I’m often peeking my nose in cleaning groups reading member hints and tips, learning new things. As much as I love reading about all the great ideas, it’s disheartening to see just how many people use chemical laden cleaning products. Many pack some serious toxic punch, and of course, they all end up down the sink and into our oceans.

The crazy thing is, natural is just as effective, if not better, than store purchased brands, and they cost a fraction of the price.

The crazy thing is, natural is just as effective, if not better, than store purchased brands, and they cost a fraction of the price. If your loo a little neglected and has a build-up of stains, check out these natural, non-toxic remedies.

Limescale Removal Myths

There are two things that will NOT remove limescale and mineral build up.

Cola
Bleach

While both these may make your stain look lighter, it will require a lot of elbow grease for terrible results.

Mineral stains, or calcium carbonate, can be easily cleaned using these natural ingredients.

Light Staining - Baking Soda & Vinegar

01: Turn off the water supply to the toilet. Flush the toilet to lower the water level.

02: Pour 1.5 cups of vinegar into the toilet bowl and swish it around with a toilet brush making sure you get the solution onto any stains that are above the mixture. Let sit for about five minutes.

03: Add about 1.5 cups of baking soda to the toilet bowl, then add another 2 cups of vinegar. The mixture will start to fizz. Swish with a toilet brush making sure you get the solution onto any stains that are above the mixture. Let sit for as long as possible, or at least 4 hours.

If stains are visible above the waterline and around your bowl, put ingredients into a spray bottle and apply to stain liberally and reapply every 30-minutes

04: Clean using a toilet brush until the stains have gone. Flush the toilet to rinse.

Medium Staining - Vinegar & Lemon Juice (recommended)

01: Turn off the water supply to the toilet. Flush the toilet to lower the water level.

02: Fill the bowl with enough vinegar to cover the calcification. If stains are visible above the waterline and around your bowl, put ingredients into a spray bottle and apply to stain liberally and reapply every 30-minutes

03: Use a toilet brush to swish the solution around the bowl, making sure to get the vinegar onto any stains that are above the vinegar. Pour the juice of one lemon down the sides of the bowl. Don’t flush the toilet.

04: Let the vinegar/lemon mix soak overnight, or for 4-6 hours.

05: Clean using a toilet brush until the stains have gone. Flush the toilet to rinse.

Heavier Staining - Borax & Vinegar

01: Pour ½ cup of Borax into the toilet bowl and swish it around with a toilet brush making sure you get the solution onto any stains that are above the mixture.

If stains are visible above the waterline and around your bowl, put ingredients into a spray bottle and apply to stain liberally and reapply every 30-minutes

02: Add 2 cups of vinegar and allow the mixture to sit for as long as possible, or at least 4 hours.

03: Clean using a toilet brush until the stains have gone. Flush the toilet to rinse.

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