How to keep toilet water from staining when left for weeks at a time?

Question

We can only visit our cabin once every 4-6 weeks. When we return the toilets are stained by the mineral water from our well. Is there something I can put in the water to prevent the staining?

The Chirping Frog · Answer

My mom has a condo in Florida that they are only able to get to a handful of times a year. She puts a cup of bleach in the toilet and then covers it with Saran Wrap. Seems to work for mildew and the like, not sure if it'd do any good for well water or not. Maybe try vinegar instead of bleach?

Wanda Arganbright · Answer

Turn off water and empty toilet. Pour 1 gallon vinegar slowly into toilet and close lid. The vinegar will help to take the musty smell out of the cabin and will leave no ring in the toilet. When you are ready to use again, just turn on the water to fill the tank and flush the toilet. Many cabins are on septic systems and you shouldn't use bleach very much. Vinegar is natural, will deter mold and hard water stains. takes odors out of the air and is a naturaly antibacterial.

TinaLouise · Answer

We have the same issue, I usually drop a denture cleaning table into each of the toilets and the next time we come there is no buildup or discoloration. If I don't have any, I've been known to pour a whole can of regular Coke in and shut the lid. Never an issue even when it has been over 90 days. I buy the denture tablets at the dollar store.

Adrianne C · Answer

I use a product called Iron Out. Its a powder and I pour a little in the toilet bowl. Walmart has it in the paint department.

Susan Ives Mitchener · Answer

Chlorine bleach will set rust stains in porcelain. Be careful if you have iron in your water.

Lori Vicknair · Answer

To clean the stain use a pumice stone.

Terri · Answer

I used to live in the country and my well water had alot of minerals and iron! The only thing I found that works like a 'charm' and without alot of scrubbing! Is a product called wink rust stain remover. I would try putting some in the bowl before you leave and see how that does

Diana R · Answer

We had a cabin. Prior to closing up, cleaned and turned the water off to cabin. Would swish toilet w/ Ajax and don't flush. The water was shut off in case of a water leak. That would make your pump continue to work til it burns out(if you have a well). Also you don't want a flooded place when you come to relax.Even our Insurance agent suggested this. Bleach in a septic system will kill the good bacteria to keep the system from working properly. Use the vinegar instead of Bleach.

Ely Summers · Answer

Empty the toilet by turning off the water valve and flushing. Then add RV winterizer. You can find it in hardware, big box stores or campgrounds. It's non toxic, and won't freeze. When you return just turn the water valve back on and flush it away. No worries ever.

Anita · Answer

I like Wanda 's  vinegar tip best  No chemical it's natural and I'll bet it does work well .

B. Enne · Answer

I use a dishwasher pouch/tablet. Just make sure you flush before using the toilet.

Sherrie · Answer

Use The Works Toilet Bowl Cleaner, leave the lid up.  The Works has muratic acid in it,  closing the lid I have noticed even on home owners I clean for it gets worse faster.  It makes it moldy also.  It is okay to do when your home, because your using it all the time.  But if your gone for months at a time...you might have to deal with it.

Terrry T · Answer

. Flush and turn off water to stop mineral build up. Lemon juice in bowl before leaving. About a cup swished around bowl.

Sue · Answer

Press N Seal works better, it sticks when plastic wrap sometimes comes loose.

How to keep toilet water from staining when left for weeks at a time?

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How to keep toilet water from staining when left for weeks at a time?

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