Got nasty urine stains in your toilet? I feel your pain – they’ve been a hassle for me too many times. Below I’ll share where they come from and how you can deal with them efficiently.
Contents
What Causes a Urine Scale on Your Toilet Bowl?
A urine scale forms on a toilet bowl primarily due to repeated use, especially when accompanied by not flushing a toilet after each use. Failure to clean correctly can also cause a urine scale.
That leads us to the next question…what is a urine scale stain?
What is Urine Scale and What Causes It?
A urine scale is a solid compound formed when compounds in urine react with each other. Urine is composed of calcium carbonate, calcium phosphates, uric acid, and protein deposits.
When urine is expelled, the calcium and protein deposits undergo a chemical reaction process due to various factors such as pH, temperature, and hard water. After repeated use, the solid compound forms a yellow stain on the toilet bowl.
How to Remove Urine Stains from a Toilet Seat and Toilet Bowl
Although urine stains are an eyesore, the good news is that there are several ways of combating the problem. These include:
Regular Cleaning
One way to remove the unsightly yellow stains is through regular cleaning using bleach and a toilet brush. However, it takes a little more than pouring in some cleaning fluid and a little scrubbing with just any brush. You need bleach and a good toilet brush.
When cleaning, follow these steps:
- First, reduce the water level in the bowl. Then pour in some bleach and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Next, pour in the cleaning agent and scrub thoroughly.
- Remember to clean the toilet seat and the hard-to-reach inside and also the outside of the toilet rim.
- Finally, rinse it out.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
- Take a quarter cup of vinegar and mix it with an equal part of baking soda in a bowl to form a foamy paste.
- Using a disposable brush, apply the paste on the toilet seat and under the toilet rim and let it sit for about ten minutes.
- Don’t forget the toilet bowl. Pour some vinegar in and add baking soda. It will sizzle and start to break down the stains.
- Once the ten minutes are up, scrub off all the paste using a piece of cloth soaked in water. Then, rinse the bowl with clean water and dry the toilet seat with a dry cloth.
The toilet seat and bowl should now be clean with no urine stain.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is another effective technique for removing urine stains from a toilet bowl.
- Mix eight ounces of hydrogen peroxide, a few drops of dish soap, and three tablespoons of baking soda.
- Next, apply the mixture to the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes, and rinse.
- Finally, flush the toilet and pat dry.
Baking Soda and Tea Tree Oil
Another method of removing urine stains from a toilet bowl is using baking soda and tea tree oil.
Mix half a cup of baking soda with ten drops of tea tree oil to form a pasty solution. Apply the paste on the stained toilet seat and bowl and let it sit for a few minutes.
Next, use a clean soaked rag or cloth to wipe off the urine stains. Now wash off the excess paste with regular soap and water, then flush to rinse the toilet bowl.
Can You Leave Toilet Bowl Cleaner Applied Overnight?
Any toilet bowl cleaner can be left to sit overnight. In fact, left overnight, toilet cleaners work more effectively.
However, like bleach, toilet cleaners have a bad smell, but it’s worth persevering. And the good thing is, there are no risks of damaging the toilet bowl.
Can Urine Damage a Toilet?
Although urine is slightly acidic, it cannot damage a toilet. That’s because the presence of water in toilet bowls dilutes the acidity in the urine, making it harmless.
That said, even though urine cannot damage a toilet, long-term regular use and accumulation of urine can lead to the formation of tough stains and bacteria that cause a terrible smell.
What Happens if You Don’t Flush a Toilet for a Long Time?
Although there are no significant repercussions when a toilet is left unflushed for a long time, there are still some effects. Tough stains can form on the toilet rim, which can prove challenging to remove.
Apart from just the stains, there can be a buildup of ammonia which has a terrible smell that causes much discomfort, is embarrassing and gives a bad impression to your friends, family, or guests.
Flushing a toilet after each use ensures that ammonia doesn’t build up and tough stains do not form.
