No matter how hard you try to keep your toilet clean, your porcelain throne can end up becoming nasty circles. Fortunately, these streaks - caused by hard water - can be very easily (and inexpensively) cleaned up with a few simple methods. Toilet circles can be removed with common household products such as pumice stone, baking soda and vinegar, citric acid, and antiseptic wipes.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Cleaning with a pumice stone
Step 1. Pick up a pumice stone
Pumice is known for its ability to exfoliate and cleanse dead skin cells. If you have a piece of pumice stone lying around somewhere, use it to clean your toilet. Or buy a pumice brush that is specifically designed for this purpose.
Wear a work apron and rubber gloves if you plan on using a regular pumice stone as you will need to submerge your hands in water
Step 2. Submerge the pumice stone in water
Before you start cleaning the toilet, you need to soften the pumice stone with water. Place the stone in the toilet and wait 15 minutes.
Step 3. Rub all the circles with a stone
When the stone has softened a little, just rub the circles in the toilet with it. The pumice stone acts like a pencil eraser, erasing circles of hard water from the surface of the toilet! When you're done cleaning, flush the toilet.
Method 2 of 4: Cleaning with baking soda and vinegar
Step 1. Treat the toilet with baking soda
Baking soda is an effective, natural and non-abrasive cleaning agent that will clean your toilet circles without any problems. Simply open a can of baking soda and sprinkle a generous amount on the inside of the toilet.
Step 2. Wait 1 hour (or longer)
After a while, the baking soda will begin to eat away at the hard water stains. Set a timer for an hour and wait for the soda to do its job. While you wait, pour some diluted white vinegar into a spray bottle.
Step 3. Spray the vinegar on the baking soda
A mixture of vinegar and baking soda makes a very powerful natural cleaning agent. Take a bottle of vinegar and spray it on the inside of the toilet. Use only a small amount of vinegar at a time and add more as needed.
Step 4. With a brush, carefully wipe the circles in the toilet
If left inside for too long, the vinegar can damage the interior of the toilet. To avoid this, be sure to flush the toilet bowl at least three times after cleaning.
Method 3 of 4: Citric Acid Cleaning
Step 1. Apply citric acid to the surface of the toilet bowl
Open a bag of citric acid (available at many grocery stores). Spread the powder all over the toilet, making sure to cover the circles of hard water.
Step 2. Wait 1 hour
After treating the toilet with citric acid, set the timer to 1 hour. Make sure that the toilet is not used until the specified time has passed.
Step 3. Wipe down the toilet
Use a brush to rub the citric acid in the toilet in a circular motion. Pay special attention to circles for hard water. When done, flush out the toilet.
Method 4 of 4: Removing circles with antistatic wipes
Step 1. Do not rush to throw away old anti-static wipes
Another effective remedy for removing circles in the toilet is a regular anti-static napkin. Moreover, used wipes perform much better than new ones! After removing your clothes from the dryer, store the used anti-static wipes.
Step 2. Put on rubber gloves
At some point in this method, you will have to dip your hands in water. Wear rubber gloves to avoid contact with germs.
Step 3. Wipe down the toilet
Rub the circles in the toilet with a napkin until they disappear. When you're done, flush out the toilet. Anti-static wipes can be used to clean sinks, bathtubs, showers, and any other surface in the bathroom.
Advice
- Store-bought products like Lime-A-Way are effective alternatives to baking soda and vinegar.
- Use hydrochloric acid to remove stubborn stains. Use only a little acid and always in a well-ventilated area. Never work with strong acid without gloves.