While it’s not unusual to have a few rust stains on a toilet, recurring stains could indicate a bigger problem than just an unsightly stain that requires scrubbing to remove. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to remove rust stains from toilet bowls and prevent them from returning.
Aquamanz Plumbing & Heating is Levittown’s trusted plumber, and we’re here to break down how you can effectively eliminate rust stains from your toilet. If you see rust stains in your toilet, call us at 516-402-3200 to request service from our experienced plumbers.
Why Do Rust Stains Occur?
High levels of iron particulates, iron plumbing pipes, or untreated metal components in your toilet tank can cause rust stains. Additionally, you may see dark hard-water stains more often if your home has “hard” water with minerals in it that leave a scaly residue on your sink, shower, and toilet.
When iron and minerals from toilet water combine, the rust particles cling to the porcelain, creating discolored rust and mineral deposits. You can remove rust stains from your toilet if you use the right products and techniques. One day of effective cleaning can make a lasting impact you’ll be grateful for.
If you clean your toilet and the rust stains come back, you might have an undetected plumbing issue. Call a plumber for an inspection to find the root cause and stop the stains from coming back.
6 Ways to Remove Rust Stains from a Toilet
Before you start cleaning, open the bathroom door and any windows to promote ventilation. You should also wear rubber gloves and protective eyewear to avoid direct contact with germs and cleaning products. Then, it’s time to gather your supplies. You probably already have most of these rust-busting cleaning tools in your home:
- Toilet brush
- Old toothbrush
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloth
In terms of the cleaning products themselves, you may not have to look further than your kitchen! Let’s explore seven cleaning products that can remove rust stains.
1. Citrus Fruits
Citric acid is a great tool to remove rust stains from toilet bowls. Grapefruits, lemons, limes, and other citrus fruits you may already have in your home contain citric acid. You can also find powdered citric acid at your local grocery or drug store.
If you use fresh fruit to clean your toilet, dip the cut edge into salt or baking soda to create a gentle abrasive to combat the rust. You can also combine citric acid with Borax powder, which features natural minerals. Stir this solution until it becomes a paste and let it absorb into the toilet for a few hours. The longer you wait, the better. Then, wipe away the paste and enjoy the beautifully cleaned porcelain.
If you don’t have Borax powder, you can use baking soda instead. If you use citric acid powder, mix it with water and use a scrub brush or old toothbrush to scrub away the rust stains. This will not only remove rust stains, but your bathroom will smell nice and fresh too.
2. White Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is one of rust’s biggest enemies. Vinegar is rich in acidic acid, which is highly effective in removing rust stains.
You can use food-grade white vinegar if that’s what you have at home, but the best option is cleaning vinegar because it has more acidity. You can find cleaning vinegar at virtually any store that sells cleaning products.
Mix the white vinegar with water and scrub the rust stains with a microfiber cloth. If you have a spray bottle, you can use that instead to evenly coat the stains. Allow the solution to soak into the toilet before rinsing it off.
For a more effective clean, you can pour baking soda into the toilet bowl and spray it with vinegar. Let this soak for at least 30 minutes, allowing the mixture to foam and bubble, then scrub it with a toilet brush. You can repeat this process numerous times if the rust stains are stubborn.
3. Commercial Rust Remover
If you go to a local store that sells cleaning products, you’ll find dozens of commercial rust removers. Most of them do a great job of removing rust stains from toilet bowls. Make sure to read the ingredients, as some of these products are harsher than others. You can also look up online reviews to see if some products are more reputable than others.
Once you pick a commercial rust remover, follow the directions on the back of the bottle thoroughly and enjoy a rust-free toilet in no time.
4. Pumice Stone
Pumice is a type of volcanic rock. A pumice stone is an effective cleaning tool as it’s suitable for cleaning virtually any hard surface. Wet the pumice and rub it gently on the rust stains before rinsing. The abrasive stone will gently scratch off the rust buildup, leaving a clean toilet bowl. Start with light pressure, then increase pressure as needed to remove the stain.
Additionally, you can use pumice stones and sticks for removing grease from kitchen appliances and grime from workshop equipment. These nifty tools are worth having in your cleaning arsenal.
5. Cream of Tartar
Yes, you’ve read that right! You can use cream of tartar to combat stubborn rust stains. Cream of tartar is a powdered form of tartaric acid often used in baking, but it can also remove stubborn rust stains.
If you have it in your pantry, mix it with water and put the paste directly on the rust stains. Let the mixture sit for a while, then scrub it gently with a brush. You should see a difference quickly.
6. Cola
Did you know that your favorite soda can help fight rust? Because of its acidity, cola can remove rust stains.
Turn off the water supply, fill your toilet bowl with the cola, and let it sit overnight. When you wake up, turn on the water supply and flush. If the rust isn’t completely gone, it should have broken down enough to make scrubbing a breeze.
How Often Should You Clean Your Toilet?
Keeping your toilet clean can help reduce rust and keep it at bay for the long term. However, when life gets busy, it’s easy to put this chore on the back burner. Unfortunately, rust loves dirty toilets, and you don’t want to find yourself scrubbing furiously because the rust has become overwhelming. Try to clean your toilet at least once a week, as this can avoid significant problems in the future.
It doesn’t hurt to take a couple of minutes to lightly scrub your toilet with a brush at the end of every day. This quick chore can save you time and energy down the line by stopping rust stains before they start. You use your bathroom multiple times a day, so it’s essential to keep it fresh and clean at all times.
How to Prevent Rust Stains in the Toilet
Once you put in the work to remove rust stains from the toilets in your home, you probably dread the thought of having to do the chore again a few months down the line. Fortunately, there are some ways to prevent rust stains from wreaking havoc in the future. Here are some tips and tricks to avoid rust stains:
- Install a water filtration system or water softening system to prevent hard water and mineral deposits
- Remove any metal decorations or products (hair spray cans, shaving cream bottles, etc.) from the toilet area
- Fix plumbing leaks as soon as possible
- Inspect your toilet tank to spot any corroded and rusty metal components
- Keep your toilet area as dry as you can
- Partner with a reputable plumber in your area for annual toilet inspections
Your Local Plumbing Experts
If you’ve tried every cleaning product and tool under the sun with little success, it may be time to turn to a plumbing expert. Home and business owners in the Levittown area can count on the highly trained and experienced team at Aquamanz Plumbing & Heating.
We proudly do business the old-fashioned way. We aren’t a big corporation; we’re in your neighborhood, and we strive for customer satisfaction every step of the way.
Plus, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee to show our dedication to every client we serve. It’s just what we do!
Every Aquamanz technician is certified, background checked, drug tested, and thoroughly trained. You can count on us to get the job done and answer any questions about your toilet services. With us, you can expect:
- A live, friendly cleaning when you call to inquire about our services
- Top-of-the-line customer support from start to finish
- Unmatched expertise backed by decades in the industry
- Prompt service
- Exceptional technicians
- State-of-the-art technology to address any plumbing issue
Contact Us Today
If you’re ready to remove rust stains from toilet bowls and avoid them from coming back in the future, call the reliable team at Aquamanz Heating & Plumbing today at 516-402-3200. We look forward to working with you.
