A build-up of limescale in your toilet can bring down the look of your bathrooms. What should be a sparkling toilet bowl can suddenly become one with unsightly stains that make the space feel dirty and unhygienic. But did you know limescale isn’t just an aesthetical problem? Unfortunately, it can also cause long-term damage if left unaddressed.
As a professional cleaning service, we understand the challenges of dealing with stubborn toilet limescale and how to tackle it effectively.
What causes toilet limescale?
Limescale usually appears around the waterline of your toilet and at the bottom of the bowl, forming a chalky or off-white appearance. It’s composed of calcium carbonate, left behind when hard water evaporates. That’s why limescale is typically worse in hard water areas.
Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which accumulate over time in places where water stays for long periods, like in toilet bowls. As the build-up increases, limescale becomes more visible to the naked eye and gets tougher to remove via normal cleaning methods. The problem can worsen if cleaning is infrequent or the toilet water sits unchanged for extended periods.
Why is it so hard to get rid of limescale from your toilet bowl?
Limescale is notoriously hard to get rid of because of the tough composition of the calcium carbonate and the fact your toilet bowl will forever have hard water in it. Once limescale takes hold, it forms a strong bond with the toilet surface, especially in the moist conditions of the bowl.
Most standard toilet cleaners are ineffective against limescale because they don’t have the acidic element to dissolve minerals. Therefore, further limescale layers accumulate, becoming thicker and more entrenched.
Can scrubbing damage your toilet?
While it’s tempting to scrub away stubborn limescale with abrasive brushes and harsh chemicals, these methods can cause damage to toilet surfaces made from ceramic or porcelain. Harsh limescale cleaning methods can leave scratches, which not only look unsightly but leave crevices for more limescale to cling on to.
What are the best ways to remove limescale from your toilets?
There’s lots of cleaning advice you’ll get when tackling a limescale issue. However, the best way to get rid of toilet limescale is to combine a variety of methods to hit it from all angles.
A natural remedy like vinegar and bicarbonate of soda is a great place to start. Begin by leaving a cup full of vinegar in the toilet bowl for a few hours. Then add bicarbonate of soda and gently use a toilet brush on the limescale. Others also recommend acidic natural cleaners like pure lemon juice, applying it directly to the limescale to work its magic.
Always ask your professional cleaner if there are any good cleaning products they would recommend. There are some fantastic commercial products that specifically tackle limescale, and they know which ones are effective without causing toilet damage.
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Efficient Cleaning London is an experienced cleaning company for South West London and Surrey. We offer cleaning services in New Malden, Raynes Park and beyond. For more information or a free quote, contact us.
