How to Remove Rust Stains from Toilet Bowl Naturally

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The key to effectively removing rust stains from the toilet bowl is both the cleaner and the process itself. Rust stains or mineral stains can generate in toilet bowls during long-term use. It is one of the most disturbing factors that stand in the way of that clean you desire.

There are various reasons why stains tend to ruin your toilet so often. But there’s no doubt that it screws up the look as well as damages the bathroom in the long term.

It is important to get rid of rust stains as soon as you see them. Growing rust is a continuous process; if you don’t take measures fast, it will gradually own the toilet bowl.

There are many products in the market claiming to be effective against rust. But most of them contain chemicals and toxic acids that are harmful to your health and the environment. So in this article, we’ve sorted out some of the best natural ways to remove rust stains from the toilet bowl.

Contents

What Causes Rust in Toilet Bowl

Before we get down to removing rust stains, we should know what actually causes the thing to generate in the first place. Why? It will help us take measures to prevent rust from growing so we won’t have to sweat over it. There are a few scenarios where rust stains or hard water stains can mark your toilet bowl.

  • The most common reason for rust growth in a toilet bowl is the presence of high iron. If you live in an area with water that contains high iron, or if your water source is similar to a well, rust tends to grow. Since you use water frequently in toilets, it’s the place with the highest chance of generating these stains.
  • Aside from iron-rich water, rust can also be produced from water with high minerals. Water that contains a rich amount of magnesium, calcium, lime, sulfate, and others is called hard water. Hard water is highly responsible for stains in the toilet bowl, as well as the toilet tank.

Once these minerals and irons are exposed to the oxygen in the air, they oxidize and color. Over time, they form stains over watery surfaces, hence, toilet bowls and tanks.

Related post: How to clean toilet bowl tough stains

Is A Rusted Toilet Unhealthy?

Yes, to an extent. Although toilet rust does not get in touch with your skin unless it is on the toilet seat, it can be very unhealthy. First of all, it looks gross. Therefore, you will feel hesitant to use a rusted toilet which will trigger your mind.

Secondly, if the toilet seat has rust on it, and your skin is in contact with the rust, you might develop an allergic reaction. Although there are a few health hazards, you might also get bacterial infections.

A rusted toilet can induce bacterial growth inside. If there is bacterial growth, it can make you sick. So it’s better to take care of a rusted toilet as soon as possible.

3 Natural Ways to Remove Rust Stains from Toilet Bowls

As we’ve discussed earlier, it is essential to remove rust stains from the toilet bowl as soon as you detect them. But after you’ve learned the reasons behind those stains, you might be wondering; well that’s tricky. (Because you can’t change the water, right?)

No worries, because there are simple and natural cleaning solutions that will help you get rid of any rust stains. You can also prevent rust stains in the toilet bowl using these methods. It’s easy to create a powerful cleaning agent using household ingredients.

Below are some of the most effective and environment-friendly methods to clean toilet bowl rust stains.

Before we start, there are a few essentials you need whenever you’re cleaning a toilet.

  • Gloves
  • Rags
  • Toilet brush

1. Vinegar and Baking Soda

Vinegar and baking soda are not only common in cooking, but they are also incredibly versatile for household cleaning. The combination of vinegar and baking soda is a miracle, can easily tackle rust stains and remove hard water stains in the toilet. It’s also a 100% natural solution, making it the best choice among others.

  • To start, take 1 cup of white vinegar and pour it into the toilet bowl. Try to spread it all over the surface as it covers the whole bowl. Let it sit for a minute, then take a cup of baking soda and sprinkle over the vinegar. It will create a chemical reaction and start to remove the stains from the toilet.
  • Use your toilet brush to apply the combined solution inside the bowl, under the toilet ring, cover, and at the bottom of the toilet. Let it work for 20-30 minutes.
  • Afterward, take another cup of white vinegar and pour it into the toilet. Make sure this portion reaches farther so that you can remove rust stains from the bottom of the toilet bowl.
  • Give it a few minutes, then scrub with the toilet brush to wipe off the stains. In order to remove stubborn stains, repeat the process. Flush the toilet after it’s done.

2. Fresh Lemon Juice

Yes, you can remove the unsightly rust stains by simply using lemon juice. Its natural acids help remove stains and prevent them from growing as well.

  • Squeeze a fresh lemon to produce a considerable amount of juice. Around 2-3 cups should suffice, depending on the cleaning job you need to work on.
  • Mix a cup of detergent with lemon juice to form a paste.
  • Apply the paste inside your toilet bowl. Make sure to get all of the surfaces especially the stained areas. Leave the paste to work for about 30 minutes.
  • After that, just a toilet brush and scrub inside the bowl to get rid of rust stains overall. Once you’re finished, flush the toilet.

3. Coca Cola

You’ve read that right. Coca-Cola is our favorite drink, yes, but it’s also useful in removing rust stains, and mineral stains in toilet bowls. How to use it?

  • Take a bottle of Coca-Cola and pour it into the toilet bowl. Sprinkle and spread the coke inside the toilet bowl to cover the whole area. Leave it for about an hour.
  • Afterward, just use a toilet brush to simply scrub off the stains. You will see the acids in coke have loosened up the rust stains and they’re easy to remove. Flush the toilet, done, dusted.

Recommended post: Best toilet bowl stain cleaner

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which works best in getting rid of stains in the toilet bowl?

In terms of cleaning or breaking down stains, vinegar works the best. You just have to pour down some vinegar in your toilet’s water tank and let the mixture of vinegar and water sit for a few minutes after flushing. This technique will remove rust or mineral stains gradually.

What is the most effective way of cleaning stains in the toilet bowl?

The best way to get rid of the stains in the toilet bowl is to use a mixture of Borax and lemon juice. You have to make a paste using this mixture and apply the paste in the particular areas using a sponge. Leave the paste on the spots for a few hours, then wash it off to get the most stain-free toilet bowl.

What are the best homemade ingredients for removing stains from the toilet bowl?

White vinegar and baking soda work best in removing stains from the toilet bowl. Less effective homemade ingredients are lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, and garlic. You can also use coke to remove stains from the soda-filled toilet bowl.

Why do I get brown stains in my toilet bowl frequently?

This might happen due to many minerals like Iron and Manganese in your toilet’s water. To prevent this problem, you need to run a water test in the toilet and find the ideal water softener. A water softener would help you get rid of the brown stains in the toilet bowl.

Is it all right for me to use bleach on the stains of my toilet bowl?

You can use bleach in the stains, but it might take a lot of time and energy. However, bleach is an effective cleaning agent for stubborn toilet stains. Also, you will get as effective a result as you want without ruining the toilet’s color.

Wrapping Up

It’s important that we give preference to natural products and ways of cleaning our house to live a healthy life. Keeping your toilet clean is among the first concerns.

You can also use some of the commercial products to remove rust stains from the toilet. We hope our suggestions will help you keep a rust-free toilet hygienic indoors.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  1. […] Related post: How to remove rust stains from the toilet bowl […]

  2. Good Information…

Cleaning Insider
Logo