Limescaleis is usually what makes toilets look stained and unsightly (Image: Getty)
Cleaning the toilet is one of the most dreaded chores in the home, but there is a better way to eliminate stains than scrubbing the bowl for ages.
The brown discoloured staining at the bottom of your toilet is often caused by , a chalky substance made from minerals left when water evaporates or is heated.
It is important to clean as soon as you notice it as over time it can harden and attract bacteria, mould, as well as other germs to make your toilet extremely unhygienic.
Sophie, an expert and founder of , has shared that cleaning the toilet properly is easy but warned not to use bleach as it is not effective against
She said: “ is an alkaline substance meaning it needs an acid to dissolve it. It’s basic chemistry.
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Citric acid is a natural and cheap way to remove toilet stains (Image: Getty)
“Bleach, which is made from a sodium hypochlorite solution, is an alkaline, too. It is designed to disinfect and remove stains. Bleach may whiten the colour of limescale, but it will not remove it.”
According to Sophie, the best way to remove limescale is with heat and an acidic solution, but you do not need to pay for any harsh chemicals as all you need is citric acid, a natural substance found in citrus fruits.
Sophie said: “The acid of my choice is citric acid because it is cheap and plastic-free. Alternatively, you could use white vinegar but I find citric acid is more effective and works out cheaper.”
Citric acid will react to limescale which means it will quickly begin to dissolve it and loosen any stubborn stains in the toilet.
You can find citric acid in lemon juice but most supermarkets sell a crystallised and stronger version of this substance in their cleaning aisle.
Citric acid will break down limescale overnight and leave your toilet completely cleaned (Image: Getty)
Sophie said: “The price of citric acid is between £2 and £11 (depending on what size you buy) and it comes in paper or cardboard packaging.”
How to remove limescale from the toilet naturally
Before you clean the toilet make sure everyone in your household has a empty bladder as this cleaning solution is best left overnight to give it time to break down the limescale.
To begin, fill the kettle and heat the water but stop before it begins to boil. You need hot water to get rid of limescale but boiling water risks damaging the toilet.
Pour the hot water down the toilet, then add around 120g of citric acid as well. Leave the dissolved citric acid overnight, and in the morning give the toilet a quick wipe with a toilet brush.
The limescale should be dissolved, or should easily come away, so you do not have to spend any time scrubbing and your toilet is beautifully clean without having to use harsh chemicals.