to get it from lemon juice but now it's extracted from certain types of moulds. More importantly, it's probably even more effective than vinegar for getting rid of that brown stain in the toilet.
The most common deposit on toilets is calcium carbonate (referred to as limescale), from water that has passed through chalk or limestone rocks. It's usually light brown/beige in colour. If it's stained with iron from water that goes through iron bearing rock,it will be darker.
Soak paper towel or toilet paper in the strongest vinegar you can find (look for cleaning vinegar, 10% acid) and make blobs like paper mache that will stick on the porcelain. Close the lid to slow evaporation, and leave the vinegar on the stains for several hours. Remove the mache, and scrub with a stiff brush.
White vinegar
All you need to do is pour a generous amount of white vinegar down your toilet bowl, let it soak in overnight, then scrub with a brush. Then flush to rinse, and voilà, your toilet is back to its former whiteness!
For example, applying white vinegar or lemon juice and scrubbing with a toilet brush typically works on newer stains. You can also try mixing white vinegar and baking soda if you need a stronger scrub. For older stains, using an industrial-strength cleaner like CLR should do the trick.
Always wear gloves when cleaning with vinegar to protect your skin from the acid. A special tip: Coca Cola – this fizzy drink contains phosphoric acid which also removes limescale and urine scale.
If CLR Grease & Oil Remover is left on a surface for too long it begins to dry and can be very difficult to remove.
Pour white vinegar into the bowl to cover the stained areas. Let the vinegar soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Scrub the stained areas with a toilet brush. If the stains persist, sprinkle baking soda on the remaining stains and let it sit for up to 10 minutes, then scrub again with the toilet brush.
While it can be put to a number of helpful uses around the home, WD 40 is particularly good at softening rust and limescale deposits in the toilet (and bathroom). All you have to do is spray it on the desired section of the toilet, wait a few minutes, then scrub it away with a toilet brush.
Who knew that dishwasher tablets could help keep your toilet sparkling clean? Just drop a dishwasher tablet in toilet bowl and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then, use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl and flush it. The tablet will help to break down any stains or buildup in the bowl, leaving it fresh and clean.
Red-brown rust stains result from the presence of iron in water, making itself at home in your toilet bowl, tub, and sinks. Air combines with the particles, causing them to oxidize and color. Over time, they build up on surfaces where water drips.
Common culprits include iron and manganese. When the water enters your toilet tank and sits for some time, these minerals can precipitate and form deposits, resulting in a brown tint. Higher amounts not only make your water taste metallic but also leave a brown sticky slime inside the toilet bowl and tank.
Apply baking soda to the tarnish and leave for a few hours. You can also use baking soda in combination with vinegar. Try a mild urine scale remover or limescale remover to tackle brown deposits.
We recommend using a mixture of ¼ cup of vinegar for every 1 cup of water. This ensures your toilet tank is being disinfected without causing damage, which the use of bleach or chemical cleaners can do.
The 'fizzing' reaction of the baking soda combined with vinegar can also play a part. That fizzing may help to break down the clog into smaller particles, making them easier to flush!
So, which one should you go for? It really depends on what kind of cleaning you need to do. If you're dealing with really tough, built-up mineral deposits, especially in your bathroom or kitchen, CLR might be the way to go. It's strong enough to handle stains that vinegar might struggle with.
Test on a hidden area before applying to the entire surface and apply directly to the stain with a brush, cloth, or sponge and let soak for 2 minutes. Rinse promptly with cold water. Never leave Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover on an area for longer than two minutes or mix with other household cleaners or bleach.
Customers say the Zep Calcium, Lime, and Rust Stain Remover is an effective and cost-efficient alternative to more expensive brands like CLR. Many users appreciate its ability to tackle tough stains, particularly in toilets and on various surfaces affected by hard water.
The acidic values of vinegar allow it to soften limescale and prepare it for scrubbing clean. Pour undiluted white vinegar into your toilet bowl, making sure you get it up under the rim where limescale often gathers and cover every part of the surface. Leave it for three to four hours and then scrub it with a brush.
Try this: Swish a cup of vinegar around in the toilet bowl using a toilet brush, then add a cup of baking soda, followed by an additional cup of vinegar. Let the fizzing solution sit for 10 minutes. Use a toilet brush to scrub stains. Let mixture sit for a few more minutes and then flush.
In conclusion, leaving vinegar in the toilet overnight is not recommended as it can cause damage to the porcelain surface. The best way to clean a toilet is with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar, followed by regular cleaning with bleach or other cleaning products for tougher stains or odors.