Help! Major loo disaster

EmptyPurse

OK, so in a fit of excess enthusiasm I decided to tackle the really horrid limescale stains on the interior of the loo bowl and which have been there since I moved in.

I decided to use one of those silver metal scouring pad things as I've used it a thousand times on the basin with great success. However, as soon as I started scrubbing the loo everything turned a very funny silver colour! Have I completely ruined the loo or is there a way to get the stains off? At the moment, the more I scrub the worse it gets. I can only think that the metal must have reacted in a funny way with the cleaning chemicals - which seems a bit bizarre as I only ever use Method Eau de toillettes, which is supposed to be chemical free.

Any thoughts gratefully received as I'm rather desperate!

outofmoney

Have you scratched the enamel off?

*zippy*

I did this to my sink and the silver was just on the surface, I can't quite remember how I got it off sorry, but I would guess I used either those sponge cleaners that remove marks, bleach, or Ciff, it did eventually all come off so hopefully yours will be ok too.

WestonDave

Chances are you've grated metal onto the limescale and turned it silver. I find the best option is to use a toilet brush or other implement (hand and cloth) to push all the water round the U Bend so the bottom of the toilet is empty. Then use a cheapo supermarket own brand toilet limescale remover as a good layer - leave for a while and then brush off. Its basically an acid in a thick layer - vinegar would be cheaper but doesn't cling which is why for a deep clean like this its worth getting the toilet cleaner. Moving the water round the bend means it doesn't dilute the cleaner so it is more effective.

EmptyPurse

Doesn't look like I've scratched the enamel off so Weston Dave's explanation sounds likely. I'll have a go at getting rid of the water, limescaling & then using green scratchy sponges instead. I hope this works, otherwise I've got a bit of explaining to do to my landlord! (And before anyone accuses me of being a bad tenant, the flat's in a better/cleaner condition than when I moved in)

Rainy-Days

Bail out the water and then put a bottle of coke down the loo, that will take the limescale off as will vinegar.

It might not be limescale though it could be calcium deposits and your best bet is to use a pumice stone, you won't damage the loo as the pumice is sofer than enamel/porcelain.

rsj

Rainy-Days already beat me to the coke idea, leave it overnight to do its stuff.

EmptyPurse

rsj wrote: »

Rainy-Days already beat me to the coke idea, leave it overnight to do its stuff.

Best use I've ever heard for Coke - can't stand the stuff

Callie22

Steradent works too, just chuck a few tablets in the loo and leave overnight. If you feel like scrubbing, I've just discoverd Bar Keeper's Friend and it's great, works a treat on limescale with a bit of elbow grease.

SpikyHedgehog

Callie22 wrote: »

Steradent works too, just chuck a few tablets in the loo and leave overnight. If you feel like scrubbing, I've just discoverd Bar Keeper's Friend and it's great, works a treat on limescale with a bit of elbow grease.

I've done the same thing before... Brillo pads are not good in toilets! I used Bar Keepers Friend sprinkled lavishly round the toilet & scrubbed with a sponge washing up scourer. I've also used the powder cleaner for ceramic hobs when out of BKF.

A thing to check on if the toilet's badly scaled is how much scale is under the rim. In a rented property about 17 years ago, the toilet was rubbish at flushing from the time we moved in. When I checked, there was so much scale under the rim, I had to use an old knife to chip away at it!

[Deleted User]

Kym of Kym and Aggie fame, always used vim on limescale, rubber gloves, vim and a green backed foam pad was her recipe for cleaning a toilet.