Does anyone know how to get rust stains out of a toilet?

Susan Urmey
by Susan Urmey
Bleach does not work.
  39 answers
  • L W F L W F on Dec 11, 2015
    If it is the 'build up' or ring - I put toilet paper on the ring and soak with vinegar for a while then scrub with a very inexpensive nail file (emory board). I cut the board into several pieces so I can use the strength of my finger on it to scrub at the stain/build up. Then toss the file. Very fine sand paper will work too but the rigid bit of emory board works great. Good luck!
  • Annadele Annadele on Dec 11, 2015
    Remove water from bowl as much as possible. Take a lemon. Cut in half. Sprinkle liberally with salt. Scrub. Repeat as needed.
  • Heidi Smith Heidi Smith on Dec 11, 2015
    CLR is really good for rust stains. Pour it in swish it around and let it sit for as long as you can. Scrub well and it should take away the rust.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 11, 2015
    You can try Zud or bar keepers friend.
  • Janice myers Janice myers on Dec 11, 2015
    can of coke will amaze you!!! Drop three polident tablets and let soak
  • Kelly Anderson Kelly Anderson on Dec 11, 2015
    all the suggestions given are great because I have tried all. I also would try removing as much water as possible, pour in a kettle of boiling hot water, add 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar and let it sit at least 1 hour. Scrub well with toilet brush and it should be gone. Also, someone told me Polident denture tablets work but I have never tried it. good luck!
  • MaryJane MaryJane on Dec 11, 2015
    I have had this problem for years and have used everything under the sun. Our water is hard and rich with iron. What I love for easiest and what works is LYSOL BLACK LABEL toilet bowl cleaner. I squirt it on before bed and flush in the morning. Like magic all stains are gone. Really it is the best out there as far as I have found.
  • Darla Brown Darla Brown on Dec 11, 2015
    Go to your local dollar store and get an item called scouring stick ans a pair of thick rubber gloves. . Use the stick like an eraser
  • Nell Morris Nell Morris on Dec 11, 2015
    I sold cleaning products for a manufacturer for 14 years. We have very hard water in our area, lots of lime and rust. The fastest easiest product to use is an acid. Locally for you , that would mean a product called WORKS at your local dollar store, it is the one in the white and blue bottle with curved top { to get under your rim} and a squeeze type lid. The one in the green bottle is milder acid and made for showers and sinks. It is an acid , so take care not to spill it on anything like floors or counter tops, and if it gets on your hands rinse with lots of water immediately.
  • Annette_noble Annette_noble on Dec 11, 2015
    I had the same problem and solved it by putting a gallon of white vinegar in the bowl before I went to work, and when I got home I just brushed the rust stains away. It was amazing. I did the same thing with the rust stains in the bath tub. I used two gallons o white vinegar and filled the tub with cold water and let it sit. We have really hard water and line and rust in this area too.
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Dec 23, 2015
      @Annette_noble this works well. I've never had to use a whole gallon, but my toilets are low flow, so less water in the bowl.
  • Diane Diane on Dec 11, 2015
    I agree with Nell, "The Works" works really well and its cheap!
  • Angela Angela on Dec 12, 2015
    I'm not sure if this will work for you but I use a pumice stone..use it to rub off whatever you don't want. Works great. I'm going to give "The Works" a try too!
  • Jud1016678 Jud1016678 on Dec 12, 2015
    My Son-in-LAW uses Oven Cleaner! It worked!
    • Trac Trac on Dec 12, 2015
      @Judysbolick I would twice about the environment and oven cleaner. Just not safe to add to our water systems. Just sayin.....
  • Ruth Scarbrough Ruth Scarbrough on Dec 12, 2015
    I used The Works from Family Dollar, got as much water out as I could and poured the works and let set overnight, worked great!
  • Jane Nelson Jane Nelson on Dec 12, 2015
    a couple of steredent tablets over night works well
  • Ruth Rowe Ruth Rowe on Dec 12, 2015
    I tried everything on my toilet but the thing I found the best was the pumice stone. It did wonders & it only took seconds. Easy............
