Two commonly used ingredients are essential allies in removing hard water stains. How to combine them for the best results. Cleaning the toilet can be one of the most unpleasant tasks, but it is also one of the most necessary. This is because all kinds of viruses, bacteria and fungi accumulate there. To do this, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on expensive products, as there are several home remedies that are very effective.
In this context, there are two elements that are part of the vast majority of cleaning methods: vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. Whether separately or together, they have a great ability to leave the toilet sparkling.
Vinegar and baking soda, two essential allies for cleaning the toilet
Cleaning the toilet is one of the most unpleasant but necessary tasks.
- Empty the water from inside the toilet so that the entire stained surface is visible.
- Pour several cups of white vinegar until it covers the line where the water normally reaches. The vinegar helps dissolve mineral deposits.
- Close the lid and let the vinegar work overnight.
- The next morning, add a cup of bicarbonate of soda to the toilet bowl. If you want to intensify the effervescence to combat more difficult stains, you can add a little more vinegar.
- Put on gloves and scrub the inside of the toilet with a brush. It is important to pay attention to the edges and areas where limescale tends to accumulate.
- Flush the toilet to rinse and, if some stains remain, repeat the process.
Cleaning tip: why does mixing bicarbonate of soda and vinegar work?
According to the website, a renowned American television presenter on home improvement programmes, mixing vinegar and bicarbonate of soda causes a powerful natural chemical reaction that helps to clean bathroom and kitchen surfaces. These two elements are at opposite ends of the pH scale: while vinegar is extremely acidic, baking soda is alkaline. When they come into contact, they exchange molecules and produce an effervescent substance that is ideal for removing dirt.
Another way to use vinegar to clean stains in the toilet
recommends another method for removing hard water stains from the toilet. In this case, you need to place a cloth or toilet paper soaked in vinegar over the affected area. After leaving it overnight, remove it and start scrubbing with a mixture of baking soda and enough water to make a paste. At this stage, you can add a little more vinegar to enhance the effect. ‘To clean limescale from the rim of the toilet, fill the edges with kitchen paper and soak it well with vinegar,’ she explained in one of her videos. The secret is to leave it on overnight. ‘Remove the paper and you’ll see that it will be spotless.’
