Rust in Toilet Bowl or Tank? Clear These Stubborn Stains Naturally

Ugh! Has your once-pristine porcelain toilet become a battleground of rust? You may think these reddish-brown stains have come to stay, but there’s good news! With a little knowledge about the reasons for this problem and the DIY fixes, you can exile them and restore your bathroom to its gleaming glory.

Why Am I Getting Rust in My Toilet Bowl?

Rust in your toilet bowl or tank is a real bummer. There are a few reasons as to why this happens:

Iron in the Water

Water has greater than 10 mg/L of iron in it. You’ll be surprised to know that even 0.3 mg/L can turn the water to reddish brown. When it touches the metal parts inside the tank or bowl, rust stains pop up. 

Hard Water 

An estimated 85% of US properties have hard water running through their pipes. Packed with calcium, magnesium, and iron, hard water evaporates and can leave these mineral deposits that build up and rust your toilet.

Old Pipes or Plumbing 

Home and business spaces with old iron pipes are more prone to corrosion. It’s not a hidden fact that this corrosion has the potential of rusting the whole of your plumbing system, but the toilet is affected the most. The reason is the tank holds the water till the next flush. The more time the water stays in the tank, rust starts to occur in it. After flushing, the reddish-brown water comes from the tank into the bowl and stains it as well. If you fail to clear these stains, the bowl can rust, too. 

Old or Damaged Toilet Parts 

Metal components within the toilet tank, like bolts, nuts, or even the flapper valve, can rust the tank if they’re old or damaged. When this rusted water travels to the bowl after flushing, it also gets stained.

How To Get Rid of Rust Inside a Toilet Bowl?

Baking Soda & Citric Acid

1. Take 1/2 cup of citric acid powder with 1 cup of baking soda and mix them.
2. Create a paste that can cling to the bowl easily by adding a few drops of water.
3. Apply this mixture directly to the rusty areas in the toilet bowl. 
4. Wait for about an hour. 
5. Take the toilet brush, scrub the bowl, and flush it to rinse everything away. 

Baking Soda & White Vinegar

1. Pour baking soda (1 cup) into the bowl and spread it evenly.
2. Now add 1 cup of white vinegar. 
3. The mixture will fizz.
4. Wait for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Let the mixture sit overnight for stubborn rust.
6. Use a toilet brush to scrub the rust stains.
7. Flush the toilet.
8. Repeat if necessary. 

Salt & Lemon Juice

1. Cut a lemon, a fresh one,  in half.
2. Dip the cut side of the lemon into the salt.
3. Use it to scrub the rusty surface in the toilet bowl. 
4. Wait 30-60 minutes.
5. Scrub the bowl with a brush.
6. Flush the toilet.
7. Repeat the process if needed.

Lemon Juice & Borax

1. Mix about 1/2 cup of lemon juice and borax powder in a bowl to make a cleaning paste.
2. Apply it directly to the rusty surface inside the toilet bowl. 
3. Wait it out for 30 minutes or even longer to break down the tough rust stains. 
4. Then, scrub the rusty areas where you applied the paste with a toilet brush. 
5. Flush the toilet.
6. Do this process one more time if needed.

Pumice Stone

1. Wet the pumice stone and the toilet bowl with water to create a lubricating layer.
2. Scrub the rust with the stone using gentle pressure in a circular motion.
3. Rinse the toilet bowl thoroughly with clean water.
4. Do a flush to get rid of any remaining debris.

TIP: For extra cleaning power, you can make a paste with baking soda and water to scrub alongside the pumice stone. 

How Do You Remove Rust From a Toilet Tank?

1. Turn off the water to the toilet and flush it to empty the tank.
2. Take equal parts of cream of tartar, hydrogen peroxide, and scouring powder, and make a paste.
3. Make sure the texture is a bit moist. 
4. Open the toilet tank.
5. Apply this paste to the rusty parts and immediately scrub it.
6. Refill and flush the tank.
7. Now, the paste, along with rusty water, will go down the drain. 

If you see rust in toilet tank parts like the flapper, chain, flush valve, etc., spray white vinegar and leave the toilet untouched for a day. 

You can also pour white vinegar directly into the tank water. Make sure the fluid sits roughly 1.3 cm below the rim. Wait for a day and then flush the toilet at least 4 times to clear all traces of vinegar from the tank.

Alternatively, fill the tank with a can of cola, wait for 2 hours, and flush the toilet.

Another choice is the commercial rust removers. Simply follow the instructions on the bottle while applying the product to the rusty areas in the tank, scrub it with a small brush, and flush away.

Prevention: Special drop-in cubes, tablets, and packets are readily available. Just drop one in the tank every 10-15 days. Each flush will activate the chemical and stop rust buildup inside. Also, try using water softeners to make the hard water soft. 

Conclusion

Rust, either in the toilet bowl or tank, is disgusting to look at. But you can DIY your way out of this problem. Remember, for light rust, a natural remedy like vinegar or baking soda might be your knight in shining armor. But for more stubborn stains, a pumice stone or a commercial rust remover can be your trusty steed. If nothing seems to work, don’t hesitate to call in a professional plumber – they’ll have the tools and expertise to ensure your toilet reigns supreme!