limescale on toilet

moneylover

bathroom in son's new flat not too great but have managed to clean tiles etc quite well. Hiwever, problem toilet, covered in limescale. Emptied the pan of water and have used the standard ' 100% limescale remover' that you get in the sumpermarket. Have managed to scour off all the scale above the waterline, but cannot shift what is below. Is there any other product I could safely use?

whatamess_2

Friend of mine moved in to a house with a similar problem.

We used 'spirit of salts' its a very caustic solution that melts the lime scale. We had to go to an old fashioned hardware store to get it.

Be very careful with it if you use it.

coolagarry

some people swear by a bottle of coca cola poured into the pan and left overnight... worth a try?

Nordictat2

Before he goes to bed...tell him to empty a 2 liter bottle of cheap cola (not diet!) into the toilet and let sit overnight...come morning all the limescale should be GONE!
If perhaps there is a bit left a Pumas stone will take care of the rest
Trust me it works a treat!

peeedoffandskint

empty the bowl as much as you can and fill it with steaming hot water, rinse and repeat as many times as is needed, the heat will expand the china slightly and limescale 'should' come off no probs.

or

local plumbers place and get some hydrochloric acid, bung that down there and flush after few mins, be good as new after, clean enough to eat ur dinner off

TimBuckTeeth

The active ingredient in limescale remover stuff is acid (usually hydrochloric), which reacts with the calcium compounds in limescale.
Spirit of salts is an old name for hydrochloric acid.
I would not bother with the cola, it is less acidic than limescale remover.

If it is not working then try to get some more concentrated stuff as mentioned in other posts, and leave it to work for longer. Might need reapplying several times if the limescale layer is thick. You mentioned emptying the pan - this is a good idea as the acid will not get diluted by the water.

Be careful with concentrated acid, open the window in the room and wear gloves and ideally goggles.

the_other_mce

If it is just limescale (even a really bad build-up) - use a toilet brush to push as much water out of the toilet as possible - then squirt a good amount of TESCO TOILET LIMESCALE REMOVER (about 75p-in a blue bottle). Leave for as long as possible - overnight if you can. The toilet will look like it is brand new once you have 'flushed and brushed' again - I promise!!! I know it sounds too easy but it REALLY works.

welshblob

I have this problem myself and a friend has recommended and bought me a bottle of killrock.k from b&q for ~£2 a 250ml bottle. You use half the bottle on a toilet and it can also be used on kettles, shower heads, irons etc. It is caustic and says it's formic acid plus additives. I'll let you know how i get on with it.

Rob

moneylover

welshblob wrote: »

I have this problem myself and a friend has recommended and bought me a bottle of killrock.k from b&q for ~£2 a 250ml bottle. You use half the bottle on a toilet and it can also be used on kettles, shower heads, irons etc. It is caustic and says it's formic acid plus additives. I'll let you know how i get on with it.

Rob

would like to know how successful this is, if not will go with the acid option !
Thanks everyone!

lexa34

I am so glad to find this thread! It has been bugging me for a few weeks. IS there any money saving and eco suggestions out there?

How about a bottle of white vinegar over night? Or bottle of cheap lemon juice? Hmmm...

bookduck

lexa34, think most of the acids will do, just some are stronger and work better, I tried vinegar in mine and after a few bottles, gave up. I got undiluted hydrochloric which after half a large bottle (in staged) did the job.

you could read this http://ask.metafilter.com/42646/Toilet-limescale