Remove toilet limescale using 17p hack with no scrubbing required
It may seem straightforward to keep a toilet clean by pouring bleach into the bowl, but this potent cleaner won't cut it if you spot discoloured stains on the porcelain. Limescale is a deposit from minerals in hard water, and it clings tightly to surfaces, meaning scrubbing alone won't shift it.
While bleach disinfects and can temporarily whiten limescale stains, it's ineffective at removing the build-up which will continue to harbour bacteria and make a toilet unhygienic.
However, Francesca, a cleaning guru and founder of Thoroughly Modern Grandma, has revealed that banishing limescale stains is a doddle as long as you use citric acid to clean your loo.
Francesca explained: "Once a week; if you don't have hard water this can be less often, just as and when required; give your loo a clean with Citric Acid to remove the mineral / limescale deposits."
Citric acid is a natural compound originally found in lemon juice and other citrus fruits, but a more potent version is available in the cleaning section of most supermarkets.
Limescale is an alkaline stain that only an acidic substance can tackle, and citric acid swiftly breaks it down from a surface, making it much easier to clean, reports the Express.
Not only is it far more effective, but citric acid is also non-toxic, so it's much safer for bathroom cleaning as you won't be inhaling any harmful chemical fumes.
It also tends to be quite affordable as at Tesco and ASDA a 250g box of citric acid costs £1.75. At B&Q citric acid costs £2.25 while at Lakeland a 50g tub costs only 49p.
How to remove toilet stains with citric acid
To begin, pour a jug of warm water from the tap down the toilet bowl, then add 400g of citric acid. Do not pour boiling hot water from the kettle into your toilet as you risk cracking the bowl.
Then, allow the solution to sit in your toilet as you need to give the citric acid solution time to break down the stains. Leave it for at least an hour but for best result leave it overnight.
When you are ready, gently scrub the toilet with a brush, flush it, and all the stains should be gone.
Limescale takes time to build up so if you live in a hard water area, particularly in the South East of England, then use citric acid on your toilet once a week to stop stains appearing in the future.
If you reside in a soft water area like Northern England, Scotland and Wales, then it is best to use citric acid roughly a month to keep limescale at bay.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scots householders advised to keep windows and doors closed from Thursday morning
Experts believe it is 'extremely beneficial' to keep windows and doors closed during certain hours of the day. Householders across Britain are being advised to keep their windows and doors closed between 10am and 3pm on Thursday, July 10, as the weather heats up. On Wednesday, temperatures across Scotland are set to rise, creeping up towards Met Office heatwave criteria. In the UK, a heatwave officially takes place when a location records at least three days in a row with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold. This varies across the UK. Temperatures are not the only thing creeping up, pollen levels are also set to rise, with the Met Office forecasting "high" levels for almost the entire UK on Thursday. Pollen levels will worsen still on Friday, July 11, with "very high" alerts extending to some parts of the UK. As such, UK households are being urged to take preventative measures to minimise hay fever symptoms this week by keeping windows and doors shut at key times of the day, reports the Express. Hay fever symptoms, which include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes and headaches, are typically worse between late March and September, especially if the weather is warm, humid and windy. As there is no cure for hay fever, experts recommend shutting windows and doors when pollen levels are high as this prevents pollen particles from blowing into your home and clinging to your furnishings, which can then make symptoms worse. Pollen is sticky and can cling to your clothes, hair and skin when you're outside, so if you leave your doors and windows open during the day, you're essentially inviting pollen inside. While NHS advice recommends keeping windows and doors shut 'as much as possible', if you are keen to let a bit of fresh air into your home during the warmer weather, then you should try to limit this to either early morning or late evening, when pollen levels are past their peak. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Glen Peskett, DIY expert at Saxton Blades, says it's important for sufferers to allergy-proof their home and urges households to shut windows and doors between 10am and 3pm - particularly if it's windy - as this is when the pollen count is usually at its highest, so you'll be maximising your exposure during these hours. He said: 'It's important to get fresh air, and when the weather begins to improve, it's even more tempting to open your home up to the warmer elements. "However, during peak pollen times - usually between 10 am and 3 pm, and on windy days - it's extremely beneficial to keep your windows and doors shut. This is especially important in bedrooms, where you want to breathe easy at night.'
