We’ve all tried using harsh chemical cleaners to remove stains but there is a simple natural alternatives and one cleaning guru tells us how you can save money and remove limescale stains
Maintaining a sparkling loo can often seem like an endless task, but if you’re grappling with stubborn stains that won’t shift, you might need more than just a toilet brush. Limescale is a tenacious stain commonly found in toilets and occurs due to mineral build-up from hard water left behind after evaporation.
Many people fall into the trap of attempting to scrub away these toilet stains with cleaning products like bleach, but it’s futile as no disinfectant can dissolve the minerals. Using bleach on limescale will merely lighten the stain, yet the mineral deposits will persist and become even tougher to remove as they continue to accumulate.
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However, Sophie, a cleaning guru and the brains behind Sustainably Lazy, has revealed that the most effective way to tackle toilet stains is actually through natural cleaning alternatives such as citric acid.
Sophie explained: “The acid of my choice is citric acid because it is cheap and plastic-free. Alternatively, you could use white vinegar but I find citric acid is more effective and works out cheaper.” Limescale solidifies over time and clings to surfaces, meaning these stains must be dissolved with an acidic agent to be fully eradicated.
Citric acid is naturally derived from the juice of citrus fruits like lemons or oranges, making it gentle enough for your loo and safe for cleaning, yet potent enough to break down limescale.
It is eco-friendly, biodegradable and incredibly affordable as a crystallised version of citric acid can be found in most supermarket cleaning aisles. At Tesco and ASDA, a box of citric acid only costs £1.75.
You can also use white vinegar to get rid of limescale if you have any in your kitchen, but it has a very strong pungent smell so many people dislike using it in an enclosed space like a bathroom.
How to get rid of limescale using citric acid
Instead, boil the kettle, let the water cool down slightly and then pour it down the toilet bowl. Then, add 120g of citric acid to the toilet bowl.
Let the citric acid and warm water sit for at least 30 minutes but preferably leave it overnight. Citric acid needs time to break down the limescale, and it will need longer if it is a particularly stubborn stain.
When the time is up, simply scrub your toilet bowl with a toilet brush and any remaining limescale stains should easily come away.
This is an easy and almost effortless way to keep your toilet clean so you never have to spend ages scrubbing at it ever again.