Toilet is a place that you use multiple times a day. Toilet hygiene is something of great importance and it needs to be kept the cleanest at all times. Stained yellow toilet bowl is something unpleasant to watch. Also, if you have a guest, then the situation can be quite embarrassing. Several reasons can culminate in such a situation. Some of which are pee, mineral deposits, tannins, aging toilet seats, etc. In such cases, your toilet bowl may need a thorough cleaning. Also, yellow stains in toilet bowl are not something unavoidable. With proper care, you can prevent the situation of yellow stains showing up in your toilet bowl. In this article, we will see what causes yellow stains in toilet bowl and how we can tackle the situation. We will also see methods to prevent the occurrence of such a situation.
Table of Contents
Causes of yellow stains in toilet bowl
There are several causes of yellow stains showing up in your toilet bowl. Identifying the cause is the prime step in having the best solution to tackle the problem. So if you notice your toilet bowl showing color change and starting to develop a yellow tinge, then you need to look for the possible causes first. Some of the possible causes of yellow stains in toilet bowl are:
Urine
Yes, urine can cause yellow stains in the toilet bowl! Urine itself can be the most common cause of yellow stains in the toilet bowl. This is caused mainly due to negligence or lack of maintenance. Exposure of the toilet bowl to urine for extended periods is bound to cause yellow stains. It is the pigment urochrome or urobilin which is present in urine that makes it look yellow. When urine is left on the toilet seat or toilet bowl without being cleaned off, it causes these yellow stains. If you fail to act quickly, the stain becomes harder. Also, the color of the stain gets intense due to the oxidation of urine as it is exposed to air. The situation can get aggravated if the top surface of the toilet material is rough which can make it a lot easier to hold stains.
So you need to keep your toilet clean and ensure that urine stains are not developed. You need to flush the toilet after each use. You can also use automatic toilet cleaner tablets which will act with each flush of the toilet to maintain a stain-free toilet bowl.
Hard Water
If you are somebody who keeps good toilet hygiene by flushing the toilet each time you use it or by regularly cleaning the toilet and yet you get to see the discoloration in the toilet bowl, then possibly there is some other underlying cause of the trouble. In such cases, here is chance that the reason for yellow stains showing up is due to the hard water in the area and specifically the limescale formation caused by the hard water.
As you might be aware, hard water is rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium. As hard water evaporates, it is the limescale that is left with the toilet bowl. Over a period of time, this accumulation becomes visible inside your toilet bowl in the form of yellow stains. The yellow stains caused by hard water will have a much harder structure in comparison to the yellow stains caused by urine accumulation, making it easier to differentiate between the two.
If left unmanaged, the yellow stains caused by hard water can even accumulate in the pipes resulting in clogging of the toilet. So you need to properly monitor any such stain build up due to hard water and act quickly by destroying it to prevent any further build up. Such stains are also difficult to clean. You may need stronger cleaning agents preferably with acidic components as lime is basic in nature.
Sunlight/ UV Related Discoloration
Exposure to the Sun can also be a cause of yellow stains in your toilet. This is a gradual process that can fade the toilet or result in the formation of yellow hues over time. This has nothing to do with how well you clean or maintain the toilet.
The phenomenon affects the toilet seats the most. This is because; it is the toilet seat that is most likely to be exposed to the Sun rays in the first place. Also, the bowl is likely to be made of sturdier materials while the toilet seat in most cases is made of plastic, which is more likely to be affected by such UV based discoloration.
Age
If the toilet is not exposed to direct sunlight, there is still chance that the toilet may get stained and shown yellow hues. This can be attributed to aging. As toilets age, the materials may fade giving yellow stained appearance. Even in such situation you can’t do much to tackle the problem or prevent it from occurring.
