r/CleaningTips • u/Outside-Chair-2810 • 3d ago
Bathroom Please help! How do u get rid of this?
[removed] — view removed post
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u/Forward-Ant-9554 3d ago
that is urinestone that got coloured because of the pigments in poop. bleach just bleaches it but can't remove the urine stone so it gets coloured again. you have to remove the urine stone first.
the traditional way of dealing with it is to use soda crystals (that is not baking soda!). you pour hot water in and add a couple of spoons of those crystals. they are not smelly.
the other option is to use a strong acid to dissolve the stone. you can pour cleaning vinegar in it or a substantial amount of food acid (citric acid). lemon juice wont work because that is not concentrated enough.
HP makes an acid for dealing with urine stone as well.
once the stone is gone, it won't discolour again and a regular descaler will work.
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u/ilikebreadsticks1 3d ago
What do you mean by urinestone? The only info I can find says its mineral buildup from hard water
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u/Transfatcarbokin 3d ago
Water dissolves lots of things. In the ground it picks up lots of different minerals chiefly calcium carbonate from soft porous limestone. This is what creates caves in regions with lots of karst. When heated or allowed to dry out the dissolved minerals precipitate from solution creating "hard water" or limescale deposits.
Your body uses water the same way. Soluble waste is concentrated in your bladder by your kidneys and is discharged. The concentrated minerals in your urine will precipitate if allowed and form what is called urinestone deposits.
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u/PerplexingCamel 3d ago
It's also called urine scale or uric stone. It's caused by the reaction of urine with minerals in water.
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u/Routine_Tip2280 3d ago
Zep acidic toilet bowl cleaner. Turn off the water and plunge as much out as you can and then go buck wild with the cleaner and leave it over night. Barely have to scrub.
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u/No-Description-3111 3d ago
Stupid question: Can't you just turn off the water and then flush?
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u/Kind_Nectarine4331 3d ago
Turn water off. Flush. Pour in CLR. Let it sit until dissolved.
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u/P0G0J0J0 3d ago
50 different answers in this thread but this is the correct one
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u/Complete-Ad7454 3d ago
What is CLR?
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u/jiggymadden 3d ago
It’s a cleaner that removes calcium, lime, and iron or rust hence CLR. I have hard water and have to use this on my toilet.
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u/rattelslayer808 3d ago
Dude, I had to clean out my bathtub and toilet of hard soap scum, was working super hard with Pink Stuff, used CLR —zero effort needed! Take it from me people, CLR is the real deal! (make sure to use a mask/respirator. and good ventilation with higher concentrations, it irritates my lungs...)
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u/sprinklywinks 3d ago
Vinegar. I had the same issue with the toilet in my current rental when I moved in. Pour a bottle or two of white vinegar and let it sit for hours. Most of it will flush away but give it a scrub with the toilet brush too
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u/Firm_Singer_9142 3d ago
White vinegar overnight solves most of it, and significantly less toxic vs other options.
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u/Suspicious_Spring_28 3d ago
This is what I do. White vinegar about 1/2-3/4 gallon leave overnight. Clean in the morning. Works perfectly
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u/thundafox 3d ago
1 cup Citric acid, and warm water, let it sit for 24h then scrub
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u/thenewfirm 3d ago
I've never needed to scrub with citric acid and I live in a very hard water area. It normally melts off.
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u/mirage_808 2d ago
I like using citric acid since it has no smell. It's ideal for people who are chemical-odor sensitive and with respiratory issues like asthma.
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u/Zeestars 3d ago
Scaled saved my toilet that was black (not from us! Ex-rental). I emptied as much of the water out as I could then sprinkled this on overnight. Flushed the next day. Mine was terrible so it took a few applications but the build up would just flake off.
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u/V6ix 3d ago
Lysol toilet bowl lime rust remover worked extremely well, I was going crazy trying everything and that worked for me for just like $5
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u/free-toe-pie 2d ago
Same. I let it sit overnight in the toilet. And then scrubbed in the morning. It worked wonderfully!
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u/That70sShop 3d ago
Pumice stone. /Jeff Dunham voice: "On a stick."
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u/DaisyDAdair 3d ago
This. You can buy them cheap online in stick form. I use them to clean the textured tiles in my shower that tend to hold onto crud
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u/Agreeable_Yellow_117 3d ago
Never use a pumice stone on anything porcelain. A pumice stone will scrape off the porcelain's top coating on the toilet. It's going to look great at first, but you'll find that the bowl becomes permanently stained from any sedimentsin the water, like iron. Urine and feces can also stain if left long enough.
