Toilet bowls often become stained and dirty due to a build up of limescale (Image: Getty)
Toilets can quickly become dirty due to a build-up of limescale that is made up of minerals from water evaporating and the longer it is left the more difficult it becomes to clean.
agents such as bleach as highly effective at killing bacteria but cannot dissolve properly, and the harsh chemicals can also damage the bowl.
Sophie, a cleaning expert and founder of has researched the best cleaner that works better than bleach to remove limescale is citric acid, which is naturally found in lemons.
She said: “The trick to removing limescale is with acid and heat. Commercial cleaners tend to use hazardous substances such as hydrochloric acid or sulphamidic acid which are toxic to aquatic life and unpleasant to inhale.
“They are definitely not the sort of chemicals I want in my home now that I have children. The acid of my choice is citric acid.”
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Citric acid is better at getting rid of limescale than bleach (Image: Getty)
Why use citric acid to get rid of toilet limescale?
Since is is acidic, citric acid will be able to dissolve the alkaline minerals in limescale to it begins to break down very quickly.
There are many popular methods to get rid of limescale such as vinegar or Coca-Cola, but Sophia has found that citric acid tends to be the best and most cost-effective solution.
Sophie said: “Alternatively, you could use white vinegar but I find citric acid is more effective and works out cheaper.
“It is also better for the environment as you don’t have to pay to ship the water weight which reduces the carbon footprint.”
According to Sophie, she buys citric acid for £2 from Ethical Superstore, but you can also buy it at B&Q, Amazon and in the cleaning aisle of most supermarkets.
After leaving the citric acid overnight the limescale will dissolve (Image: Getty)
How to use citric acid to get rid of limescale
It may sound strange but cleaning the toilet is best done in the evening so that the cleaning agent has lots of time to break down the limescale.
Sophie said: “Before you go to bed, make sure everyone has got an empty bladder. If you need a pee in the night then don’t flush until the morning.”
All you need to do is turn on the kettle, but stop it before the water begins to boil.
Pour the very hot water down the toilet, and make to be careful when carrying the kettle.
Tip half a box of critic acid down the toilet and leave the solution overnight.
In the morning, scrub any remaining stains with a toilet brush and it should instantly wipe away.
If the limescale has been there a long time then you may need to repeat this cleaning metod one more night, but afterwards, your toilet bowl should be sparkling clean once again.
Sophie said: “To prevent it from getting bad again, keep a box of citric acid near your toilet. You can keep it in a plastic tub or jar – anything really. Add a spoonful in there each night before you go to bed.”