How to Clean Every Kind of Stain in a Toilet Bowl

Stains are an eyesore in a toilet bowl, but chances are you’ll notice them in your bathroom now and then. Fortunately, you can easily clean stains in a toilet bowl using common household products like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda. 

In this article, we show you how to clean every kind of stain from your toilet bowl, including black, yellow, and ring stains. We reveal the causes of different stains you might notice in your toilet, simple methods to remove them, and tips for keeping your toilet bowl clean.

How to clean stains in your toilet bowl

You can use baking soda, distilled white vinegar, and your toilet brush to clean most stains from your toilet bowl easily. Pour two cups of vinegar into the toilet bowl, then sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the vinegar. Let sit for 30 minutes, then scrub thoroughly with a toilet brush. Finally, flush to rinse.

This is one of the most common methods for cleaning stains in a toilet bowl, but depending on the type of stain, you might also use hydrogen peroxide, borax, or bleach. In a minute, we’ll explain the best solution for removing each kind of stain. But first, here are all the supplies you’ll need.

What you’ll need to clean your toilet

• Rubber gloves
• Scrub brush
• Pumice stone (optional)
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Borax
• Toilet brush or toilet bowl wand
• Bleach (Optional)

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How to remove different types of stains from toilet bowl

Here are the most common types of toilet bowl stains and the best way to clean each. 

Ring stains

Hard water and prolonged water standing in a toilet are the leading causes of toilet rings. To clean, add 1/4 cup of borax to the toilet bowl and scrub with a toilet brush. Next, add 1 cup of vinegar, swish around again, and let the mixture sit for 20 minutes. Finally, scrub with a toilet brush and rinse with a flush.

Step 1: Gather safety gear

Borax can be harsh on your eyes and skin, so it’s best to wear gloves, a face mask, and protective eyewear when you clean your toilet bowl using this method.

Step 2: Add borax

Sprinkle 1/4 cup borax directly into the toilet bowl.

Step 3: Add vinegar

Next, measure 1 cup of vinegar and pour it into the toilet bowl over the borax.

Step 4: Let solution sit

Allow the mixture to sit for 20 minutes, or even longer if the stain is particularly stubborn.

Step 5: Scrub the stain

After the mixture has sat for the desired amount of time, use a toilet brush to scrub the toilet bowl thoroughly, focusing more on the ring stain.

Step 6: Flush to rinse

Finally, flush the toilet to rinse away the borax and vinegar mixture. You can repeat the process if any stains remain until the stain is completely gone.

A final word of caution: We strongly recommend that borax be used only in well-ventilated areas and should never be kept around children or pets, as it can be harmful if swallowed or inhaled.

Black stains

Black stains frequently form as a result of mold or mildew growth. To clean, pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, scrub the stains with your toilet brush. If the stains persist, sprinkle some baking soda and scrub once more. Rinse and flush.

• First, flush the toilet to wet the inside of the bowl.
• Pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet bowl, making sure to coat the sides of the bowl with the solution.
• Let the hydrogen peroxide sit in the bowl for at least 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes, thoroughly scrub the toilet bowl and black stains with a toilet brush. 
• If the stain persists, sprinkle some baking soda and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then scrub the toilet bowl again. 
• Flush the toilet and repeat the process if necessary.

Yellow stains

Yellow stains form on a toilet bowl when hard water is used or urine is left in the bowl for a long time. To clean, pour two cups of vinegar into the toilet bowl. Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda on it. You should notice and hear some fizz. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Next, use a toilet brush to scrub. Flush and rinse.

• Pour two cups of vinegar into the toilet bowl. 
• Swish the vinegar around with a toilet brush and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Pour a cup of baking soda into the bowl. 
• Let the vinegar and baking soda sit for at least 30 minutes. 
• Scrub the toilet bowl thoroughly with a toilet brush. 
• Finally, flush the toilet to rinse away the vinegar and baking soda solution.

Check to see if the stains have been completely removed. If not, repeat the process or gently scrub the residual stains with a wet pumice stone.

In addition to removing yellow stains from your toilet bowl, combining baking soda and vinegar can remove musty odors from your home, clean an acrylic or porcelain tub from the most persistent stains, and much more. 

