Tip: Get rid of the dreaded ring in the toilet!

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Easy Peasy to get rid of! Next time you visit your local Dollar store - pick up a pumice stone ( normally used on your feet to remove unsightly rough skin ) Be sure to have your cleaning gloves ready. Gently rub the pumice stone on the ring around the bowl - may take a few minutes of working at it but it does work and no harsh chemicals 😀

(re: Cleaning tips challenge-http://www.hometalk.com/diy/e-cleaning-tips-challenge-26729461)

q the dreaded ring in the toilet, bathroom ideas

42 answers

Hillela G. on Jan 15, 2017

I hate those rings!!! I'm trying this for sure!!Thank you!

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- Debbie Dees on Jan 16, 2017
  
  I have used the pumice stone myself, it works great!
  
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- Renee on Jan 01, 2018
  
  After you get the bowl clean, add a cup of rock salt, makes the water soft and no ring!
  
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Teri LaRocque on Jan 15, 2017

I am also trying this! Thank you so much!

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Fer12175055 on Jan 15, 2017

I used a razor blade to scrape the ring. but it creates scratches that need bleach later, Does the pumice create the same scratches?

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- See 3 previous
- Teresa Seeger-Gesser on Jan 16, 2017
  
  I have never had any scratches - just take your time and work at it! It works!
  
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- Allison Fredrickson on Jan 16, 2017
  
  Soak the pumice stone a bit before using so it's softened some
  
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- Beth Anne Stork on Nov 10, 2017
  
  nope!
  
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- Sandy on Feb 19, 2018
  
  Yes, it can scratch.. Its an old tip and I don't use it anymore. No matter how careful you are.. the black scratches are not worth the ring.. Use some Borax in toilet and let it sit..then use an old tooth brush or toilet brush.. Hard water .. need to clean the toilet at least 2-3x's a week..
  
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Ellen Fandrich on Jan 15, 2017

I've used a pumice stone for the toilet ring for at least 25 years and never had an issue with scratching the china bowl.

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NancyandCalvin Remp on Jan 16, 2017

The inside of my tank is stained from hard water would it work on it?

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- Pamela on Jan 16, 2017
  
  Have you tried vinegar? Once a year I empty the tanks, top & bottom by turning off the water, flushing, hold the handle down, all the water will empty out of the top. The bowl can be emptied with a round bowl brush, or plunger. Pour in desired amount of vinegar, I use 2 gallons or so. Let it sit, if mineral buildup is bad use a brush or pumice to loosen and dissolve. If you add some baking soda after the soak, it will help clean and deodorize. The bonus is it also helps to unclog drain crud. Flush, then pour 4-5 gallons of very hot water down the bowl.
  
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- Dee on Jan 16, 2017
  
  Do not use vinegar inside your toilet tank it will break down any rubber parts. And if it is a new toilet it voids the warranty. Use a vinegar and dawn spray inside the bowl.
  
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- Pamela on Jan 17, 2017
  
  I believe that it is not new, thus the buildup of minerals. Prior to moving to northeast Indiana, never had the volume of mineral buildup. When we moved in, the deposits were thick even on the plastic parts, cleaned as stated. Still using same internal parts in tank, no leaks indicating any breakdown of plastics or rubber yet, that was 8 years ago.
  
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Carol White Hearne on Jan 16, 2017

What a great idea!

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Lorlq on Jan 16, 2017

wouldn't the pumice damage the porcelain or china wear it away???

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- See 1 previous
- Teresa Seeger-Gesser on Jan 16, 2017
  
  I have been using it for years and never had an issue. Take your time 😉
  
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- Barbara Ried on Jun 06, 2017
  
  YES!!
  
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Jerri on Jan 16, 2017

i use vinegar it works for me

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- Elsa on Jan 18, 2017
  
  Vinegar together with liquid dish soap will get it ALL out. My finishing touch is all purpose purple Awesome liquid from the dollar store to make everything smell soooo good.
  
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- Joanie on Feb 20, 2017
  
  Use what works for you!!
  