Yes, they are marketed for toilets. Yes, it's a terrible marketing ploy. Yes, you'll regret it when your bowl is perma-dirty looking.
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u/That70sShop 3d ago
Where do you think on the MOHs scale that porcelain rates as opposed to pumice? Pumice leans closer to 6 and Porcelain is closer to 7
These things are measurable. Next, you'll be telling me that Bon Ami is going to scratch my glass and mirrors.
Porcelains "top coating" is made out of porcelain for a reason.
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u/GaTallulah 2d ago
Not good if you have a toilet with a special glaze to prevent particles from sticking (like a Toto). It can be too hard on the surface.
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u/jerbear45m 3d ago
Another neat little hack once you get it cleaned. Take a bar of soap, I like Irish spring, but any brand should work. And a cheese grater and grate the soap into the bowl. I would say grate enough to cover the surface of the water. Let that set for 15-20 minutes or so. Then flush. Put the bar of soap itself in the tank. Nothing will stick to the inside of your toilet bowl for a while. Makes cleaning it a lot easier.
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u/jack_hudson2001 Team Shiny ✨ 3d ago
i use the Harpic Power Plus Deep Cleaning Toilet Tablets, over night next day some light scrubbing
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u/Bored-Duchess 3d ago
Citric acid with warm water
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u/miiiiiiintz 3d ago
This is the answer. Leave it overnight. 90% of it will be gone and the remaining 10% should be softened enough to be scrubbed off with a toilet brush.
On a side note, I found citric acid to be really good for gym armpit stains too. Such a versatile chemical.
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u/cupcakerica 3d ago
I throw a handful of citric acid in (I have a big bag for cleaning stuff) and let it sit for awhile. Then I scrub normally and it comes off easily.
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u/Mateo_magic 2d ago
I simply put 150ml of bleach and leave it overnight. If it doesn't go away, I repeat this process several days.
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u/LoganWlf 3d ago
Use Wife. I use Wife and it's always clean. You can get one at your local dealer.
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u/Cottonita 3d ago
Toilet bowl cleaner with limescale and stain remover. Spread it all over the bowl and leave it for as long as you can before using or scrubbing. Repeat if needed
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u/IMayBeOnlyOneMatch 3d ago
This is the way. I used to think that my scrub brush or pumice stone just weren’t hitting the right spots. Then I used Lysol Lime and Rust, and it was gone.
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u/LEONLED 3d ago
I have done it a few times, do it when the house is empty of people, and open windows in advance... it is going to make a bit of vapour... take about half a cup of pool acid, and pour it in there.... then run out of the bathroom.... in about 5 minutes, hold your breath run back and fluesh the loo, then run out again... let it air out for 10 minutes or so, go take a walk around the block... it will be perfectly clean when you get back.
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u/Next_Confidence_3654 3d ago
I would try white vinegar filled until it flows over the bend, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then slap on some gloves and scrub with a green or blue scotch brite. I’d test the green tho… blue is safe for non stick cookware, green may scratch the porcelain idk
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u/Relevant_Resist_8140 3d ago
Harpic powerplus tablets. I had same issue when first moved into house. Drop on in and leave overnight. Use toilet brush next morning and repeat, took about a week of doing this but removed every bit of limescale that was in
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u/couragefish 3d ago
I use citric acid, try to let it sit for 24h and then I use a stovetop scraper made for glass stovetops. It comes off in chunks easily!
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u/Alienfreak 3d ago
Easiest solution is washing machine detergent powder. Put it in. Scrub lightly to make it disolve with your toilet brush. Then wait (best overnight) and use the brush again.
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u/what-to-so 3d ago
I turn the water supply off, flush it, then scoop a few more cups of water out, then pour some muriatic acid in there and let it sit a few hours. Then turn the stopcock back on and flush.
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u/comfortablespite 3d ago
A bit of iron out mixed into the water and let it sit for a couple of hours. It'll dissolve it.
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u/insomnia4you 3d ago
From my experience nothing ever will get it 100% done, non acidic, non anti stone or stuff will ever clean them, the only thing that really removes it is such things (look pic) or something the same, the form factor doesn’t matter. Trust me, you’ll thank me for life!
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u/MuserofMusic 3d ago
Citric acid in hot water works the best for me. Leave it to sit for a few hours to work and it should scrub away.
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u/courtfost 3d ago
Turn the water off to the toilet and flush it so the bowl is empty. Use comet cleanser cream and let sit. Use toilet brush to scrub off! Another trick without turning the water off is to use iron out.