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Woman's skin 'trapped in vicious cycle' after extreme reaction to common cream
Francesca Tebbutt, 33, from Clunderwen in Wales, spent years unaware of what was causing the condition that left her feeling like her 'skin was constantly on fire' A woman's small rash snowballed into burning, flaking and weeping skin after she was repeatedly prescribed stronger doses of a commonly-used cream. Francesca Tebbutt, 33, says her skin is ''constantly on fire'' because of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). She first noticed itchy, red marks on her arm in 2023 - and sought medical advice when they didn't seem to go away. Her GP believed she was suffering from psoriasis or eczema and prescribed her topical steroid creams, to be applied for a couple of weeks at a time. The breakout disappeared quickly - but returned and spread, only for her to be prescribed stronger steroid creams. Francesca decided to stop the medication and see what happened but her skin began to burn, itch, and flake even more. For 18 months, the Pilates instructor from Clunderwen in Wales desperately sought information on her condition. Her skin now suffers burning, flaking, weeping, and swelling without warning. At her worst, even moving her arms, putting on clothes, or stepping into the shower becomes unbearable. Each time the steroids would clear the rash, but come back multiplied and more aggressive. She said: "It all began in March 2023, when I got a few little round, red dots on the inside of my left elbow," said Francesca. "They were a little bit itchy, little bit irritated - so when they didn't go away, I went to the doctors in May 2023, and that's when the doctor said it looked like it's psoriasis or eczema. He prescribed me steroids straight away for it. "I used the topical steroids, and it did go - but then maybe a month later, it came back and it spread. I went back and I was prescribed stronger steroids, and and this went on for the rest of 2023, on and off. "Every time I used them, it would go but then it would come back worse, and it would keep spreading. I was trapped in this vicious cycle: steroid cream, temporary relief, then a flare worse than before.'' In January 2024, after a year of using topical steroid creams and following her prescription instructions, she decided to stop - but her skin began to itch and swell. After a trip to A&E, Francesca was told by doctors that they were unsure what was causing the condition - but prescribed more steroids. This flare-up lasted months before fading, but again, when stopping the use of steroid creams, returned with a vengeance. Francesca says the constant pain was "unbearable," and after the patches spread to her face, she was once again prescribed more steroid creams by doctors. "I couldn't relax - I was so uncomfortable in my own skin, and there was no comfort anywhere, apart from in a bath, because my skin was so bad," she said. "I was constantly burning, but I was also really, really cold at the same time. I'd have ice packs on my arms where it would be burning, and then a hot water bottle on my belly to try and keep me warm. My partner couldn't sleep in the same bed as me for months because I had to keep moving and keep putting ice packs in places to stop the burning. "After a few months of the steroids, things started to calm down - I wasn't as inflamed, but you could still see these almost red sleeves that cut off at the wrist. "I started to get some patches around my lips, and I went to the doctor, and they advised me to put some steroid cream around my lips, so I did as I was told, thinking this will be the end of it." After stopping a course of steroid cream in late 2024, her condition worsened again - with the skin on her face tightening and causing pain when she tried to eat, talk, or drink. "Within three to four weeks, my face started to erupt. It started with a burning sensation, then it started to get all these little bubbles over it. They developed into this big red mass. I looked like my face had been in a fire, like I was burnt. I couldn't move my lips. Eating actually became very difficult. I remember, I used to eat an apple a day - but I couldn't open my mouth wide enough to eat an apple." Feeling like her life had been taken over by research into skin conditions, Francesca felt like she was at breaking point. In January this year, her research led her to an organisation spreading awareness of Topical Steroid Withdrawal - a condition that can occur after stopping high doses of steroids, and results in itchy, peeling skin. Despite being estimated to affect 15% of steroid users, she says she was never warned about the risks, and believes the regular use of steroid creams has worsened her condition. Francesca discovered Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) Therapy - a non-invasive therapy that reduces inflammation, kills harmful bacteria, and helps restore the skin barrier. She received a diagnosis of TSW after a consultation with a clinic offering the treatment - which is only available privately. Desperate to return to normalcy, Francesca posted a video online, describing her experience with TSW - and launched a fundraiser to help get her life back. Thankfully, within days, Francesca had received outpourings of support - and has been able to undergo the first three sessions of CAP treatments, after which she says she has already noticed improvements. The fundraiser has not only allowed her to pay for treatments, but to afford things like new bandages to protect her irritated skin in between sessions, which she says has been a "huge relief." The support has been overwhelming - and she has become determined to share her own story, to avoid anyone else feeling alone while suffering from TSW. I just cannot believe how generous people have been and are being for me - I am lost for words," she said. A link to the fundraiser can be found here: Donate to Help me Heal TSW with CAP Therapy.