Preventing the Yellow Stains in Toilet Bowl
As prevention is better than cure, you can firstly try your best to ensure that the toilet bowl does not get stained. For this, you need to keep the toilet clean at all times. After each use, flush and ensure that no splashes of urine are left with the toilet bowl or the toilet seat. This will prevent the problem of yellow stains due to urine from occurring. Limescale deposits need to be brought under control from the starting phase itself. Clean these deposits so that they do not lead to stubborn stains later on. Toilet bowl stains due to ageing and sunlight exposure is hard to prevent. Curtains can curb direct sunlight from falling into the toilet bowl. If possible, you can give this method a try. Also, try investing in materials that offer maximum durability.
Removing Yellow Stains from Toilet Bowl
Precautions:
Follow these safety steps so that you do not end up damaging the toilet bowl.
- Wear rubber gloves when removing stains from a toilet. This will prevent getting any nasty bacteria on your hands, and it will also protect your skin from the substances that you use for cleaning up the stains.
- Don’t use a stiff brush to scrub off and clean the toilet bowl. It can be abrasive in nature. This may lead to scratches in you toilet bowl.
- When using chemicals, never forget to make way for proper ventilation so as to avoid harmful fumes.
If your toilet bowl or toilet seat start showing up yellow satins, then you can get it removed by following any one of the following methods.
Removing Yellow Stains Using Vinegar
Vinegar (chemically acetic acid) which is mostly found in all households can serve the purpose of cleaning up the yellow stains. The method is quite simple and inexpensive. The approach is also environment friendly. The method works well for light to moderate yellow stains.
Things you need:
- White vinegar
- Spray dispenser
- Cloth or toilet brush or Sponge
Steps Involved In Removing Yellow Stains From Toilet Bowl Using Vinegar
- Pour vinegar into a spray dispenser, which makes it easy to apply it to the stained area of the toilet bowl. In case the yellow stains appear under the water, you need to remove the water in the toilet bowl first and then spray vinegar onto the stain.
- You need to leave the toilet bowl as such for about half an hour or so for the reaction to take place.
- You can then clean the area using a toilet brush or sponge or even a piece of cloth and then rinse off. This should make a difference
- You can also repeat the process another 2 or 3 times as per need.
Removing Yellow Stains using Baking Soda
You can also use another common kitchen ingredient, baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) to clean up the yellow toilet stains. This method is also effective and inexpensive at the same time.
Things you need:
- Bicarbonate of soda
- Cup or mug
- Water
- Cloth or toilet brush or sponge
- Wooden spoon
Steps Involved in Removing Yellow Stains from Toilet Bowl using Baking Soda
- First of all, you need to make a paste of baking soda and water. In a cup or mug, add baking soda and water in the ratio 2:1. Mix up the components to form a paste.
- You can apply the paste on to the stained area using your fingers or using a wooden spoon for a better hygienic approach. If stain is below the water level in the toilet bowl, you need to remove water from the toilet bowl.
- Leave the toilet bowl with the paste on the stained area for about half an hour or so. This will make way for the paste to have its effect on the stains.
- You need to clean off the toilet bowl with toilet brush or sponge. You can even use a piece of cloth and rinse off. There should be some improvement.
- If necessary you can repeat the procedure twice or thrice to achieve the best results.
Removing Yellow Stains using Mixture of Baking Soda and Vinegar
You can also try using a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda to clean the stained area. You can use white vinegar and baking soda in the ratio of 2:1.
Things you may need:
- Baking Soda
- White Vinegar
- Wooden spoon
- Toilet brush or sponge or cloth
Steps Involved in Removing Yellow Stains from Toilet Bowl using Baking Soda and Vinegar
- Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar in the ratio 2:1.
- You can apply the paste on to the stained area using your fingers or using a wooden spoon for a better hygienic approach. If stain is below the water level in the toilet bowl, you need to remove water from the toilet bowl.
- Leave the toilet bowl with the paste on the stained area for about half an hour or so. This will make way for the paste to have its effect on the stains.
- You need to clean off the toilet bowl with toilet brush or sponge. You can even use a piece of cloth and rinse off. There should be some improvement.
