If you live in an area with hard water, you need an effective solution for cleaning your bathroom fixtures. That’s what I did! There are several chemicals on the market that promise to dissolve those hard water stains from anything, but I honestly want to avoid them. We live in a world that is overburdened with pollution. This is why I tend to use green cleaning methods, which turn out to be extremely effective at removing rusty, brownish stains and hard water deposits. In order to eliminate my brownish ring on my porcelain toilet bowl, I resorted to my secret green weapon: vinegar.
The two methods I use to remove rust and hard water stains from toilet bowls are vinegar-based. Using the first method is safer and is especially effective in removing hard water stains, while using the second method is especially effective in removing rust rings and harsh water deposits.
1st vinegar-based method
🛒 Supplies you’ll need:
▪ Vinegar
▪ Baking soda
▪ Toilet brush
▪ Measuring cup
🧽 Instructions:
◼ Take a cup of vinegar. Pour it in the toilet bowl, coating the entire interior, especially the areas with water stains.
◼ Allow the vinegar to sit in the toilet for ten minutes.
◼ Add a cup of baking soda to the toilet.
◼ Add another cup of vinegar right after the baking soda.
◼ Allow the two to fizzle in the toilet for about 10 to 15 minutes.
◼ Use a toilet brush to scrub off the water stains.
◼ Let the solution sit for longer. Repeat step 6 if stains persist.
◼ Flush the toilet.
2nd vinegar-based method
This method is not eco-friendly, but it will remove mineral stains and grime with little effort.
🛒 Supplies you’ll need:
▪ Borax
▪ Vinegar
▪ Toilet brush
🧽 Instructions:
◼ If you choose to use vinegar, add 1/2 to 2/3 cup to the toilet bowl.
◼ Allow the vinegar to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. For stubborn hard water stains, you can let it sit for an hour or more.
◼ Scrub the toilet lightly with the toilet brush trying to scrub off as much loose minerals as possible.
◼ Flush the toilet.
◼ Pour a 1/2 cup of borax into the toilet. You want to sprinkle this around the toilet bowl gently, allowing it to reach all the stains. (Start here if you are not using vinegar.)
◼ Use the toilet brush to scrub the stains.
◼ Allow the borax to sit in the toilet as long as possible. It’s best to leave it overnight.
◼ Give the toilet another good scrub, making sure all the stains are gone.
◼ Flush.
