It can be frustrating to notice stains in the toilet bowl, but there’s a way to remove them. Instead of using vinegar or bleach, try using a different cupboard staple instead.
If you’ve spotted brown, black or green stains inside your loo, it’s likely limescale. Limescale is a result of hard water, which leaves deposits like calcium and magnesium in toilet bowls. When the water evaporates from the surface, the minerals remain, causing unsightly staining.
Getting rid of limescale from toilet bowls usually involves using white vinegar, bleach, baking soda or specialised limescale removal products. However, Andrea Philips, from Airtasker’s lifestyle editorial team, has revealed how to remove stubborn stains using an unexpected item – cola.
Cola can be used to remove limescale from kettles, clean car windscreens, and remove mould and limescale from tile grout. Cola is highly acidic, which means it’s perfect for cleaning and removing limescale.
Its pH level of 2.8 makes it comparable to fresh lemon juice and vinegar. Ms Philips said cola can remove limescale stains from toilet bowls in just one hour.
She said: “It’s been well documented with videos that cola can help clean the toilet bowl. To clean it, pour cola around the inside of the toilet bowl and leave for an hour or so. Then flush and use the toilet brush to remove.”
If the limescale is particularly thick, it can be left overnight to work. When pouring the cola, ensure it covers the inner rim, too, as this is where limescale can be most concentrated.
A representative from Plumbworld has suggested using cola as a limescale remover, describing it as a “budget-friendly hack” that many people will already have in their cupboards at home.
However, the expert cautioned homeowners to ensure they are using the full-sugar version rather than the “diet” version of the beverage to remove limescale.
The spokesperson advised: “For best results, make sure to use regular cola, not diet or sugar-free versions, as these contain less phosphoric acid, which is key to dissolving limescale.
“You can also try heating the cola slightly before using it in your appliances, as warm acid can work faster on stubborn deposits.”
However, cola should not be used in coffee machines to remove limescale as it could leave behind a sticky, unpleasant residue if it is not rinsed through correctly.