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Marilyn on Jan 16, 2017

if you can take the smell bleach works great also. just raise the water level above the line of buildup and add a cup of bleach and let it soak. ive also used the pumice but found it scratched a bit. .

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- DeAnna NevinsDean on Apr 06, 2017
  
  I agree with the scratching! I used pumice on a new toilet, less than 6 months old, and now you can see all the scratching even when it is clean. I will never use pumice on anything but my feet!
  
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- Lad21822954 on Jan 01, 2018
  
  How does one "raise the water level..." in these new water-saving toilets?
  
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Donna Avery on Jan 17, 2017

I use a product called Bar Keepers Friend. It works great on the toilet ring and many other areas as well.

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- Teresa Seeger-Gesser on Jan 18, 2017
  
  I've used as well !
  
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- Pam Davis on Jan 20, 2017
  
  Bar Keepers Friend is a wonderful product! Made my cleaning my stainless steel pots & pans so easy with it. Many uses for it.
  For the ring in toilet, I pour in some bleach and let it stand for a few minutes. Ring gone without me putting my hands in there at all.
  
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- Linda Bodenbach on Mar 27, 2017
  
  where do you get bar tenders friend
  
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- DeAnna NevinsDean on Apr 06, 2017
  
  You can find it in the cleaning section of grocery store or Walmart or Target. It works well it is less abrasive than other cleansers, so it doesn't leave scratch marks on soft surfaces .
  
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- 27228081 on Jan 01, 2018
  
  Bon Ami is the same as Bar Keepers Friend. They both work wonders on Stainless Steel pots and pans as well as the ring in the toilet bowl.
  
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Leslie Mavis Oniki on Jan 17, 2017

Pumice stone should not scratch. I've used this as well as a piece of old brick. They're both abrasive but softer than the toilet bowl.

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- Joanie on Jan 25, 2017
  
  I use the Pumice stone and it is a life saver. NO scratchin', just good cleaning. Removes the ring for sure!!! 5 thumbs up!!
  
  Helpful Unapproved!
Pam Obrecht on Jan 17, 2017

It won't scratch the porcelain bowl??
Seems as though it would~

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- Suzann on Jan 19, 2017
  
  Yes it does so you need to be careful with it's use. Try other solutions first and use this only as a last resort.
  
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- Joanie on Feb 20, 2017
  
  NO, NO, NO!! I HAVE to disagree with you!! Don't lead people in the wrong direction.......With Porcelain toilets, people have used this Pumice stone for years and years. I have used it and it is a cleaner that WILL NOT scratch and does the trick.........CLEANS!!
  
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- DeAnna NevinsDean on Apr 06, 2017
  
  It does scratch! And it takes the shine off. I ruined a brand new toilet using one.
  
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- Mimi on Jan 02, 2018
  
  i think there may be different grades of pumice. The one I use on my feet seems more coarse. I found Pumie Scouring Stick at Walmart. Totally removes toilet rings without scratching. It wears itself out as it's used by wearing off the softer pumice surface. Mine has lasted for years but has diminished in size.
  
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- Eroque022810 on Feb 18, 2018
  
  So although on older toilets it works grest on a new toilet it might I just wonder if toilets now are not made of the same quality as the older models,like everything now a days that they expect you to replace within ten years. Before high quality was used but companies lost money because people didn't have to replace items as often,just a thought.
  
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Anke Dul-van Dooren on Jan 18, 2017

hot boiled water and vinager is the way for me.

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- Joanne Kamiya on Jul 11, 2017
  
  My plumber says that hot boiled water will melt the wax seal " but you can do it if you want to keep me busy."
  
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Connie Marse on Jan 18, 2017

Any ideas for removing copper stains from the toilet bowl? Will the pumice stone work on those?

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Teresa Seeger-Gesser on Jan 18, 2017

Connie - I would try Lime Away or CLR. Good luck!

