Yellow staining on a toilet seat is common in public toilets, but it’s also possible for toilets in our homes to have stains. Having to use a toilet with yellow stains is disgusting for you and for guests in your home. The good news is that it’s possible to improve your toilet bowl and its seat to its original color.
In this guide, we will discuss home remedies for toilet stains. Read on!
What Causes Yellow Stains on Toilet Seat?
Stains on toilet seats happen even to the cleanest of homes. Here are some of the reasons you’ll find your toilet seat or bowl with a yellow tint.
- Urine Stains
Although urine is cleaner than most other body fluids like saliva, it can still stain your toilet. Urine contains proteins, uric acid, calcium phosphates, and calcium carbonates. When exposed to air and hard water, these compounds react, forming a compound (resulting in urine stains).
- Hard water Stains
Hard water contains mineral deposits such as magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. These mineral deposits, after drying, will leave stains on a toilet bowl or seat. Depending on where you live, these stains can be very hard to avoid.
- Harsh chemicals
Often, homeowners will think that harsher cleaning agents will do a better job of eliminating dirt and bacteria. However, some strong chemicals will react with a plastic toilet seat, discoloring it.
- Sunlight
If your toilet is located in direct view of the sun, it could cause staining. Constant exposure to the sun’s rays can change the color of your toilet seat from white to yellowish in spots.
How to Remove Yellow Stains from Toilet Seat
Now that we know what causes stains on toilets, how do we remove them?
- Use vinegar
Did you know that the vinegar sitting in your kitchen is a good cleaning agent? Yes, you read that right! All you need to do is pour some white vinegar all around the toilet bowl and seat. Then, allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. After the time has passed, pick a scrubbing brush or scouring pad and brush thoroughly in circular motions. Let it sit for another 5-10 minutes.
Finally, rinse off the toilet and dry it out using a paper towel.
- Vinegar and Baking soda paste
The vinegar and baking soda reaction produce carbonic acid, which is aggressive on stains. Here you need to add the two products in the ratio of 1:1. This means that if you use one cup of vinegar, you also use one cup of baking soda.
Mix the two components and allow fizzing to occur. Then, pour the paste around the toilet seat and bowl. Allow it to sit there for a couple of hours before you scrub. Finally, flush and watch all the stains literally go down the drain.
If the staining is too intense, you could leave the vinegar baking soda solution sitting on the toilet overnight. By doing so, you’ll give it enough time to work on the chemical compounds.
- Bleach
Bleach is not only a disinfectant, but it also has corrosive properties that help tackle tough stains. Bleach can produce toxic fumes, so it’s advisable to open the window and toilet door while cleaning. You also need to wear gloves so that the chemical doesn’t corrode your hands.
Dilute one cup of bleach using one cup of water. Next, sprinkle the solution on the toilet seat, around the bowl, and pour the remaining solution at the bottom. Leave the bleach for about an hour before you scrub. Finally, use a scouring sponge or toilet brush to scrub the toilet thoroughly.
Finally, rinse off the bleach, ensuring you don’t leave any behind as it can be dangerous if it comes into contact with the skin.
- Use co*ke
co*ke manufactured by the Coca-Cola company contains phosphoric acid, which helps to soften stubborn stains. You’ll need two cans of co*ke and a scouring brush for this process.
Pour co*ke around the rims of the toilet bowl and allow it to sit for about twenty minutes. After this time has elapsed, brush the toilet thoroughly to remove stains that are now softened. Finally, flush your toilet to rinse the mixture away.
- Baking soda and Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an abrasive as well as a disinfectant. The solution can work wonders in combination with baking soda to clean out tough yellow stains on your toilet.
You’ll need a spray bottle for this process because hydrogen peroxide can corrode your skin. Spray the hydrogen peroxide around the toilet bowl. Then, sprinkle the baking soda on the already wet surface. Fizzing will occur when the two products come into contact.
Allow the mixture to sit for about 30 minutes before scrubbing the toilet using a toilet brush. Finally, flush the toilet, which by now is sparkling clean.
- Borax solution
The borax powder works on stained areas within minutes. You need to mix the powder with some water in a 1:1 ratio. Apply the paste around the stained areas and leave to soak for about 15-20 minutes. Then, use a brush and scrub thoroughly to remove the stains. Finally, flush your toilet.
How to Prevent Yellow Stains from Forming on the Toilet Seat
Now that we’ve learned how to clean the toilet, we should also learn how to prevent toilet seat discoloration.
- Clean regularly
By the time a toilet turns yellow, it means that it’s neglected. Maintaining a regular cleaning regime can help you protect your toilet from stubborn and disgusting yellow stains. A cleaning routine means thorough scrubbing at least once a week. You should also soak the toilet in disinfectant and cleaning agents overnight to tackle any limescale.
- Always flush
Whether it’s the number one or the number two, always flush your toilet. Flushing eliminates unpleasant smells of urine and also prevents toilet seat discoloration. If you have a guest room with a bathroom, ensure that it is flushed and scrubbed every few days. Hard water at the bottom of an unused toilet will form a ring of yellow stain.
- Don’t use harsh chemicals
Harsh chemicals can discolor your toilet bowl and seat. Yellow stains as a result of chemicals are difficult to clean. Use mild chemicals because otherwise, you’ll need to replace your toilet seat and bowl, which can be expensive.
- Don’t use metal brushes/pumice stones
Despite the level of staining, you should never use metal scrubbing brushes or a pumice stone because they will leave scratches and dents on a plastic toilet seat. A toilet with scratches and dents is difficult to care for because stains hide within the crevices. A plastic brush is sufficient for toilet cleaning.
- Chlorinated tablets
Chlorinated tablets are also a good preventative measure for toilet staining. These tablets prevent color change while at the same time acting as a disinfectant.
Wrap up!
The toilet can harbor germs and yellow stains if neglected. It’s never too late to get your entire toilet seat pristine once again. This guide is your go-to whenever you want to learn about how to clean a toilet with yellow stains or prevent them from forming in the first place. For tougher toilet-related problems than simple stains, give our plumbers a call!
