How do I get rid of toilet stains?

Question

So my friend said I could rent out his place for free if I can get it clean and the person was here last didn't take very good care of it. The toilet looks like it hasn't been cleaned in ages and there are stains. Any idea what the best way to remove them is? I've scrubbed at it for like an hour with a pumice stone and while it's a mild improvement, there's still a long way to go. Any ideas as to get it clean?

Answer 1

My furnace blew up a few years ago and my insurance company hired a professional cleaning company to clean everything. (About 8 weeks and $35,000 later and they were done.) I had to leave the house, but stopped by occasionally to watch.

I had terrible rust stains in the toilet (we have “hard” water). They used an electric drill (actually battery powered...maybe that’s a safety thing) with a bristle toilet brush stuck in it. They cut the plastic handle of the toilet brush off down to about 6” - 8” long then stuck it in the chuck where the drill bit would go.

They used Comet cleanser (they said Bon Ami could work too.)

You’d think it would splash like crazy when you start scrubbing, but it doesn’t. They laid the brush tight to the wall of the toilet and moved it around slowly...stopping to add Comet cleanser from time to time.

Try it...you’ll be amazed.

Answer 2

Muriatic acid is the best cleaner for toilets in this state period. It isn't for everyone but to be safe, wear gloves and have and extended brush and this is a 15 minute job. I have used muriatic acid many many times and not only will it clean the inside of the toilet bowl but it can be used to unclog the rest which may have issues.

Warning when using muriatic acid it cannot get on you, room should be ventilated (may need to open windows everywhere), and you must use gloves. I am suggesting it in your case not because your bowl is just dirty - it will eat through that like nothing - but because of the lack of care of the bowl you need to restore the whole thing.

You are going to:

1. Turn off water to toilet.
2. Flush it.
3. Empty the tank as much as you can.
4. Fill tank with a few cups of muriatic acid with the stopper up. You would like to get just enough so toilet will flush.
5. The muriatic acid will flow down to the bowl through the crevices on the top of bowl. This is key because it will basically renew the toilet. (also what you do when toilet is not flushing well)
6. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
7. Brush it out. 8.
8. Repeat at steps 4-8 least 3 times to ensure any dried stuff the muriatic acid knocks out gets moved. Keep doing it more until the toilet looks perfect.

Muriatic acid is available at most big box stores, is cheap, and won't ruin your toilet's finish coat. The main reason I am suggesting it here is that you will probably need to use it to restore the flushing of the toilet anyway so you might as well get use of its cleaning qualities.

Answer 3

You could buy a new one... toilets are as cheap as 60$, and decent ones under 110$. Your labor is free, however... the cleaning supplies might run you 20$.

Answer 4

I think you want something gentle that won't damage the glaze. I have never before seen a toilet that filthy, but I would try citric acid. Fill the bowl with water, add a cup citric acid powder (anhydrous citric acid - buy in bulk from a home brewing store, or pet store, at a few dollars per kilogram), stir to dissolve, and let it sit for 24 hours to dissolve the scale. Then scrub the bowl with a toilet brush, flush the toilet, and repeat.