Limescale makes the dreaded chore of cleaning your toilet a nightmare, but there is an efficient method to tackle those stubborn stains rather than endlessly scrubbing away. The unsightly brown stains that typically form at the bottom of your toilet are usually due to limescale, which is a chalky deposit left behind from minerals in water when it evaporates or heats up. It’s crucial to address limescale promptly upon spotting it, as it can become increasingly difficult to remove over time and may become a breeding ground for bacteria, mould, and a host of other germs, turning your toilet into a hotbed of unhygienic conditions.
Sophie, a cleaning guru and the brains behind Sustainably Lazy, has divulged that properly cleaning the toilet is straightforward but cautions against using bleach, as it doesn’t effectively combat limescale. While white vinegar would be the go-to natural option, Sophie recommends another acidic product.
She explained: “Limescale is an alkaline substance meaning it needs an acid to dissolve it. It’s basic chemistry.
“Bleach, which is made from a sodium hypochlorite solution, is an alkaline, too. It is designed to disinfect and remove stains. Bleach may whiten the colour of limescale, but it will not remove it.”
Sophie advocates for the use of heat and an acidic solution to eradicate limescale and suggests that there’s no need to resort to harsh chemicals when citric acid, a natural compound found in citrus fruits, is available.
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She recommended: “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.”
Citric acid is known for its reaction with limescale, making it an effective agent to dissolve and loosen stubborn stains in your toilet.
You can discover citric acid in lemon juice, but most supermarkets offer a more potent, crystallised form of the substance in their cleaning sections.
Sophie noted: “The price of citric acid is between £2 and £11 (depending on what size you buy), and it comes in paper or cardboard packaging.”
This natural cleaning solution is designed to work overnight for optimal limescale breakdown results.
Start by boiling a kettle of water, just shy of boiling point as hot water is key for tackling limescale, but boiling water could harm your toilet bowl.
Following this, pour the heated water into your toilet and combine it with approximately 120g of citric acid.
Let the citric acid solution sit overnight, then a simple brush wipe in the morning should reveal a limescale-free and sparkling clean toilet, all without the need for abrasive chemicals or scrubbing.