One of the most unpleasant sights in the home is a dirty toilet. You may have noticed that your toilet is stained with rust. A rust-stained toilet is a cringe-worthy sight. You can spend hours cleaning, and rust still remains. Â Luckily, our Conyers plumber has some tips and tricks in his tool belt to help you remove these unsightly stains.
Where do rust stains come from?
Before we work to remove these stains, let’s learn where they come from. If you have a buildup of iron or other minerals in your water supply then more reddish/brownish rings around your drain or toilet bowl will occur. These stains are caused by large amounts of iron in your water. That’s because minerals like calcium, magnesium, lime, and iron attach to nearly every surface they encounter. Once these are combined with oxygen it can create those unattractive brown rust stains.
Iron and rust stain removers
Iron and rust removal products come in a variety of forms. From liquids to powders, there’s a cleaner for just about any appliance or stain. Liquid rust stain removers are designed to dissolve rust and iron stains on white porcelain sinks and toilet bowls. These are safe for pipes and septic systems. If you have any questions about what products are best to remove rust stains from your toilet bowl then one of our 24-hour plumbers would be happy to assist you.
Homemade Rust-Removal Solutions
If you are looking for something more natural to remove your stains, there are some simple homemade alternatives:
- Spray a mixture of 1-part vinegar to 1-part water and scrub the rust-stained area with a hard-bristled brush,
- Make a paste of 3-parts baking soda and 1-part vinegar, scrubbing the bowl with it as you would a powdered cleanser,
- Dust ¼ cup of borax onto bathroom surfaces, scrubbing with a brush to remove stains, odors and bacteria.
How to Prevent Rust Stains
Now that you have successfully removed the rust stains from your toilet you can now work on keeping them away for good!
- Clean Regularly: Cleaning your bath once a week will keep surfaces smooth, preventing the buildup of iron and other deposits from taking hold.
- Keep Things Dry: As much as possible, wipe down bathroom surfaces exposed to water to cut down on exposure to the iron residue.
- Add an Iron Filter or Water Softener: Iron filters and water purification systems can eliminate the problem at the source, removing iron and other mineral deposits in water to prevent future stains.
If you have any questions, concerns or difficulties in trying to remove stubborn rust stains, please contact one of our affordable Conyers plumbers. If you’re interested in more plumbing tips or services please give us a call at 770.860.8110.