How To Remove Stubborn Stained Limescale From Your Toilet

I’ve lived in my Edwardian terrace house for 20 years this year. Whilst I have changed my kitchen and remodelled my bathroom, the toilet in my house bathroom is the same one that was here when I moved in. Now, new toilets are quite easy to maintain from scratch. But my house bathroom toilet has never really been pristine. I assumed it was because it was old. But in recent months, I have noticed some really stubborn staining in the toilet pan. I’ve tried all sorts to remove it, but it really wasn’t shifting. Until I found the ultimate solution. Here is how to remove stubborn stained limescale from your toilet bowl.

How To Remove Stubborn Stained Limescale From Your Toilet

I can’t say when I first noticed the staining start to build up. But over the past few years it really had got to look dreadful. And I had tried everything to clean it. Limescale hates acid, so I tried everything I could think of. And I had googled a lot! I had tried

• bleach
• fizzy cola (which only stained it more)
• specialist limescale removers from the supermarket like Viakal and Hg Limescale remover
• white vinegar  – which is supposed to clear everything – it helped but didn’t remove everything

Nothing seemed to be working, and I was getting more self conscious about my loo. I hated using some of the products, as they certainly were not environmentally friendly, full of surfactants and chemical agents. And then I realised I had the solution in my cupboard since making my bath bombs.

Citric Acid

I’d bought a box of citric acid powder to make bath bombs before Christmas, but still had half a packet left locked under the kitchen sink. It mentions on the side that it is good for removing limescale but did not mention toilets. I thought that I could try it and see.

I bought my citric acid at Wilkinsons, but you can get it here

After flushing, I removed the majority of the water from the pan using an old cup, leaving as little water in there as possible.

Then I added my half a packet of citric acid crystals.

Finally, I added some very hot water (as hot as your hands can stand – but not boiling water just in case your toilet cracks) from the tap to just above the staining line.

Remember!

This is an acid.

1. Use protective eyewear, gloves and clothes.
2. Try to avoid splashing.
3. Keep any remaining powder out of the reach of children.

I waited until the house was empty for the day, free of my little girl and OH, and gave the solution a few hours to get to work.

After a while the solution turned a really horrid brown colour. I flushed the toilet (taking care not to splash the acidic solution everywhere) and then checked how the bowl was.

I needed to clean away the final staining using an old toothbrush, but actually I was amazed with the results! My bowl was spotless!

Now I know that citric acid is a great natural cleaner for everyday use when diluted, but this just shows how effective it can be even in the most extreme circumstances. I am delighted to get my toilet back to looking pristine.

Find some more cleaning and household tips in this post.

And want to know some more kitchen zero waste swaps? Find some here!

Have you anywhere that could benefit from the intense cleaning action like this? Any tips or tricks you wish to share? Do comment below, or find me on social media.

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