How to clean rust off a toilet bowl

As a result of intensive use, sanitary ware gradually loses its original appearance. Often rust starts to show through on the inner surface of the toilet bowl, causing aesthetic discomfort. Below are the methods to keep the sanitary ware clean and looking good for as long as possible.

Causes of rust

Rust on the surface of the toilet bowl is caused by a number of factors, the key one of which remains the increased concentration of iron salts in tap water. The solution is to buy capsules or tablets that change the chemical composition of the water.

In many cases, the source of rust is not galvanized steel pipes that are used for a long time. The optimal solution is to add the above tablets to the cistern. If there is no proper effect, it will be necessary to install polypropylene or metal-plastic pipes.

Intensive appearance of stains contributes to the rough surface of the toilet bowl. In particular, this applies to earthenware copies. At the same time, porcelain toilet bowls are characterized by a smoother surface, which is not so strongly exposed to contamination.

Rusty traces arise due to the leakage of the cistern. It is necessary to eliminate the malfunction as soon as possible, because otherwise the stains will soon appear again.

Removing rust by using household chemicals

These products include the following varieties:

• Abrasive. This group includes products whose cleaning effect is caused by the mechanical action of powder particles on contaminated areas. Substances are applied to a rag or sponge, then intensively wipe the stain until it disappears. Despite the positive result, the cleaning process will take a long time. There is a high probability of damage to the integrity of the surface of the toilet bowl by small sharp particles of powder.
• Alkaline. Means of this group do not damage the surface of the sanitary ware. They should cover the stain, and after 10-15 minutes wash off the remains of the substance with water. It should be taken into account that alkaline household chemistry is powerless in relation to ingrained contaminants.
• Acidic. Under the influence of these substances, contaminants are simply dissolved. They perfectly cope with various types of stains. It should be taken into account the fact that the use of these means at home requires compliance with safety rules. Before cleaning, it is necessary to take care of the presence of gloves. Immediately in the process, it is necessary to avoid contact with chemically aggressive substances on the skin and in the eyes. Acids are suitable for both earthenware and porcelain toilet bowls. At the same time, you should refuse to use them to remove stains from an enameled bathtub, because they dissolve the enamel.

NOTE. Do not use different household chemicals at the same time. Not only can this cause unpredictable chemical reactions, but it can also damage the surface of the toilet bowl.

Folk recipes

• Soak a cloth in vinegar and place it on the contaminated area. After 30 minutes or an hour, rinse the area well with water.
• Mix peroxide and ammonia in a ratio of 1:10. Use the resulting mixture to treat the stain and leave it for several hours.
• Cover rust stains with oxalic acid. After an hour, it is necessary to wipe the area with a sponge soaked in ammonia, and after – abundantly rinse with water.
• Contamination is required to carefully pour hydrochloric acid for a few minutes, and then – well rinse with water.

Little tricks

If there is no cleaning agent available, you can clean the surface of the toilet bowl from rust stains as follows:

• Apply toothpaste to the desired area and scrub with a brush.
• Moisten a rag with a drink such as “Cola”, “Sprite” or “Fanta”, placing it on the contaminated area. After a while, you need to rinse the spot with water.
• Cover the stain with electrolyte from batteries. After 15 minutes, wash off the liquid.
• If something did not work – order cleaning of the apartment from our cleaning company. Cleaning of the bathroom is included in any of the packages.

In order to keep the sanitary equipment as long as possible to retain its original appearance, it is necessary to carry out regular cleaning and in time to eliminate possible breakdowns. At the stage of purchasing sanitary fixtures, it is appropriate to opt for copies with a water-repellent glaze, which prevents the occurrence of contamination.