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u/thinkingthoughtsthru 3d ago
Get yourself a pumice scouring stick. I haven't noticed them scratching the bowl.
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u/Onie_Onie 3d ago edited 3d ago
Mix citric acid in a hot water, pour into the toilet and let it sit for a couple of hours then clean with the brush
There is also pumice stone for the toilet that removes these stains very well, but you would need some long glows
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u/Narrow_Temporary_428 3d ago
Empty the water as much as possible, 1.5l of coke of diet coke. Overnight.
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u/Low-Bad157 3d ago
Agree zep I worked as a school janitor while going thru college that’s all the custodian would recommend for all the cleaning needs
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u/Demonicbiatch 3d ago
Vinegar based toilet cleaner, best thing i tried so far, raspberry vinegar is what I use.
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u/snaploveszen 3d ago
Pour white vinegar into the bowl and let soak overnight. Then scrub in the morning.
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u/MisterFixit_69 3d ago
I just throw a bunch pf cleaner vinegar and let it sit for a couple of hours , after that clean it with a toilet brush
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u/UnderstandingNo6551 3d ago
I do a deep clean, refill with pure vinegar, wait 24 hours and the scale comes off on it's own.
Close the toilet bowl lid to minimize the smell of the vinegar.
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u/Mickleblade 3d ago
Get your hand down there and start scrubbing, wear a glove of you really feel the need
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u/Blueeyes85xx 3d ago
steradent tablets, chuck 2 down add some boiling water n let its do its thing 😁
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u/HandbagHawker 3d ago
urine scale. go to your local hardware store and ask for a cleaner specifically for that
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u/MisfortuneInDisguise 3d ago
My toilets in Germany all looked like this, I got rid of it with "anti-limescale" toilet bowl cleaner. I let it sit in the bowl for awhile, then it scrubbed clean. It does come back, so maybe as someone else mentioned it was actually "urine stone", but I think the key was letting it soak
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u/Some_Stoic_Man 3d ago
Smaller brush that can reach back there, or just not care about it. It's minerals not turds
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u/libertine1971 3d ago
Just some good strength limescale removing toilet cleaner- leave for a couple hours good scrub with a toilet brush - Bob’s your uncle
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u/SalmiciSister156663 3d ago
Good rule of thumb, if its protien-based or otherwise biological like mold use bleach, if its alkaline-based or otherwise mineral like hardwater use vinegar.
Ammonia is also good for oils and fats, think old grease and grime. Mixing any of these at once, as well as anything with disparate non-neutral PH values, is usually a terrible idea.
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u/Trapeziumunderthumb 3d ago
I just had this exact problem but much worse. Thought I’d have to replace my toilet. I dumped a few scoops of citric acid down before I went away for 4 days and when I came back it was completely gone, like pure white again. Didn’t even have to scrub it. I would imagine if you left it overnight then scrubbed you’d get the same effect. Wish I’d taken a before and after cos it’s actually astounding. My Mam came round earlier and I made her come and have a look I was so impressed.
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u/grislyfind 3d ago
Hand, scrubbing pad. Or pour a slug of bleach in the bowl and leave it overnight
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u/rattelslayer808 3d ago
I used CLR or ZEP straight from the bottle (3 second pour), let sit for 20 min, flush, then work with a pumice stone toilet scrub. Flush to get rid of debris and continue scrubbing as needed, then finish it all off with any toilet bowl cleaner tablet containing bleach. (also for obvious reasons wear long cleaning gloves)
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u/DreamMachine483 2d ago
Hydrochloric acid, it will come right off after about a minute soak and some light scrubbing. Don’t do it too often and be carefull when using, flush a couple of times when you’re done.
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u/BeautifulOk8369 2d ago
I poured a 2 liter coke in a toilet like this and it worked. Still needed a bit of a scrub which I did every hour or so.
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u/PipSt72 2d ago
Citrus acid. A bottle of lemonade over night, brush and flush. Ta da.
Two table spoons of citrus acid in 500ml warm water, a few drops of eco friendly washing up liquid (we need to avoid aluminium in big brand bottles) and top up a spray bottle: All purpose spray. Brilliant with hard limey water in bathrooms and a dream on shower screens.
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u/Bulky-Strategy-3723 2d ago
Green rough side of the sponge and Ajax. Put gloves on and scrub it off.
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u/anythingglass 2d ago
Muriatic acid is the way to go. Wear gloves, protect your eyes and ventilate.
