The funny expression “toilet is the face of the hostess” is quite fair, because clean, shiny sanitary ware is an indispensable condition for order in the house. No matter how fashionable and expensive the repair in the bathroom is, yellow taps on white faience look extremely untidy. Of course, this item needs daily care. But even in this case, over time, a layer of scale will appear on the toilet, which is quite difficult to remove. Let’s consider how to clean the toilet from lime scale using household chemicals or improvised means.
Household chemicals
In any supermarket you will find at least a small assortment of plumbing care products. They can be of several types:
- Abrasive For example, “Pemolux”, well known to older generations. First, you need to drain the water from the toilet with a disposable plastic cup. Next, evenly distribute the powder from the inside over the entire area and rub it clean with a rag. The disadvantage of this method is that it is very time-consuming. In addition, abrasives scratch the earthenware surface, and in the future, this, on the contrary, contributes to the formation of lime scale.
- Alkaline Such cleaning liquids, both expensive “Domestos” and cheap “Bilyzna”, are made on the basis of sodium hypochlorite (so-called “chlorine”), which is able to dissolve pollution. First, we drain the water again, squeeze the gel onto the walls, leave it for 30 minutes and wash it off, rubbing a little with a toilet brush or a soft washcloth. This method of cleaning lime scale is the easiest, since you don’t need to “dry”, chemistry will do everything by itself.
- Acidic In “Syllite”, “Utyonka” and similar products, oxalic, acetic, hydrochloric acids or their mixtures are responsible for the fight against lime scale. The principle of action and technology of use are similar to alkaline.
Importantly! Be sure to read the instructions and wear rubber gloves when working. Be careful not to lean too close to the treated surface to avoid contact with harmful substances on the skin and inhalation of fumes. Do not use compounds on different bases at the same time – poisonous vapors are formed when mixed.
The decision in favor of chemistry to clean the toilet has its disadvantages. Effective means are expensive, in addition, almost all of them are toxic, have a sharp smell and are not suitable for frequent use if there are small children in the family or someone suffering from allergies. There is a risk that the baby will mistake the bright gel for something tasty if you forget to put away the bottles under the lock or at the moment when the solution has already been applied. For the sake of children’s safety, it is better not to keep anything toxic in the apartment.
Folk methods
If you are having difficulty choosing, do not want to use biochemistry, or want to save money, you can try to clean the lime scale with the help of ordinary kitchen products. You will need:
- Table vinegar. One glass (250 ml) of 9 percent vinegar is heated in a microwave oven to a temperature of 40 degrees, add two teaspoons of soda. Apply the resulting solution to the dried surface of the toilet, close it and leave it overnight, and in the morning it is enough to clean everything with a rag and wash it off.
- Baking soda. The same is done as in the previous point, only instead of the heated vinegar mixture, liberally sprinkle the contaminated places with baking soda.
- Citric acid. Distribute the contents of two sachets throughout the insides, having previously removed the water from the toilet. Leave for three hours under the lid. During this time, the lime scale should dissolve. If not, repeat the procedure.
- Coca-Cola or Sprite. After family holidays, extra bottles of these drinks often remain. They contain the same citric acid, so “cola” can be used in the same way as regular cleaning products. This simple technique is suitable for people with allergies and is safe for children. We pour several liters inside, and after half an hour you can wash it off.