Nothing gives the impression that a bathroom is dirtier than rust stains in the toilet. Even after hours of scrubbing and cleaning, the toilet will still be filthy. For many homeowners, having a spotlessly clean bathroom is a top priority. The toilet is one of the most crucial bathroom components to look (and feel) clean. A clean toilet is vital, especially if you are hosting visitors. Fortunately, there are ways to stop rust from discoloring your toilet.

 

Where Do Rust Stains Come From?

It isn't your toilet. Your porcelain toilet works perfectly. You have a plumbing system that is broken. 

1. Presence of Iron In Water

Iron in the water settles in your toilet bowl, tub, and sinks, leaving reddish-brown rust stains behind. The particles oxidize and change color when air and the particles combine. They accumulate on surfaces where water drips over time. By taking the appropriate steps, you can help keep your toilets and washbasins stain-free by reducing the amount of iron present and, consequently, the deposits on their surfaces.

2. Iron or galvanized pipes 

The plumbing system most likely uses galvanized or iron pipes if your home is older. Corrosion will eventually occur in these pipes as the acidic water passes through them. Because of the corrosion, rusts end up in the water and go to your bathroom fixtures. Water is constantly present in the porcelain toilet bowl.

If you don't store your shaving cream in a cabinet or cupboard, it will contribute to the rust stain problem. 

 

How to Remove Rust Stains from Your Toilet At Home? 

Rust stains' unfortunate resemblance to other types of stains and their brown color can give off the impression that your bathroom is unclean to visitors. Of course, you're not to blame. Any bathroom, especially one with hard water, is practically guaranteed to have rust stains.

 

Vinegar Rust Removal Techniques

Due to the presence of acetic acid, vinegar is the traditional all-purpose cleaning agent. This is safe for the environment and can quickly remove stains, including rust. It has a somewhat pungent odor but quickly goes away, so this isn't a huge drawback.

If you don't have cleaning-grade white vinegar, you can also use food-grade grape or cider vinegar, which is a close second. Get your supplies ready as a first step. You'll require the following supplies:

  • Vinegar
  • Spray
  • Bucket
  • Cleansing brush
  • Water
  • Towel
  • Salt
  • Rubber gloves
  • Goggles
  • Baking soda

1. Prepare your solution 

  • You should pour one gallon of distilled white vinegar into your bucket or container. 
  • One cup of table salt should be added because table salt makes vinegar's acid more potent, which is what dissolves rust. 
  • The mixture can now be stirred. You can add the cleaning solution to your spray bottles. 

2. Spray the solution on the rusted area. 

  • You must spray the solution on the rusted area. 
  • It would help if you guaranteed that it is fully submerged. 
  • Decide how long to leave it there depending on how rusted it is. Initially, you'll leave it there for 30 minutes to an hour. 
  • You can tell the difference because of the acid in the vinegar, which will cause the rust to fall off. 
  • Check it frequently to see how it progresses and if it is still being prepared after 12 hours. 
  • For some toilets with severe rust, it might take a few days.

3. Scrub 

  • Take your scrubbing brush and scrub the rusted area once you've given it a soak in the vinegar solution, and you can see the rust starting to come off. 
  • Do these steps by wearing a pair of latex gloves and wearing your goggles. 
  • If you have an extra solution, you can use these in your other rusted objects around the house, such as tools, etc.

4. Clean 

  • Once your item is rust-free, combine one cup of baking soda with one gallon of water.
  • Stir the mixture, then allow your object to soak for ten minutes. 
  • You will neutralize the acid in the vinegar by doing this. 
  • After doing this, you can cleanse your toilet with water and ordinary toilet cleaning materials. 

 

Lemon Juice Rust Removal Technique 

Citric acid in lemon juice is another natural remedy for rust removal. Because it isn't quite as potent as vinegar and works best when used at full strength, you should turn off the water and flush the toilet to clear the bowl before adding the lemon juice.

Making a paste out of lemon juice and applying it directly to stains may be the most effective method. Avoid combining it with baking soda because the alkaline substance will react with the acid to produce carbon dioxide bubbles. Although the fizz is gratifying and appears to be cleaning, rust won't be affected much.

 

What Steps Can Be Taken to Avoid Rust Stains?

There is no way to shield surfaces from rust stains completely. You can, however, take a few measures to reduce the likelihood that rust stains will develop in your toilet.

  1. The first step is to ensure your toilet receives enough oxygen through your flapper valve and other mechanisms to keep the pipe free of water. Rust can form when water is left in a tube, resulting in rust stains.
  2. Check your flapper valve to ensure it closes the toilet after each flush and operates correctly. A clogged pipe or worn-out flapper may prevent the toilet bowl from receiving enough oxygen, which could result in an overflow if you flush the toilet too frequently.
  3. Stay away from cleaning products that contain bleach or acids. These may rust stains and harm the components of your toilet, that can be as serious as you needing a brand new sewer replacement.
  4. Regular Cleaning Keeping your bathroom clean once a week will keep surfaces smooth and stop the accumulation of iron and other deposits.
  5. Keep Things Dry Wipe down bathroom surfaces that have come in contact with water as often as possible to prevent the buildup of iron residue. (Clearly, this won't work in the bathroom.)
  6. Watch Out for Metals Rust stains on bathroom surfaces can also be caused by metal-bottomed cans, such as those that hold shaving cream and air fresheners. Please place them in a cabinet or cupboard rather than on the ledges of the bathtub and sink.
  7. Add a Water Softener or Iron Filter Water purification systems and filters can eliminate the issue at its root by removing iron and other mineral deposits from water to stop further stains. (Some softener salts are even created especially to combat rust.
  8. Upgrade Your Plumbing Rust deposits may continue to form in older homes with iron pipes until the old lines are replaced.

 

Don’t Let Rust Stress You Out!

If all steps mentioned above fail, consider replacing specific toilet components made of porcelain with something else, like plastic. Since plastic doesn't rust as metal does, this will lessen the possibility of rust stains developing. To do this properly and to avoid further damage, you should contact the best plumbing services in your area!