How To Clean A Toilet Bowl And Remove Hard Water Stains

This post will help you learn how to clean a toilet, the best toilet bowl cleaner, green cleaning options, and how to remove hard water stains.

I’m the one that is responsible for the majority of the cleaning in my house.  I have found some shortcuts for cleaning my oven, cleaning my Keurig, washing machine cleaning, and cleaning our mattresses, but I wanted to figure out how to clean the toilets quickly and easily.

Don’t you hate those hard water stains in your toilet? Even though the toilet is clean, it appears dirty with those dark colored stains.

If you have toilet bowl stains from hard water problems, you have probably found your way here looking for easy and quick ways to clean a toilet and how to remove hard water stains.

• Jump to cleaning with baking soda and vinegar.
• Jump to cleaning with borax and vinegar.
• Jump to cleaning with abrasion.
• Jump to cleaning your toilet with Coke.

Be sure to follow the DIY Cleaning Tips for the Home Pinterest board for this and more tips on ways to save money and time cleaning the house.

What Causes The Inside Of The Toilet Bowl To Look Gross

The first thing to cleaning a toilet bowl is to understand what’s causing the stained toilet bowl to look the way it does. The rust stains are generally hard water stains and not urine or other human waste.

Usually, it’s limescale caused by minerals in the toilet water like calcium, magnesium, and iron that attach to the surfaces of the toilet bowl. After understanding that you just need to pick your preferred green chemical or all purpose cleaner to break down those minerals. 

You can try getting a water softener. Amazon has a variety of discounted water softener options. Even with water softeners, you may still get some mineral buildup.

Fast and Easy – How to Remove Hard Water Stains

I have noticed that the less a toilet is used, the worse the water stains are. So, one way to limit the stains is through use. Occasionally, use or flush each toilet in your house.  If you have tried these tips, then keep reading for how to remove hard water stains and how to clean a toilet.

I have been in cleaning mode lately. Since having breast cancer, I try to clean more and have been more cautious about cleaning chemicals. You can read more of my natural and chemical free how-to cleaning tips here.

Also, if you are into natural cleaning methods check out Best Selling Natural Cleaning Products on Amazon or free and cheap books on cleaning without chemicals.

Here are a few of the toilet cleaning products I find useful for helping me clean the toilet bowls and get rid of toilet bowl stains. Keep reading to find out how I use them.

Now, Back To How To Clean A Toilet…

I did some research on the easiest way to remove hard water stains from toilets and how to clean a toilet. In addition, I wanted to find a toilet cleaner and bathroom cleaners without harsh chemicals. I prefer not to use bleach or any other chemicals the require a mask to be worn during cleaning.

* With all of these methods, try it on a small section of your toilet first before using the method on the whole toilet.

For best results, drain the tank first. Turn off the water valve behind the toilet. Then flush to remove all of the toilet water.

How To Clean Your Toilet Without Putting Your Face in it!

Good news! They now make extra long toilet wands and brushes so you don’t even have to put your face in the toilet bowl! Follow the tips below and be sure to grab one of these extra long toilet brushes.  There are often Amazon coupons and deals on cleaning products.

Quick Easy Ways To Remove Hard Water Stains And Clean Your Toilet

1. Baking Soda And Vinegar For Toilet Cleaning:

For natural green cleaning, I use baking soda and vinegar to clean a lot of my household items. To remove hard water stains:

1. Start by pouring a cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl and swish it around using a toilet brush.
2. Then, add a cup of baking soda.
3. Swish.
4. Add one more cup of white vinegar
5. Let it fizz and sit for about 15 minutes.
6. Swish the mixture around making sure to remove all of the dirt and stains.
7. Extra scrubbing with a toilet brush or sponge may be needed for extra-tough stains.
8. Let it sit for as long as possible before use.  

White vinegar and Baking soda is the cleaning method I prefer to use.

2. How To Remove Hard Water Stains With Borax And Vinegar:

Very similar to method one except use 1/4 cup of Borax instead of baking soda.

3. How To Clean A Toilet With Abrasion:

Scrub the toilet bowl with a rough scratchy item. Use sandpaper or a pumice stone to remove hard water stains. To avoid scratches on the porcelain, never sand or rub dry. This method a can also be used to clean the exterior of the toilet and the base of the toilet.

Dip the sandpaper or pumice stone in water first. Always check a small section to be sure scratches don’t appear.  This Pumie Toilet Bowl Ring Remover is a pumice stone made just for toilet cleaning. It shapes easily to flat or curved surfaces.

4. Harsh Chemicals In Toilet Bowl Cleaners:

If you are willing to use some chemicals, many people recommend The Works Toilet Bowl Cleaner. It has Hydrocloric Acid, kills 99.9% of household bacteria, and removes rust, lime scale & hard water stains.

5. How To Clean A Toilet With Coke!

I have heard that you can clean with Coke. So I thought I’d try it in the bathroom.   There are so many times we have a party and there are half drunk Coca Cola cans around the house.  This would be a great use for leftover cola.  I poured Coke around the toilet bowl.  I used a toilet brush to loosen up the stains.

Then, I soaked a rag in Coke and stuffed it in the rim of the bowl as well.  After letting it sit for a couple of hours, I flushed, and voila! So much better!  This is an amazing green cleaning alternative to harsh chemicals!

Before:

During:

After:

How To Keep Your Toilet Bowl Clean And Prevent Future Stains

To keep your toilet clean brush the toilet once a week to remove minerals/particles. This only takes a few minutes. I do this every week as I empty the trash can in the bathrooms.

Try a water softener. Here are some of the best sellers of water softeners and related products.

These will help with the toilet bowl. The best way to keep your toilet seat clean, is by telling the men who use the toilet to lift up the seat when they are going potty!

Want more?

Check out these these how to green clean blog posts next.

How to Easily Clean Your Oven Without Chemicals
How to Clean Your Keurig – Easy and Quick