Pumice stones are made from volcanic rock and are porous and abrasive, making them perfect for scrubbing away tough stains and mineral buildup in your toilet bowl.
Not only are they effective, but they are also eco-friendly and won’t harm your plumbing or septic system.
Cleaning the toilet isn’t my favorite chore, I admit, but it’s a necessary one to keep your bathroom looking and smelling fresh. With three boys in my household, it can be an uphill struggle to keep it clean.
While there are many products available in the market that promise to make the job easier, they can be harsh and expensive.
Using a pumice stone to clean your toilet might sound strange, but it’s a tried and true method that has been used for years.
In this article, I’ll show you how to get a gleaming and stain-free toilet bowl in no time. So, grab your pumice stone and let’s get started!
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Things you’ll need:
Pumice stone
Make sure you choose a pumice stone that is specifically designed for cleaning, not the kind you use on your feet to remove hard skin!
Pumice stones that are designed for cleaning are softer and won’t scratch the porcelain surface of your toilet bowl.
Gloves
Rubber gloves are a must, as you will be putting your hands down the toilet.
Method:
1. Gently scrub
- Hold the pumice stone firmly and start scrubbing the inside of the toilet bowl.
- Use gentle pressure while scrubbing to avoid any damage to the surface.
- Move the stone in a circular motion around the stains to remove them effectively.
2. Focus on stains
If there are stubborn stains, focus on them by applying more pressure to remove them.
You can also use the pumice stone to clean the waterline and the rim of the toilet bowl.
However, be careful while cleaning the rim, as the rough surface of the stone can scratch the chrome or metal parts.
How to ‘deep’ your toilet
So far, I’ve talked about how to clean the toilet bowl with the standing water in place. In many cases this will be enough to remove stains because a pumice stone is so effective.
But if your toilet bowl looks like this, it may need a deeper clean.
In this case, I recommend draining the water so that cleaning solutions have a better chance to get to work.
You can do this by turning off the water supply to the toilet and then flushing it until all water has drained out.
The stains in your toilet could be caused by a number of things, the most common is hard water stains that can actually be brown. You might think they are poop stains, but actually they are not!
Here are some things to try:
Coca-Cola
Some say Coca-Cola is a miracle cleaner, some say it doesn’t work at all.
Either way, it is worth a try if you have a can to hand. Since no one really knows the ingredients, it’s difficult to know how this can be effective.
- Take a can of cola, any type will do.
- Pour it around the rim and into the bowl.
- Allow to sit for several hours or overnight.
- Flush it away.
Vinegar and baking soda
- Pour two cups of distilled white vinegar into the bowl.
- Follow with two cups of baking soda or washing soda crystals.
- Allow the chemicals to fizz.
- Leave to work for 30 minutes.
- If necessary, scrub the brown stains away with a pumice stone.
Harpic
Some people have said that Harpic works brilliantly to clean the bottom of the toilet.
- Add a Harpic Power Plus tablet to the toilet water.
- Let it sit in the bottom of the toilet for several hours or overnight, and then flush.
Denture tablets
Who would have thought it, but denture tablets are said to work brilliantly in the toilet!
- Pour a bucket of hot tap water (not boiling) into the bowl (this helps the tablet to dissolve better).
- Add one or two denture tablets to the bowl.
- Let it sit for several hours before flushing.
How to look after your pumice stone
To ensure that your pumice stone stays effective and in good condition, it’s important to clean and store it properly.
You can clean it by soaking it in a weak solution of water and bleach for about 10 minutes, or some soapy water. Afterward, rinse the stone thoroughly with water and let it air dry.
Avoid storing your pumice stone in a damp or humid location, as this can cause it to break down or become less effective.
You will need to replace your pumice stone periodically, as it will eventually wear down with use.
Make sure to have at least a couple in your store cupboard. I like to have one handy just for the toilet, that way I don’t use if for anything else. Plus, as they can quickly wear away, don’t want to get caught short.
Here’s another use for your pumice stone: