How do I remove stubborn limescale from the toilet bowl?
I had a new one installed in 2012, yet just 4 years later there is persistent limescale all over it. I've used the usual cleaners which apparently remove limescale, but there it still is, and is in fact increasing. One of the problems is that anything you put on it, won't stay put, as being a toilet bowl it just slips downwards.
Anybody got any good tips as to how to remove it?
TIA
Anybody got any good tips as to how to remove it?
TIA
0
Comments
Apply suitable (acidic) cleaning agent. I've heard various products recommended, such as vinegar, lemon juice and Coca Cola but there must be proprietary products that you can buy.
Martin, maybe daft question, how do you do this BIB with the plunger? I have heard vinegar soaking works so I want to try it too.
( I can't use Viakal etc as we are not on mains water or sewage here and we also get lots of peat discolouration despite filtration. Vinegar must be best for septic systems.)
I have written on this subject before, I wish my bleedin' search function worked it would save a lot of typing.
Get yourself down to your general hardware store and purchase a bottle of " Spirit of Salts".
This stuff will shift anything including your lungs.
No pets, no kids around, open bathroom window, follow instructions on bottle.
I'm use to using the stuff so can be a bit blasé with it.
Hold your breath, gently pour it around rim and in to pan, no need to empty pan, get the f*ck out, give it ten minutes. With Gloves on, go back in, grab a toilet brush, hold your breath and start using brush under and around rim and in the pan.
Repeat the process 20minutes later, leave for a couple of hours, let it do its job
You have to be quick, vigorous and thorough with the brush and able to hold your breath for a minute, avoid splashes on to you.
Lastly using brush, clean around rim and pan before flushing several times, hopefully you will be amazed, it's not often I have to use a second bottle.
Blue, it's nasty stuff, be careful, works a treat.
Thanks for the responses guys. Sound like some really great ideas there
And to remove the water from the bowl, get a large bin bag, put in bowl, fill bag with water, as it expands it pushes the bowl water round the u-bend, lift out bin bag and empty water in sink (NOT in the loo, obviously).
If it's very think then you just need more of it left longer.
Bleach on the other hand kills germs but does nothing to limescale.
Don't remove the water below the china seal (the bit at the back of water level). then smells, Sewer gas won't escape. Then add Electric Kettle descaler at twice the recommended dose, leave overnight, does the job everytime. (Retired Plumber):)
Thanks for the heads up :cool:
Yes good stuff, and a lovely smell.
Where I live the water isn't as hard as in some places and I only really get limescale on the water line in the toilet bowl. But then again I do the following a couple of times a year (maybe as many as 4 - I don't count) . So limescale doesn't get to build up.
I flush the loo. Then scoop out some of the water from tha pan to expose the water line. I use a paper cup to scoop out about 3/4s of the water.
I then soak two absorbant cloths in the vinegar. I use a couple of strips torn from an old towel. I then twist these loosely into two sausages and sort of lay/stick them around the toilet bowl, over the lime scale. Once in place I wet them with a bit more vinegar, this helps them stay in place it seems.
Then I just leave them for as long as I can. Easy if you have a second loo. Not so easy if you don't.
When I get back I remove the towels. Give it a brisk brush with the loo brush and flush the loo to refill it. Voila. It works like a charm.
But why did you wait for your toilet to get that bad? if you had cleaned your toilet often it would be clean.
Cleaning the toilet normally and frequently has not prevented the build up of limescale, which clearly needs a different sort of application.
I did mention this in my OP.
I have used it with great success.
I use normal liquid Kilrock for my kettle but I expect it's too runny for the toilet bowl..........you need something that sticks to the sides !
Viakala or Harpic are just the job, they're quite sticky......... or Kilrock do a 'Bathroom Spray Gel Descaler' which is pretty good and being a spray you get it into the awkward places that you can't see....like under the rim of the toilet bowl
Hi, I agree,
Kilrock, ( spirit of salts ), will shift it for Blue, just has to be careful with the stuff.
I am not sure if that is a good idea, I was told not to mix bleach with any other cleaners as some can produce a dangerous gas when mixed.
Thanks again folks
Yes! Hugh wins again!
;-):D
Lidl's W5 Max Power toilet cleaner, overnight. 69p for a bottle. The end.