As of: February 18, 2024, 6:59 a.m
By: Sandra Sporer, Marcus Giebel
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You don't always have to use chemical cleaners to remove urine scale and limescale in the toilet.
Many home remedies are just as effective.
© ingimage/Imago
Limescale and urine scale are unwanted guests in the toilet.
You can combat these effectively – and in an environmentally friendly way – with simple home remedies.
Kassel – Sometimes life goes haywire and one or two household chores temporarily fall by the wayside.
For some things, that's not a big deal.
However, if you skip cleaning the toilet a few times, it quickly has unsightly consequences in the form of limescale and urine scale.
Both can be stubborn, which is why some people resort to chemicals straight away.
However, simpler and much more tolerable home remedies are often sufficient.
The correct order also plays a role when cleaning the toilet.
Vinegar and other acids are good home remedies for urine stone in the toilet
According to ceramics manufacturer Villeroy & Boch, urine scale is formed by a chemical reaction between urine and lime.
It is recommended to remove the urine scale residue at least once a week, which fortunately is possible with various home remedies.
Acids, which chemically react with the calcium carbonate in limescale deposits and make them more soluble, can be an excellent help.
Even with stubborn deposits you can use 30 percent hydrochloric acid.
One tablespoon is enough to descale the toilet.
However, hydrochloric acid is highly corrosive, so safety glasses and gloves should be worn when using it.
In addition, it should not come into contact with metal, as this can produce hydrogen gas.
Vinegar, which consists of five percent acetic acid, can also be helpful.
In the case of vinegar essence, the proportion is as high as 25 percent, which is why it is considered a better alternative if there is severe calcification.
Gloves should also be worn here to protect the skin from contact with the acid.
Further home remedies for removing limescale and urine scale
Another interesting tip is to use cola, as this popular carbonated drink contains phosphoric acid.
According to Villeroy & Boch, a full liter should be added to the toilet bowl and left to act for an hour.
Cola has an even stronger effect when combined with baking powder.
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Citric acid is also useful, highlighting its pleasantly fresh and less pungent scent.
Two to three tablespoons of powdered form should be added to a bucket of one liter of water.
Another alternative is formic acid.
Many commercially available products contain 75 percent of it.
For safe use, it should be diluted to around five to ten percent.
Baking soda, which consists of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), an anti-caking agent, and an acidulant such as tartaric acid, can also be used.
When it comes into contact with water, a chemical reaction occurs between baking soda and acid, releasing carbonic acid.
The baking soda should simply be sprinkled on the affected areas and left to work.
Home remedies for cleaning: Clean the toilet with baking soda
Pure baking soda can also help with toilet cleaning.
A combination with vinegar is recommended here.
First, one to two cups of vinegar should be added to the toilet, followed by a few tablespoons of baking soda.
This mixture is then distributed evenly with the brush.
So there are a number of home remedies that can be used to thoroughly clean the toilet of dirt and debris.
Ökotest
also recommends making your own toilet cleaner using vinegar, baking soda and citric acid.
This protects both the environment and your wallet.
In addition, many cleaners available contain harsh acids that can cause skin irritation and chemical burns, including hydrochloric, sulfamic, and formic acids.