There is a simple way to clean your toilet naturally without having to scrub it for ages or use harsh chemicals like bleach, and the solution is likely already sitting in your kitchen cupboard.

14:46, Sun, Dec 29, 2024 | UPDATED: 14:49, Sun, Dec 29, 2024

Picture of limescale-ridden toilet

If the bottom of your toilet bowl is looking stained then you are likely dealing with limescale (Image: Getty)

Cleaning the toilet can be one of the most dreaded chores that many of us put off, but it can be easy to do within minutes if you have the right products. 

The reason toilets are often annoying to clean is due to limescale, a hard stain that is made from minerals left over when water evaporates and will stubbornly cling to surfaces. 

It is important to remove limescale as it can build up at the bottom of your toilet bowl and interfere with the flow of water which will make flushing less efficient or cause clogging. 

Bella, an expert from Norfolk Natural Living, explained how incredibly simple is is to clean a toilet - as long as you do not use bleach - as there are ingredients you likely have in your kitchen that can remove limescale. 

She said: “Traditional bleach may seem like a quick fix, but it comes with downsides such as strong chemical fumes and potential harm to the environment. Fortunately, there are natural methods that are just as effective and much safer.” 

Picture of vinegar, baking soda and a lemon being used for cleaning

The best way to remove limescale without using bleach is vinegat and lemon juice (Image: Getty)

How to clean a toilet naturally without using bleach 

What you will need: 

The key to removing limescale is acidic products which can break down the limescale minerals, and a natural way to do this is to use vinegar or lemon juice. 

White vinegar you put on chips contains acetic acid while lemon juice contains citric acid, which can dissolve calcium carbonate which is the competent limescale is made up of. 

Baking soda is also handy to use as well to remove limescale when it is mixed with both vinegar and lemon juice it will create a foam which also helps physically loosen limescale without having to scrub it. 

Vinegar is very effective at removing stains without having to use chemicals but the only drawback is its pungent smell, so Bella recommends using a scented vinegar spray instead. 

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Picture of someone cleaning a toilet

Your toilet will be sparkling clean without having to scrub it for ages or use harsh chemicals (Image: Getty)

Method:

To begin, pour vinegar or lemon juice into the toilet bowl and leave it to sit for a while so it has time to break down the limescale. 

If you can, let the solution sit overnight as this will help dissolve tougher and more stubborn stains. 

Once the time is up sprinkle some baking soda directly onto a toilet brush and gently use it to wipe at the limescale stains on your toilet bowl. 

Bella said: “The combination of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda will create a fizzy reaction that aids in lifting the deposits.”

Your toilet should now be completely clean. Simply flush the toilet to rinse away the cleaning solution. 

If you wish, spray a little lemon juice around the inside of your bowl to make your toilet smell fresh and also help remove any remaining limescale you can not have wiped away.