Those brown stains in a toilet bowl, what are they and how do you get rid of them? Through a deep clean perhaps?

To get rid of brown stains in a toilet bowl you simply need to use something abrasive or acidic and let it sit. You can go buy acidic products like white vinegar or you can use products you possibly have at home. Think of lemon, baking soda, and even a fizzy beverage. The acidity in these products will help loosen the stains.

Keep reading to find out the recipes to DIY a brown stain remover for your toilet!

What causes brown stains in a toilet?

Those stubborn brown stains you’ll sometimes find in toilet bowls are not poop stains. If they were, they’d be easily removed by using a toilet brush.

Stubborn brown stains in a toilet are caused by minerals that are left behind when water evaporates. These minerals, that leave deposits, will catch bacteria and dirt which results in a brown-looking stain. Before turning brown, this kind of stain may have been white, gray, or even green.

Another thing that looks like brown stains is actually rust.

Rust develops in toilets when mold spores get in. Eventually, these organisms cause rust which looks like brown stains.

To combat all of this, you need a cleaner and some elbow grease.

How do you get brown stains out of toilets?

Whatever type of remover you’ll use, before you use it you need to shut off your water.

To get brown stains out of your toilet you need either acidic cleaners (vinegar or something that contains carbonic and phosphoric acid) or an abrasive product. Think of a pumice stone. Combine those two together and you’re toilet will look brand new.

The goal is to first loosen the stain and then scrub it off.

Products that are great for getting rid of brown stains in toilets are:

1. Coke or other fuzzy drinks
   • Coca-Cola can be effective for cleaning because of its acidic content, which can help dissolve and remove stubborn stains, such as rust or mineral deposits.
2. White vinegar
   • White vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent because its high acidity can effectively dissolve mineral deposits, cut through grease, and remove stubborn stains from various surfaces.
3. Lemon Juice
   • Lemon juice is an effective cleaning agent due to its high acidity, which helps break down and dissolve grease, grime, and mineral deposits.
4. Baking Soda
   • Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent because its fine, abrasive texture helps scrub away stains and dirt without scratching surfaces.

You can choose to use these ingredients by themselves or together. Let it sit for a few hours and you’re good to go.

Here are some cleaning recipes for your toilet:

White vinegar and baking soda

To get brown stains out of your toilet with white vinegar and baking soda you:

1. Shut off the water and flush so the bowl empties
2. Sprinkle some baking soda in your toilet bowl
3. Add white vinegar to the bowl and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes
4. Grab a toilet brush and scrub scrub scrub
5. Turn on the water and flush the toilet

If there’s still a bit of brown repeat the steps.

White vinegar and Coca-Cola

1. Shut off the water and flush so the bowl empties
2. Add a can of Coke (just enough to cover the stains)
3. Let sit for at least 30 minutes
4. Grab a toilet brush and scrub scrub scrub
5. Turn on the water and flush the toilet

Repeat if necessary.

White vinegar and Coca-Cola

To use coca-cola and white vinegar to clean your toilet you:

1. Shut off the water and flush so the bowl empties
2. Add 1 part white vinegar and 1 can of Coca-Cola (enough to cover the stains)
3. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight)
4. Grab a toilet brush and scrub scrub scrub
5. Turn on the water supply and flush the toilet

Repeat if necessary.

Lemon juice and baking soda

To get rid of brown toilet stains by using lemon juice and baking soda you:

1. Shut off the water and flush so the bowl empties
2. Sprinkle some baking soda in your toilet bowl
3. Add lemon juice to the bowl and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes
4. Grab a toilet brush and scrub scrub scrub
5. Flush the toilet

Repeat if necessary.

Best cleanser to get rid of brown stains in toilet

We’ve scoured the internet and looked at the best reviews of toilet cleansers and tools made to get rid of brown stains. This is what we’ve found:

Here are the best-rated cleansers and tools to get rid of and/or prevent brown stains in the toilet:

• 2 pack pumice stone for toilets
• Lysol automatic toilet bowl cleaner
  • This one doesn’t get rid of stains but prevents it
• Distilled white vinegar
• Baking Soda by Whole Foods
  

Types of toilet stains

Stains in toilets are primarily caused by a combination of factors, including mineral deposits, hard water, and the accumulation of organic materials. One of the most common contributors to toilet stains is hard water, which contains minerals like calcium and magnesium.

As water evaporates from the toilet bowl, these minerals can be left behind, forming a stubborn ring or discoloration.

There are different types of toilet stains caused by:

• Limescale
  • Hard chalky deposit in an off-white color
  • You also often find Limescale in kettles
  • Get rid of it by using a descaling agent or natural acidic
  • Prevent this by using a water softener and regular cleaning
• Rust
  • Red-brownish color
  • This means you have higher levels of iron in your water supply
  • Get rid of using red vinigar
  • Prevent by regular cleaning
• Sulfur
• Manganese

Additionally, organic matter, such as bacteria, urine, and feces, can contribute to staining over time. These substances can react with the minerals in hard water, creating unsightly brown or yellowish stains. Porous surfaces, like the porous glaze on some toilet bowls, can trap these particles and make stains even more challenging to remove.

How to prevent brown stains in toilet

To prevent brown stains in the toilet you need to clean it regularly. At least once a week and give it a thorough cleaning once a month. Another thing that helps prevent brown stains in toilets is using water filters. This way nothing will build up and won’t turn brown over time.

While you can’t personally influence what’s in your water, you can take care of your toilet as you go.

Be sure to flush every time after using the toilet. Use a toilet brush if flushing doesn’t remove everything. As you can tell, just keep everything as clean as possible. Preventing is easier than curing it.

But, despite what you’ve been told, do not use bleach.

Does bleach remove brown stains from the toilet bowl?

Bleach does not remove brown stains from the toilet bowl but it does bleach it. This way the toilet bowl is not actually cleaned, the stain will just blend in with the white of the bowl. The only way to actually remove the stain is to use something acidic or abrasive.

Also, a very common but dangerous mistake is to mix bleach with common cleaning products. This results in a dangerous gas that is hazardous to your health such as:

• Wheezing
• Chest pain
• Irritation to eyes
• Fluid in the lungs

And much more.

Always read the back of your product before using it (with different products). For more information about cleaning products and bleach, you can read this article from the Washington State Department of Health.

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