  • Carol Carol on Dec 12, 2015
    Pumice stone was the only thing that worked for me!
  • Trac Trac on Dec 12, 2015
    I used Listerine. Just a cup straight into the bowl. I swooshed it around and then let is sit for a hour, swooshed again and the rush was all gone! I did the same for the sink that had major rust stains as we inherited a home that is 60 yrs old with and original bathroom. All shiny and bright now.
  • Patti Patti on Dec 12, 2015
    There is a product called Whink (in a brown bottle). Be very careful with it, it will take color out of things you think are permanently colored and it is really rough on skin. You will probably need to get all the water out of the way first and try a small spot to see if you like the results before doing the whole thing. Please be very careful with this product, but it does work. Barkeepers Friend is more user friendly and takes rust stains out of my kitchen sink. It comes in liquid or powder and is readily available.
  • Elizabeth Dion Elizabeth Dion on Dec 12, 2015
    I have always poured a can of regular Coca Cola in. Works wonders!
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Dec 12, 2015
    I have used baking soda and vinegar and a Magic Eraser. Flush your toilet and then scoop out enough water do the level is below the rust line. Make a thick paste of baking soda and lay it on the rust stain. Scrub with the Magic Eraser and then dump in two or three cups of white vinegar. Let it foam and then flush.
  • Kathleen C Kathleen C on Dec 12, 2015
    I have well water so I get those orange rust stains. For roughly $10.00 there is a product called Iron Out. It's made specifically for rust. They sell it at Home Depot and I think Walmart. It works excellent. Just sprinkle a little in the toilet and let it sit there for as long as you can, then use your toilet brush. Easy, done.
  • Lori Johansen Lori Johansen on Dec 12, 2015
    Pumie! Works great and it's available via Amazon, Lowe's, etc... http://www.amazon.com/Pumie-Toilet-Bowl-Remover-TBR-6/dp/B000BPRDCW
  • Lori Johansen Lori Johansen on Dec 12, 2015
    For about $0.50, you can simply use half a lemon and salt.
  • Connie Connie on Dec 12, 2015
    Try epsom salt and vinegar.
  • Diane Edwards Diane Edwards on Dec 12, 2015
    I have used Iron out as well. works great
  • Ginger the farm gal Ginger the farm gal on Dec 12, 2015
    empty water out and soak with coke-cola overnight
  • Jack Jack on Dec 12, 2015
    Empty water and scrub with comet cleanser
  • Cheryl Smith Cheryl Smith on Dec 12, 2015
    empty as much water out by muratic acid paint dept wear rubber gloves mask pour around let sit scrub takes off the shale and any stains looks like new
  • Pdq1224294 Pdq1224294 on Dec 12, 2015
    Whisk brand Rust Stain Remover in brown bottle sold at Walmart (somewhere in cleaning supplies)
  • Sandy Sandy on Dec 12, 2015
    CLR let it soak overnite.
  • Lanita Kay Geraci Lanita Kay Geraci on Dec 13, 2015
    I've been a housekeeper for 18 years. I use bar keepers friend and if it still isn't removed, use a pumice toilet cleaning stone.
  • Syb Syb on Dec 13, 2015
    Always had great luck with Zud, now having trouble finding it in the store - prefer the powder version.
  • Nanette Nanette on Dec 14, 2015
    Pumice toilet cleaning stone - works like a charm!
  • Janice myers Janice myers on Dec 15, 2015
    have you tried any of these ideas and has anything work???? let s know
  • Marylou Murdock Marylou Murdock on Dec 15, 2015
    coke, they say takes away rust never tried it though
  • Marylou Smith Yost Marylou Smith Yost on Dec 19, 2015
    cokeacola will do it and inside is not really rust..........out side by screws might be and it works there also
  • Susan Urmey Susan Urmey on Dec 23, 2015
    The pumous purchased at HomeDepot did the job---thanks!!!!