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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!
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.
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.
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?
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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
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!
brown color might be something rusty in the box
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Finally, after every know remedy on the internet, this one worked in seconds.
I’m so glad this worked for you!
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.
Glad the tips worked for you, Joe!
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.
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.
If they’re hard water stains, even bleach and Clorox don’t seem to cut it.