We recommend the duo in most of our home cleaning tips.

Brown stains

Brown stains in the toilet bowl are due to high concentrations of minerals like iron and calcium in hard water. To clean, pour a liter of undiluted vinegar around the edges of the toilet bowl and leave it to sit for 3 hours. Next, use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl, focusing on the brown stains. Rinse and flush.

• Pour one liter of undiluted vinegar into the toilet bowl. Make sure the vinegar covers the stained area.
• Let the vinegar sit for at least an hour, or preferably overnight. This will give the vinegar enough time to break down the mineral deposits.
• Use a toilet brush to scrub the stained areas, paying extra attention to the brown stains. The vinegar will have loosened the mineral deposits, making them easier to remove.
• Flush the toilet to rinse away the vinegar and the mineral deposits.

Undiluted vinegar is the best option for removing brown stains in a toilet bowl because it contains a higher concentration of acetic acid, which is the active ingredient that dissolves the mineral deposits.

Tips for keeping your toilet bowl clean

Even better than a freshly cleaned toilet bowl is a toilet bowl that actually stays clean. These pro tips can help.

Wash regularly 

Washing your toilet bowl regularly is the best tip for keeping it clean. Make a schedule for cleaning it at least once weekly and add it to your deep cleaning bathroom checklist.

Disinfect with vinegar

Scrub your toilet bowl thoroughly with a cleaner like vinegar to remove stains and disinfect it, paying particular attention to the areas around the rim and under the seat.

Consider toilet bowl cleaner tabs

Consider using a toilet bowl cleaner tablet that releases cleaner each time you flush.

Keep the area dry

Keep the area around the toilet dry to prevent mold buildup.

Toilet bowl cleaning FAQ

Answers to your most commonly asked questions about cleaning toilet bowls.

How do I get my toilet bowl white again?

1. Pour two cups of vinegar into the toilet bowl. 
2. Add a cup of baking soda and let it sit for 30 minutes.
3. Scrub thoroughly with a toilet brush. 
4. Flush to rinse.

Vinegar's acidity breaks down the mineral deposits and disinfects the toilet bowl, while baking soda is a mild abrasive and natural deodorizer.

How often should I clean my toilet?

Make a schedule for cleaning your toilet at least once a week, and add it to your monthly deep cleaning bathroom checklist. Washing your toilet regularly is the best tip for keeping it clean.

How do I clean a ring stain in a toilet bowl?

1. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of borax in the toilet bowl.
2. Pour a cup of vinegar over the borax.
3. Allow the mixture to sit for 20 minutes or longer for stubborn ring stains.
4. Scrub thoroughly with a toilet brush.
5. Flush the toilet to rinse.

Borax is a mild abrasive, while vinegar acidity dissolves mineral deposits and the ring stain.

How do I clean black stains in a toilet bowl?

Black stains form as a result of mold. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizing agent that can bleach and disinfect mold spores.

1. Pour 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes.
2. Scrub thoroughly with your toilet brush.
3. If the stain persists, sprinkle some baking soda and scrub again.

How do I clean yellow stains in a toilet bowl?

If you use hard water or leave urine in the toilet bowl for a long time, yellow stains will accumulate. To clean it, pour two cups of vinegar into the toilet bowl. Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda over the vinegar. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, scrub thoroughly with a toilet brush. Flush and rinse.

How do I clean brown stains in a toilet bowl?

Iron and calcium minerals in hard water cause brown stains in toilet bowls. Undiluted vinegar's acidity dissolves the mineral deposits.

1. Pour a liter of undiluted vinegar on the stained areas and leave it to sit for 3 hours. 
2. Use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl, focusing on the brown stains. 
3. Rinse and flush.

How do I remove hard water stains from a toilet bowl?

Follow these steps to remove hard water stains from a toilet bowl.

1. Flush the toilet, then sprinkle 1/4 cup of borax on the stained areas.
2. Pour a cup of vinegar over the borax.
3. Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes.
4. Scrub thoroughly with a toilet brush.
5. Flush the toilet to rinse.

The vinegar's acid will break down the hard water stains, so you can easily brush them away.

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