This post will help you learn how to clean a toilet, the best toilet bowl cleaner, 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.
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 and these 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 without harsh chemicals. I prefer not to use bleach or any other chemicals the require a mask to be worn during cleaning.
First, understand what causes hard water stains. Usually, it’s caused by minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron that attach to the surfaces.
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.
* 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 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 cleaning, I use baking soda and vinegar to clean a lot of my household items. To remove hard water stains, start by pouring a cup of vinegar into the toilet and swish it around using a toilet brush. Then, add a cup of
baking soda
. Swish. Add one more cup of vinegar.
Let it fizz and sit for about 15 minutes. Swish the mixture around making sure to remove all of the dirt and stains. Extra scrubbing with a brush or sponge may be needed for extra-tough stains. Let it sit for as long as possible before use. This 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.
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 Coke 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 amazing!
Did you know you can clean a toilet with Coca Cola? Here's how.
- 1 cloth
- 1 can of Coca Cola
- 1 toilet brush
-
Pour Coke around the toilet bowl.
-
Use a toilet brush to loosen up the stains.
-
Soak a rag in Coke and stuff it in the rim of the bowl.
-
Let it sit for a couple of hours.
-
Flush the toilet.
Before:
During:
After:
How to keep your toilet 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.
Want more?
Check out these how clean blog posts next.
How to Easily Clean Your Oven Without Chemicals
How to Clean Your Keurig – Easy and Quick
Why not show he “after” cleaning pics with the toilet seat up? Just wondering…
Prayers and blessings-
Jenn
it’s not even the same toilet
It is the same toilet in my kid’s bathroom. I just had the rim down in one of the pictures. I realized that later.
Not the same toilet – Look at the hinges and compare. Also top one has a logo – bottom one doesn’t
Try a little harder next time. It is the same toilet.
A. The seat is up in one picture and not the other.
B. Go look at the hinges on your toilet seat. It looks different when it down and when it is up.
The toilets above labelled before and after are NOT the same toilet – look at the lid hinges! What kind d if idiots do you think we are?
Thank you! I’m glad you think they are not the same, but they are in fact, the same toilet. That’s how well the toilet cleaning method works! These pictures were taken from my kids’ bathroom (the bathroom with the dirtiest toilet). It may appear to be different hinges because the after pic has the rim down. I forgot to take a pic with the rim up.
nope, the toilet seat is completely different
If you really think these are different toilets she did wonders finding two toilets with floor tile exactly alike.
After looking myself, looks to me its the same, That label everyone sees is on the cover lid, not the lid you sit on. Remember – the seat lid is down on clean one. Therefore, when the seat lid is up on dirty one you won’t see the label showing. Look again now. Yes, like someone else say said – the tile is the same too.
Sheesh! Much to do about nothing, huh. I agree with you! Did these other folks not go to the dentist and compare the pictures in the kids magazine?!
omg, I’d be more worried about how filthy the underside of the toilet seat is, ewwwwww!
You are not the first person to shock me when I read that yuo brush your toilet bowl once a week. I can’t imagine not doing this on a daily basis.
Why so mean? Use the ckeaning tip and try it yourself. Take it easy on the personal attacks.
Thank you for this post! I personally love it! I am using the coke on one toilet and vinegar/baking soda method on another! One Q.. how do you stick the rag in the rim of the bowl? It keeps falling for me.
As for these other comments… ignore them! You are doing great! I only have 1 little one and I can hardly get to cleaning the toilets 1x a week. If people have enough time to clean their toilets 1x a DAY — GOOD FOR THEM! Not my cup of tea! I would rather spend my time making memories with my baby girl then cleaning toilets! Also, I can TOTALLY tell it is the same toilet! Look at the tile and the shower curtain! Good Job Cha Ching Queen! Keep it up!!!
oh one more thing… if they are reading this they OBVIOUSLY need help cleaning their toilets! So to say the underside of the seat is dirty… of course it is! Its a kids bathroom AND you are in the process of cleaning it… so I would totally EXPECT it to be dirty…. ugh some people!
Cheers to you!! Thanks again for the post!
You are right
No one probably posts on this anymore and I don’t want to stir the pot but based on the tile, baseboards, wall color, and lighting both pictures obviously show the same toilet. I’ll sleep better knowing I added my two cents.
I was thinking the same thing.. it’s been awhile since any negative post.. you can tell it’s the same toilet..Adult bullies..
Thank I can’t believe the person argued with this woman who took the time to show us a great way to clean the toilets. She is blind or something because its the same toilet. The blogger explained about the pictures one has lid down and other its up it all matches. It shocked me to see something so clearly and have such a rude person argue with the lady doing this post. She needs to get a grip or hobbiesblogs life she’s got too much time on her hands to argue the way she did very rude. Your right adult bullies. Hey great job and ill be trying this method. Have a great day!
Bij de verplichte postcode velden boven in de vergelijkingspagina kunt u snel en eenvoudig alles in 1 vergelijken Wilt u meer
weten over de vergelijking van neemt u dan gerust op met
onze klanten service welke u terug vind onderaan iedere pagina.
Ya can forstau dae.
I am shocked by the nastiness of some people. Any moron with half a brain can see it’s the same toilet.
Not trying to be ignorant, but WE-40 and coke don’t touch calcium build-up. Need pictures? Can anybody come up with a better solution, other than a razor blade?
We’re did you hide directions for cleaning grout on tile bathroom floor & shower floor? It was iN pin interest or other home changelinghome cleaners
Best and easiest solution I have found is to wear a pair of gloves and grab a Mr. Clean magic eraser (the bathroom erasers not the regular ones) and scrub the inside bowl. Yeah sticking your hands in the toilet isn’t fun but it works on all the build up and makes your toilet look brand new. When I moved last fall it only took 10 minutes to clean years of build up (it was obvious none of the previous tenants had ever cleaned the build up and honestly we hadn’t tried to clean it in the 3 years either, we just did regular cleaning of the toilet a few times a week). Quick, easy and no harsh chemicals!
I like the idea of using something that isn’t so harsh that you need to wear a mask. Several of us have allergies, too, so natural products are better for us!
I have been looking for user, green friendly ways to clean and especially the nasty toilet. These are great tips, thanks!