- If necessary you can repeat the procedure twice or thrice to achieve the best results.
Removing Yellow Stains using Lemon Juice and Essential Oils
Using lemon juice and essential oils is a natural way to get your work done. It can be helpful for those who do not want to invest in some chemical products. The method is also affordable. Citric acid in lemon juice can work well against the yellow stains in the toilet bowl. As lemon juice and essential oils leave a pleasant smell, they also work well as a natural air freshener.
Things you may need:
- Cup
- Lemon
- Essential oil
- Toilet bush or sponge or cloth
- Water
Steps Involved in Removing Yellow Stains using Lemon Juice and Essential Oils
- Take a cup and squeeze the juice from one whole lemon into the cup. Add few drops of any essential oil of your choice.
- Apply the solution to the stained area and wait for some time so that it gets effective.
- You can clean off the stains using toilet brush or sponge and rinse off with water to see a difference.
- You can also try repeating the procedure a couple of times if you think it’s needed.
Removing Yellow Stains using Borax Powder
This method works for more stubborn stains. Borax Powder acts as a powerful cleaning agent.
Things you need:
- Borax powder
- Toilet brush
- Water
Step Involved in Removing Yellow Stains using Borax Powder
- Sprinkle Borax powder on to the stained area.
- Brush in gently using toilet brush.
- Leave it for some time to take effect.
- Rinse off with water.
- Repeat the procedure twice or thrice if you think it is needed.
Removing Yellow Stains using Trisodium Phosphate
Similar to Borax Powder, Trisodium Phosphate is another powerful cleansing agent. You can use this method for removing stubborn yellow stains.
Thing you need:
- Trisodium phosphate
- Warm water
- Toilet brush or sponge
- Water
Steps Involved in Removing Yellow Stains using Trisodium Phosphate
- Prepare the solution by mixing one tablespoon of trisodium phosphate in a gallon (4 litres) of warm water.
- You can use this liquid to wash the stained areas. No need to leave the toilet bowl to rest. You can use a toilet brush or sponge to clean the stained areas.
- Rinse it off with water to see the difference.
Removing Yellow Stains using Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach is a powerful cleaning agent which can be used to shift the more stubborn stains. However, be careful as applying heavy dose of undiluted chlorine bleach in itself can cause staining of the toilet bowl. Resort to this method in the worst scenario. Wear gloves and also keep the windows open so that chemical fumes can escape.
Things you need:
- Chlorine Bleach
- Water
- Gloves
- Toilet brush
Steps Involved in Removing Yellow Stains using Chlorine Bleach
- Apply dilute bleach on to the stained area.
- Leave it for about 15 minutes.
- Use a toilet brush and clean the area.
- Rinse off with water to see the effect.
Removing Yellow Stains using Coke
Applying coke is also found to be effective in removing the yellow stains from your toilet bowl. The results may surprise you, so it is worth trying out.
Things you need:
- Coke
- Cloth
- Water
Steps Involved in Removing Yellow Stains using Coke
- Pour some coke over the stained area. You can also soak a cloth in coke and place the damp cloth over the stained area.
- Leave the solution to act for some time.
- Wipe the toilet clean.
Conclusion
The article deals with the culprits behind yellow stains in the toilet bowl. We have seen what causes yellow stains, how we can prevent the situation and also methods to remove yellow stains from toilet bowl. There is an array of inexpensive solutions to tackle the situation. Most of these solutions make use of materials that will be readily available in your household. Understanding the cause of the problem will let you have an easy solution to the problem. You need to gently proceed with care. Never overdo anything or use rough scrubbers to clean up the stains as this can cause permanent damage to the toilet bowl. If needed, you can also use a diluted bleach solution to clean up stains on the toilet seat. Also if you see pink or orange stains in place of yellow stains, then this is caused by bacteria. You can use the above methods to get rid of these pink or orange stains too. Whatever be the stains, you need to act quickly so that they never lead to stubborn stains later on.