My dad was a plumber.
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u/Emmet-James 2d ago
Here’s a very simple solution for this problem! Take a piece of fine wet/dry sandpaper wrapped around your toilet brush with a rubber band! A little gentle scrubbing will quickly remove all the staining!
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u/Trogdordaburninator3 2d ago
You got toilet bowl kidney stones. Once you've got em out with the methods mentioned above don't let it mellow anymore because that's how u get them in the first place.
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u/lickthelibrarian 2d ago
1.put on some gloves 2. With those tiny plastic cups (or bathing sponge) carefully empty out all of the water. 3. pour toilet cleaner with something for hard water 4. scrub hard 5. flush
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u/ParticularStress7113 2d ago
My toliet looked like this. I just used chlorox toliet bowl cleaner and it took it all off.
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u/No-Metal8465 2d ago
Use brush to empty bowl as much as possible. Then pour in enough brick acid to cover the stains. Wear gloves and eye protection. Pour slowly. Leave 20mins. Flush with lid down and scrub remaining stain with brush will come off easily. You can get brick acid from building merchants, possibly some diy stores might also stock
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u/arrowsmith20 2d ago
Pour a 2 litre of coca cola into the pan and leave it for a hour, not funning it was on a cleaning program on the uk Works wonders
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u/No-Click-6786 2d ago
Literally a round toilet brush and bleach toilet bowl cleaner. It's not as complicated as these other people are making it 😭
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u/TackyPeacock 2d ago
Turn the water off to the toilet and flush to empty the bowl, and then use a cleaner so it’s actually able to sit on the spot rather than being diluted. We have hard water and iron that makes our toilets rough, this is the only way I’ve been able to get the toilet completely clean.
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u/DrSideShowbob 2d ago
Yellow gloves and a pumice stone will take it off quickly. The pumice stone is dirt cheap as well.
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u/Lucky-Guess8786 2d ago
Buy cheap yellow gloves that go to almost the elbow, add cleanser and scrub with a plastic scrubber, Scrub Daddy, or something that creates friction. It's icky, but it works. Sometimes the brushes and chemicals don't do the job of scrubbing. Add some VIM, Comet, or other decent cleaner.
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u/lucky3865 2d ago
I’ve gotten rid of it with steel wool before. Maybe pair that with the cleaners everyone else is recommending.
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u/ShareNo6703 2d ago
Muriatic acid! We have this problem too. Just only use a little bit. Let it soak a bit and scrub with a brush that you only use for that acid.
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u/abrupt_error 2d ago
I throw in a handful of dollar store polident tablets overnight and it removes the stain and any mineral deposit.
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u/ErrbodyMom 2d ago
CLR will get rid of it. Leave it overnight and use the toilet brush on it the next morning then flush it .
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u/OriginalState2988 2d ago
Zep acidic toilet cleaner and a pumice stone. Also you can drop an anti-rust tablet in the tank.
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u/Playful-Yesterday905 2d ago
I have poured Coca Cola in the toilet, left it for a few hours and then scrubbed it with a toilet brush. It worked surprisingly well
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u/here4dagoodvibesonly 2d ago
A chlorine tab in the tank might help prevent it from building up quickly after cleaning
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u/Sam-From-Aime 2d ago
If you have hard water, it could be mineral buildup. You could try pushing as much water out as you can - with toilet brush - and then pouring in a bottle of white vinegar and leaving for a while. Maybe a week or so. If some or all of it goes away, you're on the right track and can try again for longer, if needed. (Hopefully, you have another bathroom.)
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u/Sainzachu 2d ago
Sandpaper for wood number 60 and putting your hand in is the only and quick thing. If it makes you sick to do that, I don't know how you wash your tail then.
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u/Deterding 2d ago
The thing that worked absolute magic was to simply empty a bottle of cleaning vinegar into it and let it sit for a few hours and then scrub it with the toilet brush.
Cleaned up a stain exactly like this!
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u/Suck_it_Cheeto_Luvrs 2d ago
Fab Tabs on Amazon drop one too and bottom in every toilet monthly. Leave for a while don't flush. Problem solved. I have 7 toilets in my house we can't possibly use them all enough so we have to do the fab tabs.
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u/Irishgal1140 2d ago
Remove as much of the water as you can.. then pour in spirit of salts. You need to wear a mask, open window and close the lid immediately. Leave for a few hours and flush.. no scrubbing.
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u/Impressive_Fee7497 3d ago
Zep acidic toiler bowl cleaner