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Wales Online
Anyone who drinks tea urged to 'reconsider' for grim reason
Anyone who drinks tea urged to 'reconsider' for grim reason Health expert Dr Eric Berg DC has revealed why making a tea with plastic tea bags should be avoided If you're concerned, consider using loose-leaf tea or switching to tea bags made from natural material (Image: Getty ) Tea drinkers are being prompted to 'reconsider' their tea-drinking habits, especially those partial to a brew using tea bags. Health expert Dr Eric Berg, DC, issued this warning, suggesting opting for paper bags or loose tea leaves in his video "Critical: detoxify your brain from microplastics." Dr Berg's video delves into the potential risks posed by everyday items due to their plastic content. He specifically calls out tea bags as culprits for introducing microplastics and nanoplastics into your cuppa, which could lead to health complications if consumed regularly. The concern primarily targets tea bags made with plastic or those that use plastic sealants. The long-term ingestion of these tiny plastic particles may lead to compromised gut health and a weakened immune system. Fortunately, there's a silver lining, reports the Express. Many brands now offer plastic-free alternatives, such as paper bags with compostable bioplastics or organic cotton. At the beginning of his video, Dr Berg said: "Today I'm going to discuss a very important topic: how to detoxify the plastic out of your brain microplastics." He continues to highlight the severity of the issue by noting: "The brain accumulates the most microplastics of all of the organs. The brain accumulates seven to 30 times more microplastics than the liver and the kidneys." Article continues below Dr Berg, a nutritionist, researcher and chiropractic doctor renowned for his expertise in diet and weight loss, is affectionately dubbed The Knowledge Doc. He's penned titles such as The 7 Principles of Fat Burning and The Healthy Keto Plan, and regularly imparts health wisdom online, including on his YouTube channel. He has raised concerns about the dangers of 'forever' chemicals present in some plastic food and drink containers, highlighting their potential to harm our health. Dr Berg cautioned: "They can bind with proteins in your blood, creating problems as they bioaccumulate in the body over time." While research on the health effects of ingesting microplastics is ongoing, some studies suggest potential risks, including cellular damage and disruption of the endocrine system. Citing research from the University of New Mexico, Dr Berg pointed out that the average human brain contains about seven grams of microplastics, a staggering 50% increase from findings in 2016. What does the research indicate? When it comes to tea bags, Dr Berg recommends steering clear of those containing plastic due to their possible toxic effects. He advocates for "natural tea bags without plastic," echoing findings from the American Chemical Society that revealed plastic teabags can leach billions of tiny particles into your cuppa. Research by scholars at McGill University discovered that a single plastic tea bag might release up to 11.6 billion microplastic and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles into a mug of tea. While the complete impact of these particles on our health is yet to be fully understood, it's clear that consuming plastic is not conducive to good health. A single plastic tea bag might release up to 11.6 billion microplastic (Image: Willie B. Thomas via Getty Images ) The particles originate from polypropylene, a common material used by numerous manufacturers to seal tea bags. Recent research has found that these microplastics are often present in various food and beverage products, including bottled water, but tea bags have been shown to release quantities thousands of times higher than other sources. Are loose tea leaves better than tea bags? When it comes to the question of whether loose tea leaves are superior to tea bags, there are several factors to consider. Loose leaf tea tends to retain more of its essential oils and nutrients, which could lead to greater antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It also offers a wider range of flavours and varieties for enthusiasts to explore, including unique regional and herbal blends. Loose leaf tea is generally more environmentally friendly as it bypasses the need for packaging associated with tea bags, which may contain plastic or non-biodegradable elements. Tea bags, on the other hand, provide a quick and convenient method for brewing tea without requiring additional equipment like a teapot or infuser. While premium tea bags might be pricier, they usually represent a more cost-effective option for daily tea consumption. Some brands offer plastic-free tea bags (Image: Getty ) How can you 'detoxify'? Regarding 'detoxification', one suggestion is that "Fasting for at least 18 hours is one of the best ways to induce autophagy." However, fasting isn't appropriate for everyone, and it's important to consult with a doctor before starting any fasting regimen to ensure it's safe for you. He continued: "Plastics and forever chemicals create oxidative stress in the body, which can be countered with strong antioxidant systems. Foods high in sulfur, such as garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables, can help strengthen your body's antioxidant networks. NAC and milk thistle are great for detoxification." Ways to minimise microplastics in your system: Use a water filter Eliminate plastic cutting boards Avoid dishwasher pods Switch to biodegradable coffee filters Use sea salt from an ancient seabed Avoid plastic baby bottles Use a stainless steel water bottle Use plastic-free sponges Avoid canned food and liquids Use bamboo toothbrushes Use glass Tupperware Avoid plastic dental floss Use 100% organic cotton tampons Opt for completely biodegradable tea bags that are plastic-free, organic, or made from plant-derived materials. Seek out tea bags marked as "free of epichlorohydrin," a chemical that certain manufacturers employ to boost the bags' strength. Article continues below
