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    Home » DIY & Cleaning » Cleaning Tips

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From Your Toilet

    Posted: Oct 29, 2014 · Updated: Apr 21, 2024 by Sara · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Removing Toilet Hard Water Stains

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    This post includes affiliate links. Please see my disclosure.

    I know, I know. You're thinking, "Seriously, Sara? You post all of these great recipes and photos on your blog and today you're showing us your toilet?" Well, yes, yes, I am. And just to warn everyone up front, you may want to take caution when reading through this post. What you're going to see here is not pretty, but it's effective. And I'm going to use my bare hands doing it.

    Ick. I know, right? When you're a mom there's not too much that can phase you anymore. My hands have held things and cleaned up things that I don't really care to talk about right here and now, but rest assured, my toilet IS clean - it's these pesky stains that I need to address.

    I'm ASSUMING that there are some of you out there that suffer from this problem as well, and I'm ASSUMING that's why you're here - to learn how to remove hard water stains from your toilet. If you're here just for entertainment purposes. . .welcome. I'm okay with that, too.

    So now you see what I've had to deal with. This is a toilet in our laundry room. It's hardly ever used. I think that's part of our problem. I've been making a point to use this toilet more often and it's been working in my favor. The kids never think to check that bathroom when they're looking for me. 😉 Okay, okay. I'm just kidding. Kind of. Sort of.

    So, this is really easy, peasy. What I'm sharing today is the EASIEST way to remove hard water stains from your toilet - without bleach, without harsh chemicals and without needing any sort of mask. All you need is a pumice stone and some elbow grease. Really? Really. Grab a pumice stone, dip it in the water and LET'S DO THIS!

    P.S. They also make pumice stones with handles, so if you're a bit skittish about sticking your hand in the toilet, try one of those!

    How to remove hard water stains from your toilet

    Let's talk as I scrub. First of all, you're welcome for getting photos of this. This was one of the strangest and most difficult shoots I've done in a long time. Imagine yourself with a camera in one hand and your other hand in the toilet. I did it for you. Why am I not wearing gloves? Because this is a toilet in my own home. Will I come and help you clean yours? I will come and SUPERVISE as you clean yours. If you have chocolate in your house that I can eat while I watch you clean your toilet. . .even better.

    How to remove toilet stains


    I absolutely get that some of you are not reading this post at all. You've just come to check out what the miracle cleaner is for making your porcelain toilet clean and sparkly again. If I were you, that's all the info I would want, too. So once and awhile it's just fun to be goofy to see if anyone is really paying attention. AND. . .well, this is truly who I am.

    Alright, see that powdery substance inside the bowl. That's just pumice stone powder that's rubbed off of the stone while I'm cleaning the stains off. Do you see the stains disappearing? Yep, this really works.

    How to remove hard water stains from your toilet


    There are a few faint marks still remaining in the above photo, but I wanted you to see the progress. The most difficult area of the toilet to reach is right below the rim of the bowl. Just keep working that stone and you'll be able to bring your bowl back to it's original splendor. Now the most complicated part. . .how do you keep the water stains from returning again?

    My best advice is just to clean the toilet more often and use the toilet more often. The two seem to go hand-in-hand, don't you think? Many of you may be asking, where do I find a pumice stone? Well, these babies are often used in pedicures and clear away the rough, dead skin from your feet. This post is getting better and better, isn't it? Try the nail polish/foot care aisle of your local drugstore or discount retailer. They aren't difficult to find!

    Best of luck to you and your toilet bowl. I can guarantee that once you try this, you will be amazed at the results. It's takes literally minutes and I promise that the pumice stone will not scratch a porcelain surface. It's funny how something so natural can clean better than some of the harshest cleansers out there. But it just goes to show you how helpful a piece of hardened lava foam can truly be! Have you discovered any other natural cleaners that have surprised you with their effectiveness?

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From Your Toilet

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    Comments

    1. Andy Parmar

      March 15, 2020 at 1:44 pm

      Hey Sara, what is your opinion about using toilet bowl and tank cleaners like Clorox for cleaning the hard water stains for the toilet? Do they only clear the toilet blockage or they are also effective in erasing stains? Thanks in advance for your help.

      Reply
      • Sara

        March 15, 2020 at 8:52 pm

        If they're hard water stains, even bleach and Clorox don't seem to cut it.

        Reply
    2. Linda

      March 03, 2019 at 11:31 am

      I used the pumice stone in my toilet and the toilet looks amazing - no ugly stains but it does scratch the bowl. You have to decide what is the lesser of two evils.

      Reply
    3. Joe Carrow

      June 28, 2018 at 10:59 am

      That's worked. These hard h2o / drinking water marks have got drove myself nuts and that I never understood how to get eliminate them. Whatever, Appreciate your sharing this great idea that works as good.

      Reply
      • Sara

        July 06, 2018 at 9:41 am

        Glad the tips worked for you, Joe!

        Reply
    4. Dennis J Coates

      April 15, 2018 at 7:14 pm

      Thank you, thank you, thank you. Finally, after every know remedy on the internet, this one worked in seconds.

      Reply
      • Sara

        April 15, 2018 at 9:51 pm

        I'm so glad this worked for you!

        Reply
    5. Sandy

      March 16, 2018 at 11:02 am

      I tried the pumice stone and it worked as stated. But I don't know what to do try for the box part of my toilet. The water turn the inside walls of my box brown and I am afraid of hurting the equipment. What helps

      Reply
      • Sara

        March 23, 2018 at 10:44 pm

        I never really worried about the staining in the toilet tank. As long as you have your bowl under control, in my opinion you're good!

        Reply
      • xy

        April 21, 2020 at 6:27 pm

        brown color might be something rusty in the box

        Reply
    6. sherry

      January 16, 2018 at 9:30 pm

      Home Depot has pumice stones in the cleaning section

      Reply
    7. Shwan

      December 09, 2017 at 3:27 am

      I had a toilet outside of my house. You may call it my garden toilet. It was neglected for 1 years and I thought I should use it again. Then I checked out the toilet and shocked to see a black toilet bowl with full of water strains. Then followed this steps and you know what? It's work perfectly and seem as well as these pics....Thanks!!

      Reply
    8. Artvani

      November 27, 2017 at 6:21 am

      I used steel scrubber pads.It also works well.Once in a way it is ok I think.IAm worried about the glaze of the toilet.

      Reply
    9. Callie

      October 02, 2017 at 10:35 am

      Thank you so much for this great advice!! It really worked!! Thank God too because im ocd when it comes to keeping my apartment clean!!!

      Reply
      • Sara

        October 14, 2017 at 9:24 pm

        I'm so glad it worked for you, Callie!

        Reply
    10. Penny

      July 10, 2017 at 5:15 pm

      Doesn't the pumice stone scratch the surface? w just moved into a brand new home and I would hate to ruin the surfaces.

      Reply
      • Sara

        July 16, 2017 at 9:45 pm

        Some people have said the pumice scratched their porcelain, but we haven't had any problems.

        Reply
    11. Suji Pak

      November 05, 2016 at 12:19 am

      I use lot of time pumice stone it work very good, but I have one toilet will not work I don't know why. suji

      Reply
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    Sara Zenner, blogger at Bitz N Giggles

    welcome!

    Hey, I’m Sara!

     Born and raised in Wisconsin, where family and fun are at the heart of it all - I inherited a deep appreciation for home cooking and family traditions. I’m all about quick and easy recipes, tidying up, and laid back “up north” living.

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