Let’s discuss using CLR for toilet bowl cleaning. Have you lately discovered that your bathroom bowl is clogged with limescale or rust?
Or does your toilet start to get cloudy and brown? Chances are that germs are present in your toilet. Usually, when there is more dirt, hard stains can form on the toilet bowl.
CLR Toilet Bowl Cleaner
A stained toilet bowl is a horrible sight you can expect to find in any home. It’s a potential source of bacteria and other microorganisms that can quickly become a health hazard.
In some cases, getting rid of such stains is an uphill task.
But don’t worry; there are a few ways you can effectively address stains on your toilet bowl. One way is to use the CLR. As you read this page, you’ll know everything about using CLR toilets.
Until then, let’s review the term CLR.
What’s CLR?
The abbreviation above stands for “Calcium Lime Rust.” It’s a household scrubbing product used to dissolve different kinds of stains.
These include calcium, lime, iron oxide deposits, and more. The product comprises several elements: water, lactic acid, sulfamic acid, and lauramine oxide.
Others are propylene glycol, glycolic acid, citric acid, and ethylene glycol.
Virtually all these components are weak acids. They can dissolve calcium deposits and rust without damaging surrounding metals and plastics.
How Effective is CLR on Toilet Bowl?
Generally, brown stains form from hard water containing many minerals. We refer to calcium, iron, and manganese compounds.
No matter how often you sparkle your toilets, the spots around and inside the bowl remain. Such stains and odors can sometimes occur between seats and bowls.
Simple toilet cleaners can only handle minor stains.
This is where Calcium Lime Rust will always come in handy to address brown stains on the toilet bowl. It also helps remove stubborn stains and bacteria through its multi-chemical activity.
Moreover, it will prevent the formation of iron oxide, which produces rust.
Using CLR to Address Different Types of Toilet Bowl Stains
The procedure to clean toilet bowl stains using CLR depends on where the stains are. Some stains may be above the waterline, while others may be below the waterline.
How to handle each stain depends on this factor, among others. But don’t worry; we’ll tell you how to eliminate these stains in subsequent paragraphs.
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Cleaning Toilet Bowl Stains Below the Water Line
Handling hard toilet bowl stains below the waterline will take much work and energy. In most cases, you’ll have to empty the toilet bowl.
You can start by turning off the water supply to your toilet. Next, you plunge your toilet bowl to push all the excess water into the trap that connects the bowl to the drain.
This will ensure the toilet bowl becomes empty and avoid washing the CLR solution away. Plus, it will give the chemical a chance to work effectively.
Once there’s no water in the toilet bowl, apply your CLR and let it sit for one or two minutes. Use your stiff-bristled toilet brush and scrub every corner until all stains and rust are gone.
Next, reconnect the water supply and flush the toilet. Doing so will wipe all debris and dirt out of your toilet bowl. Again, if some stains remain, repeat the process until they are gone.
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Cleaning Toilet Bowl Stains Above the Water Line
Addressing old stains above the water line in your toilet bowl using CLR is straightforward. You can start by generously applying the solution to the stains and scrubbing with your toilet brush.
While you do that, ensure you don’t scrub too hard or for too long. Moreover, you’re to cover all stains to ensure everything is clean.
Leave the CLR for about two minutes, then flush your toilet twice or thrice. This will eliminate all dirt and leave you with a shiny new toilet.
Meanwhile, ensure the toilet cleaner (CLR) doesn’t stay long. That’s because it may damage the porcelain finish in the bowl. If some stains refuse, apply the toilet cleaner and clean them again.
Understanding the Different Types of Toilet Bowl Stains
There are a couple of toilet bowl stains you must know about. They include regular stains and rust & hard water stains.
These stains can come in various colors, including yellow, red/orange, and black. Before scrubbing your toilet bowl with CLR, watch out for these stains: Otherwise, you may need to help scrub up such stains.
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Stains Caused by Hard Water
This type of toilet stain is common in areas such as your sink, toilet bowl, bathtub, and shower. It’s often caused when your water contains many abrasive minerals.
We refer to magnesium and calcium. The stains can come in brown or yellow colors. They are severe and persistent and will require a solid solution to disappear.
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Stains Caused by Rust
Stains caused by rust often come from a rusty pipe or other components of your plumbing system.
The rust particles are transported by water and stick to the surface of your toilet bowl. Such stains are challenging to remove. You’ll often need robust solutions like CLR to address such stains.
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Stain Caused By Bacteria
Finally, we have the stains caused by bacteria. Such stains are also challenging to remove. Like the two stains above, you’ll need strong chemicals to eliminate them.
Number of Times to Clean Toilet Bowl
Knowing how often to wash your toilet bowl will help you maintain excellent hygiene. Toilet bowls are typically made of porcelain.
The material is highly durable and easy to clean. However, it’s also easy to get stained by hard water. To keep your toilet bowl sparkling at all times, you must wash it once a week.
But if you use your system often, you may wash it twice a week. By doing so, you’ll keep it looking spotless all the while.
Cleaning Supplies, You’ll Need
Gathering the right supplies to clean your toilet bowl effectively would be best.
You’ll need rubber gloves, CLR solution, Disinfectant spray, a scrub brush, a pumice stone, and a toilet brush. Having gathered all these, you’re good to go.
Safety Tips
Before scrubbing your toilet bowl, you’ll need to consider your safety. CLR is toxic and can be harmful, just like other abrasive toilet cleaners.
You’ll need to wear gloves when handling such a solution. While you wash the toilet, ensure the solution doesn’t touch your skin. This may cause a severe reaction.
Moreover, you must ensure you wear a face mask. It’ll prevent you from inhaling the fumes of CLR, which may be harmful to you.
CLR is a powerful cleaning agent that can help you regain the cleanliness and hygiene of your toilet. It’s excellent at addressing all types of toilet stains, including those caused by hard water, bacteria, and rust.
However, you must be careful using this product as it may impact your health.