Toilet limescale will vanish in a 'few hours' with 1 acidic supermarket item - not vinegar

By Millie Bull, Deputy Lifestyle Editor

The worst areas for limescale in your toilet are the waterline and underneath the toilet rim (Image: Getty)

If you've noticed black, brown or rust-coloured stains in your toilet bowl, it's likely limescale.

The worst areas for limescale in your toilet are the waterline and underneath the toilet rim.

Removing the unpleasant stains can be difficult as they're often stubborn and products such as bleach often don't work.

Many specialist cleaning products are available for removing toilet limescale, but these can be costly.

Rather than resorting to pricey chemicals, an expert has suggested using an item you might already have at home - and it's not white vinegar.

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James Roberts, director of Sanctuary Bathrooms, suggested using cola to remove the unsightly stains (Image: Getty)

James Roberts, director of Sanctuary Bathrooms, suggested using cola to remove the unsightly stains.

He said: "Believe it or not, cola isn’t just a refreshing beverage; it’s also a great cleaner for hard water marks and limescale due to its acidic content.

"Simply pour a few glasses of cola into the toilet bowl, ensuring it covers all stained areas and let it sit for a few hours to break down the buildup.

“Afterwards, scrub the bowl with a toilet brush to lift any remaining residue, then flush a few times to rinse everything away.

"This easy and cost-effective trick is a great alternative to commercial cleaning products for refreshing your toilet."

Cola contains phosphoric acid, which can chemically break down the calcium carbonate of toilet limescale.

Cola can also be used for removing rust stains, and mineral buildup in other parts of the home.

Full sugar cola can be purchased from Sainsbury's and Tesco for just 75p and Asda for 60p.