How to Remove Rust Stains from Toilets

One of the most embarrassing things a homeowner can experience is a toilet with rust stains. These rust stains can make your bathroom off-putting for guests, even if your bathroom is generally clean.

We all want clean, fresh, and shiny toilets in our homes. However, rust stains can target your toilet if you live in an area of hard water. These reddish rust stains can be so stubborn that even toilet cleaners fail to remove them. Fortunately, some natural ways and commercial products can help you get rid of these rust stains.

But before that, we want to tell you where these rust stains actually come from.

Where do Rust Stains Come from?

These rusty stains can attack your toilet bowl, even if it's not made of metal. But why does this happen? That is because the issue isn't the toilet bowl but the water. These rust stains are formed when oxygen and iron react with water.

If your water supply contains excessive iron, chances are iron particles may react to the oxygen in the air and water, forming rust stains around your toilet bowl.

The only way to prevent these recurring rust stains is to have a water filtration system in your home. You'll have to choose a filtration system that particularly removes iron. Or else, you'll keep facing the same issues.

To help you out, we have created a list of eight tips to remove rust stains from your toilet:

1. Try Rust Remover

   Using a rust remover is probably the most common way to remove rust from your toilet. There are numerous products are available in the market that promise to remove rust stains from toilets.

   It is somewhat true; some rust removers are best at cleaning toilets since they quickly oxidize the rust with no rust required. All you have to do is rinse it, and your toilet bowl starts looking fresh. However, many people are reluctant to use rust removers since they contain chemicals.

   Because of the chemicals they contain, these cleaners can even burn your skin if you don't handle them carefully.

2. Try Using Citric Acid

   Using citric acid is another great way to get rid of rust stains. You can use citric acid made from fresh lemons, limes, or grapefruits, or you can even use powdered citric acid available at grocery stores. For fresh citrus fruits, you need to add baking soda or salt on the stain and scrub it with a hard brush.

   For areas that are heavily stained, you need a paste containing baking soda and lemon juice and apply it to the rust-stained area. You’ll also need to wrap the paste with plastic and leave it there for an hour after applying.

   In the case you’re using citric acid powder, mix it with a few drops of water and apply it to the rusty area. You can utilize your old toothbrush to scrub the stains away.

3. Try a Sponge

   You can try the rough side of your kitchen sponge to remove rust stains from your toilet. There are scouring pads available on the markets, made particularly for stubborn stains toilets. One good thing about this method is it is eco-friendly, with no chemicals involved.

4. Try Using Potassium Bitartrate

   Potassium bitartrate is also called a cream of tartar. You can find it in bakeries, and it is great at removing rust stains from toilets. Potassium bitartrate is tartaric acid in powdered form used as a leavening element in baked items.

   You need to sprinkle this cream on the rusty area and scrub it with an old toothbrush. You can add this cream of tartar to a few water drops and make a paste. You can then apply this paste to rust-stained areas. Just like other acids, this cream needs time to remove stubborn stains.

5. Use Gentle Abrasives

   Gentle abrasives such as table salt or baking soda can also help you get rid of rust stains. You can use these abrasives alone or with acid cleaners. They can prevent damage to the fiberglass of bathroom fixtures. To obtain optimum results, pour some water on the stained surface to keep it wet throughout the cleaning process.

6. Use Sugary Drink

   Your favorite sugary, acidic drink can help you eliminate rust stains from your toilet to make it look fresh. Drinks like Coca-Cola are great stain removers.

   Turn off your toilet's water supply, fill the tank with a soda and leave it there overnight. Once you wake up in the morning, turn on the water supply and flush; the rust stains around your toilet bowl should be gone by then.

7. Try Pumice

   Pumice is a volcanic rock stone that comes in a solid or powder form. You can use pumice stones to remove stubborn rust stains from your toilet. Pumice stones are gentle enough to remove stains from ceramic and don’t damage or scratch your surface.

   All you should do is simply make the pumice stone and the rust-stained surface wet, and then gently scrub the stone over the rusty surface to get rid of rust stains.

8. Try Using Chemical Cleaners

   You can try chemical cleaners as a last resort. Try using chemical cleaners that have hydrochloric acid and are safe to use on your toilet bowl’s rusty areas. However, you must follow all the safety precautions mentioned on the bottle to prevent getting hurt or damaging your toilet.

Did that Help?

And with that, we sum up our discussion on the eight ways to remove rust stains from toilets. These tips will definitely help you get rid of rust stains from your toilet. You can try using natural elements like lemon, potassium bitartrate, or pumice stone, or you can try commercial products like sodas, chemical cleaners, rust removers, or a sponge. You can pick the technique that suits you best.

If you still can’t find the right solution, reach out to Mesa Plumbing Company for help!