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Jerri on Jan 19, 2017

CLR and lime away are great but when u have sepice tanks it's an issue u have to check and see if it's safe for sepice use

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Wendy Elias on Jan 19, 2017

You can use CLR and Lime-A-Way on your toilets and showers, but you have to be diligent about replacing and creating the right bacteria in your septic system. One good way is to flush a can of cat or dog food at LEAST once a month to help create the good bacteria that keeps our septic systems and drain fields in good working order

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- Bob20943596 on Feb 27, 2017
  
  We have hard water here and I have found a great way to eliminate the hard water ring. First get rid of the hard water ring which ever way you can and then to keep it off here is what worked for me..About three to four times a week I squirt a squirt of soap, preferable Dawn Dish Soap , but any soap[ seems to work, swish around and do not flush. Let the next user flush. This keeps the bowl clean from the hard water ring forever... With this method I have never had a ring in my two toilets ever again....
  
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- Up231690477 on Dec 08, 2017
  
  bobnlakota...is that instead of the rid x or with using the RidX?
  
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- Ron Wilson on Nov 13, 2019
  
  It states on the label of CLR is safe for septic. It is in very small print near the bottom. I still don't trust it!
  
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Jerri on Jan 19, 2017

True but good bacteria for septic tank I use one pkg. Yeast every once a month just pour in your toilet and flush

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- Up231690477 on Dec 08, 2017
  
  one pkg of what?
  
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- Jerri on Dec 08, 2017
  
  Yeast
  
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Sandpiper@access comments. ca on Jan 20, 2017

Just add a 500 ml. bottle of coke to your bowl.

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- Teresa Seeger-Gesser on Jan 21, 2017
  
  Will try !
  
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Cheryl on Feb 19, 2017

I've only used bleàch. One day my curiosity got the best of me and I tried the can of Coke. Guess what? It worked.

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Yvonne on Feb 19, 2017

I tried a pumice stone and got black scratch marks which will not come off. Bleach, scouring powder, CLR.....nothing works.

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- DB on Mar 13, 2017
  
  Try Magic Eraser or Bar Keepers Friend on the black marks. As for the original ring I usually just use a a nylon srubbie with baking soda. The Coke thing really does work-- but I stopped drinkingnking Coke so don't usually have it around. ( If it cleans your toilet so well , just imagine what it does to your teeth) If I have a potluck and somebody brings the stuff over and leaves it- guess where the unopened cans get stored??? Good luck with the black marks.
  
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- Jo on Mar 25, 2017
  
  Sounds like you didn't finish removing the 'ring'; the black marks are from scrubbing with the pumice . Rinse & keep scrubbing until the ring is gone, those black marks will be gone too. Wet the end of the stone when you start to use it, use some pressure, you won't scratch the surface.
  
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- Barbara Ried on Jun 06, 2017
  
  OH YES, YOU WILL SCRATCH!!!
  
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Sherrie S on Feb 21, 2017

I pour vinegar and then add Bon Ami (doesn't scratch). Let it set for about 15 minutes and brush the bowl. I found adding vinegar to the tank a couple times a year to clear out the gunk made a big difference.

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Gloria Harrell on Feb 21, 2017

I had a blue ring around my toilet and nothing worked.i tried baking soda whitite vinegar,clorox. Comet, bleach line away cor. Nothing worked.then I tried the WORKS.
You. Cannot find it everywhere.i found it at piggy wiggly store. My blue ring is gone as well as calcium and soap scrum build up.it is fantastic

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- Lad20798648 on Jan 02, 2018
  
  It does work great, but, it smells sooooo bad!!!
  
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Wester Potter on Feb 22, 2017

Get a bottle of Vani Sol and make sure you also use it up under the flush ring. Use a scrubber on a handle to get under the lip.

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Sharlyn Waldrop on Feb 25, 2017

Try dawn dish soap. Let set a bit, brush off
You will be amazed

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Irish Pack on Feb 26, 2017

One of the few chemical cleaners I keep on hand is ZEP. I used to have to swish my toilet bowl every day, after using Zep, I only have to swish it every 3 weeks.
other tips can be found here:
https://www.pinterest.com/irishpack/clean-me-bathroom/

Helpful Reply
- Marthann Kohl-Fuhs on Feb 28, 2017
  
  where do you get "ZEP"?
  
