Rust marks on your toilet aren’t pretty, but they can quickly be dealt with. The spots are caused by iron within the toilet’s water supply.
This can come from old water pipes or metallic parts within the toilet tank.
If you notice rust stains forming on your toilet, read on to discover the many ways you can resolve the issue.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The links below may be affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.
Remove The Rust With Lemons
The citric acid within lemons can loosen the rust stain off your toilet. A powerful and natural cleaner.
You could use any fruit that contains citric acid such as grapefruit, limes, or oranges.
For a more effective solution, combine the acid with salt or baking soda (these items add slight abrasiveness).
- Empty the water from the bowl.
- Cut your lemon in half and then dip it into some salt.
- Scrub at the stain while releasing the juice. This combines the power of salt and lemon.
- Wash down the toilet bowl.
Here is how to use lemon and baking soda:
- Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a small bowl. Squeeze in the lemon juice a little bit at a time. Mix until you have a paste.
- Remove the water from the toilet.
- Apply your baking soda paste to the stains. Cover the paste with cling wrap to stop the moisture from escaping.
- Leave the paste for 10 to 15 minutes so that it can break down the rust.
- Rinse the bowl out and then give the toilet a flush.
Use white vinegar
This is a quick and simple method that takes advantage of the acetic acid within the vinegar.
- Remove the water from the bowl.
- Liberally pour vinegar over the rust stains. Let the vinegar sit for several minutes.
- Take a small brush and scrub at the rust.
- Wash out the bowl and then refill it with water.
Just like the lemon juice method, you can combine baking soda with vinegar to remove the stains.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the rust marks.
- Pour vinegar onto the baking soda. Allow the baking soda and vinegar to react for 15 minutes.
- Rinse out the bowl.
You can swap out the baking soda with cream of tartar.
Take away the toilet rust stains with pumice
Pumice stone is a soft, natural abrasive method for freeing your toilet of rust stains and other marks.
You can purchase specially made pumice stone toilet cleaners at your local hardware store or online.
The way you use pumice is easy:
- Wet the stone.
- Scrub at the rust stain with your pumice in small, circular motions.
- When the stains have gone, rinse down the bowl to remove any debris.
- Rinse the pumice stone with a disinfectant.
Ridding your toilet from rust with commercial rust removers
Commercial removers are effective at getting rid of those rust streaks. However, you have to use caution as you are exposing yourself to chemicals.
Tackling the rust stains with these products requires you to adhere to some personal safety practices:
- Wear gloves.
- Allow for good ventilation to remove any fumes/smells.
- Read the directions for the rust remover carefully. Read them again just to be sure you know exactly what to do.
- Use eye protection.
Once you have got yourself protected from harm, it’s time to begin.
- Empty the water from the toilet bowl.
- Pour in your rust remover.
- Wait for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.
- Scrub the stain away.
- Rinse out the toilet bowl.
Use Coca-Cola
If you have some Coca-Cola in your home, grab it and attack the rust stains in your toilet.
The acid within the soda along with the bubbles make it effective as a stain remover.
- Pour your Cola over the stain.
- Take a piece of tin foil and scrub the area. The rust marks should start to flake off.
- You can finish off the task by swapping out the foil with a cloth.
Removing rust stains with Borax
You can similarly use borax as baking soda. That is, you can create a mix that will eliminate rust stains.
- Combine borax with warm water until you have a thick paste.
- Apply this paste to the rust marks in your toilet.
- Wait for 20 to 30 minutes for the borax to do its thing.
- Wipe away the paste and the rust.
- Give your toilet bowl a rinse-out.
How Can I Prevent Rust Stains In My Toilet?
You have freed your toilet of the rust stains, but if you don’t take preventative measures, those stains will return.
There are several ways you can stop this from happening.
Clean your toilet often
How often you need to clean your toilet is a subjective matter. It is determined by how much use this amenity in your home gets used.
Homes that have a lot of family members require more frequent cleaning than a household with only two people.
Keeping the toilet clean eliminates any rust deposits from accumulating.
Have a look in your toilet tank
Metallic parts within your tank can oxidize. When that happens, you get rust.
If you notice that there is a component that has rusted, replace it with a non-metallic version.
Get your pipes checked
If the bits within your toilet tank aren’t to blame, then it indicates a pipe rusting. In this situation ask your local plumber to come and have a look.
If possible, replace the pipe as soon as you can.
Prevent mineral deposit building up
Hard water contains minerals and elements such as iron that can cause corrosion. To protect your toilet pour a cup of white vinegar into the tank.
This helps break down the deposits within the water and keeps your toilet clean.
You don’t have to tolerate the rust
Toilets that suffer from rust stains look uninviting. If you live in an area that has hard water, the mineral deposits can oxidize the metal within your toilet.
However, your household has a range of items that you can use to remove the stains.
We have given you a range of options to rid your toilet of those nasty streaks. Your toilet now looks as good as new.