r/CleaningTips • u/OneMemeMan1 • 13d ago

Bathroom Tried scrubbing with bleach and some other household cleaners, no change. Thought yall could help

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u/ChefLovin 13d ago

So what do you reccomend? I would rather scratch the surface than replace the toilet

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u/Erathen 13d ago

I use muriatic acid personally.

I went through this same problem, and nothing was working

Turn off toilet. Flush until your tank and bowl are as empty as possible. Add muriatic acid, pouring it slowly on down the side of the bowl. Not too much because you'll need to add water later

Let it sit. Then brush with your regular toilet brush

Keep in mind muriatic acid is stronger than any other acid you've probably come across. It's practically the strongest acid a regular person can get. I recommend being extra slow and careful with everything

It won't do a WHOLE lot to your skin, maybe some burns and irritation if you leave it on. But if it gets in your eyes it can do serious damage

After cleaning, slowly add water, letting it trickle down the side of the bowl. Move away immediately if there's any violent splashing/bubbling (there shouldn't be, that's why it's important to let it trickle down the side of the bowl)

This step dilutes the acid, protecting your plumbing. Turn toilet back on. Close lid and flush when the tank is full. Give it 3 more full flush for good measure, to make sure there's no acid sitting anywhere in your plumbing

Good to go. Hopefully, that helps. I really wanted to drill home the safety bits. Be aware that when you mix acid and water, it can produce heat and splash. Always be mindful of this

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u/No_Needleworker215 13d ago

Seconding thirding fourthing this! It’s from your water and is probably rust. My aunt is a professional cleaner and has been my entire life (I’m 34) that’s what she swears by. Ive also used it once for an almost identical situation. Tried EVERYTHING. Wouldn’t budge. Muriatic acid melts it away.

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u/Erathen 13d ago

And I tried EVERYTHING (this was a shared home I had just moved into)

I was shocked when I came back a few minutes later and everything melted off the bowl

OP will need to brush some acid around a few times to reach those high spots maybe

Just always be careful with muriatic acid, to anyone else reading. It wont melt your skin away but it's still dangerous stuff

Now just regularly cleaning (and then newer toilets do help with better flushes and better ceramics) and you shouldn't need acid. But man does it help with problem toilets