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Irish Pack on Feb 28, 2017

WalMart, Lowes or Home Depot. It is an acidic chemical cleaner, but I have never had anything work as well as this does. I have limited my chemical use to Zep and Krud-Cutter--but I think I can phase out Krud Cutter.

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Valencia on Mar 10, 2017

You guys are nice-I use muratic acid

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Judith Giangrandi on Mar 24, 2017

Works great & lasts quite a while

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Lynne on Mar 25, 2017

WalMart sells just the thing (rectangular pumice stone) in the cleaning department for less than $2.00. Works great!

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- Carol Elliott on Mar 26, 2017
  
  At my former home we had well water that contained iron. So, there was not only rings in the toilet from the hard water, but also severe staining. After many years I discovered the product, The Works. That was over 20 years ago and, to this day, it is my best house cleaning solution. It can be purchased at the Dollar Tree stores (for $1) and at other retail stores. I have also used The Works to remove stains in glass containers such as jars, pitchers, vases and even old drinking glasses I use to root my plant cuttings. Of course, none of the items are poris. Any container items I clean with The Works I hand wash in hot soapy water immediately after cleaning. I then rinse with scalding water, and then put them in the dishwasher. If the stains or build up are especially heavy, just soak longer.
  
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San7514277 on Apr 06, 2017

Hello I like this idea but I just want what is e Pumice stone and how is look like
thanks

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Marilyn on Apr 08, 2017

same thing happened to me DeAnna. but the bleach will get rid of the line .

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Gay24239618 on Jun 06, 2017

Try pouring vinegar in the toilet.

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Judy on Jul 11, 2017

I use Clorox cleaner with bleach and a bowl brush.

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Linda on Sep 19, 2017

We ordered a Pumie brush online (can probably purchase at a store) and it worked wonders, I forgot to take a before photo, but I was amazed, my relatively new toilet that had stains looked like a new toilet. I have had to use it one more time as some of the stains were coming back, but very pleased with the product and definitely recommend.

I tried vinegar, Kool Aid, most everything people recommended, but the Pumie stick did the job.

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Donna on Sep 19, 2017

Yes, a pumice stone they work great.

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Olive Greenz on Oct 11, 2017

THIS IS YOUR ANSWER ABOUT TOILET RING. Call Lowe's home store. Order the ACTICLEAN TOILET. It is by American Standard. Tell them you want it installed by them. Buy extra cleaning solutions from them, cheaper. I have told so many people about this toilet. We have had it for seven months. I cleaned the inside once with a swish of the toilet brush. That's it. It does have a kind of loud flush if you have to worry about a light sleeper just on the other side of a thin wall . I could kiss whoever came up with this toilet. I never have to be worried about being embarrassed. It is always spotless. And here's another tip. Go online and buy a 2 0z or whatever bottle of Poo-pourri for each of you bathrooms, so no bad smells bother anyone ever again. To save money go to Amazon and buy a large bottle for refills.

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Vimarhonor on Jan 01, 2018

Agree completely, They are found at my local Walmart for less than two dollars -good for multiple uses. Be sure to follow the use instructions, soaking the pumice stone in water for a few minutes. While the stone is soaking, grab your toilet brush and splash water up around the ring. Note: It’s very important to keep both the stone and the surface wet while cleaning to avoid scratching your porcelain.

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Dor22153986 on Jan 01, 2018

I buy my toilet bowl brushes in the $ store and discard them about once a month.

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Thomas Ophardt on Feb 18, 2018

Once a week I drop one dishwater pod in the toilet tank.

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Char Aaron on Feb 18, 2018

Ihave found the pumice stones scratch another way for stains to hide..I use a solution of dawn dishliquid and peroxide.just a few drops in a bottle of peroxide does so many jobs!also dollar general has a tablet denture cleaner that works well home depot and other home stores sell a different type of stone often used for kitchen grills good luck every one take care of you too!

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Daw20832806 on Feb 18, 2018

Try denture tabs innexpensive ones ...drop two in bowl works great ...

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