‘Flush away’ toilet limescale with 10p cleaning staple – and no scrubbing is required
WATER sits at the bottom of toilets all day, every day, so it’s not uncommon for limescale to build up and it can be a real pain to get rid of.
From pouring a bottle of cola down the toilet, to sprinkling baking soda, or chipping away at limescale with a knife, there are loads of different methods to remove limescale doing the rounds online – but not all of them are effective and safe.
Luckily, Halil Dogan, Bloo Brand Manager told Fabulous about the best ways to remove toilet limescale – and it’s never been easier!
Bleach
A powerful cleaner, bleach doesn’t get rid of limescale completely.
Most limescale stains are from hard water, and so acid-based products are needed.
Instead, bleach only makes limescale invisible because it changes the colour of it to blend in with the toilet bowl.
So it might look like you’ve got rid of limescale after using bleach, but it’s still there, just in disguise.
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White vinegar
Cheap and natural, white vinegar can be used in several different ways when it comes to cleaning.
For toilet limescale, you need to pour white vinegar into the loo – ideally last thing at night so it can thoroughly soak into the limescale and erode it.
The next morning, use a toilet brush to remove limescale deposits that are still there, before flushing the toilet to wash it away.
Cola
Perhaps the most bizarre cleaning hack, but it does work – and it is really cheap.
This is because cola is mildly acidic and can break down limescale.
Simply pour a bottle around the rim of the toilet bowl and let it sit for a whole.
Flush and the acid in the cola will loosen the limescale and wash away. Repeat until all the limescale has gone.
Whilst it gets rid of limescale, cola doesn’t prevent it from coming back.
Toilet cleaner
Halil said: “If limescale has built up then one product we recommend is Bloo’s Power Active Liquid Toilet Cleaner (with a lovely flower scent) which will help to achieve a hygienically clean and shiny toilet.
“It’s formulated to tackle limescale and ensure 100 per cent dirt removal (when used with a scrubbing brush) whilst providing extra freshness.
“Simply apply the gel evenly under the rim, leave it for 30 minutes, scrub with a brush if limescale is extra hard, or just flush the toilet.”
Bloo’s Power Active Liquid Toilet Cleaner is currently on offer at £1 in Asda and depending how bad the limescale build-up is, will cost between 10-2p
Then, “keep your toilet thoroughly clean and fresh in between flushes, use a combination of Bloo’s Toilet Blocks for protection, Rim Blocks for freshening, and Fizz Tabs for shine!”
What is limescale?
Halil explained: “Limescale is the common name for residue which is left behind as hard water flows through your pipes and leaves behind minerals including calcium and magnesium.
“In the loo, these minerals can build up over time causing unsightly stains and scaling in and around the bowl.”
Halil recommended: “Pay attention to the base of the bowl, the waterline, and the water jets below the rim.
“Each of these areas can be prone to mineral buildup which will present itself as white or rust coloured staining/scaling.”
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Where else does limescale appear?
The bottom of a toilet is not the only place limescale builds up in a bathroom.
Halil said: “You will likely spot limescale deposits around taps, toilet bowls, baths, pipes and any water area you come into contact with on a daily basis.
“On surfaces limescale will appear chalky as the water eventually evaporates leaving the calcium and magnesium exposed whereas limescale forming beneath water will often appear more rusty.
“Since the temperature of water in bathrooms is often higher, the evaporation process is sped up which is why you may notice limescale building up more frequently around bathroom surfaces.”