It is not at all fascinating to see scratches on your toilet bowl, and occasionally it might even be embarrassing to show them to visitors. Besides, they are filthy, and you should get rid of them. Here’s how to get scratches out of your toilet bowl:
A pumice stone can be used to polish scratches off of your toilet bowl. Alternatively, you may try some elbow grease and a paste composed of baking soda, toothpaste, or even Brasso. Another method to eliminate scratches from a toilet bowl is to paint over them to make them disappear.
In this article, I’ll go into more depth about all the ways you may get scratches out of your toilet bowl and what causes them in the first place.
Let’s get started!
What Causes Scratches in a Toilet Bowl?
Scratches in your toilet bowl can be caused by hard water build-up, making it difficult for abrasives to scrub the bowl clean. Additionally, if toilet paper is not used properly or frequently enough, it can leave behind residue that attracts dirt and scratches.
If you use hard brushing objects to scrub the bowl, you can also create scratches.
Also, using harsh and scratchy cleaners, and a loose ring at the base of the toilet bowl can also cause scratches.
Minor scratches accumulate over time, leading to future discoloration and scratching if they are not immediately repaired.
Steps to Take Before Removing the Scratches
#1 Clean the Toilet Bowl
The first step is to clean the toilet bowl thoroughly. To clean the toilet bowl, you can use any toilet bowl cleaner or a solution of bleach and water.
To remove filth, scrape with a decent toilet brush that allows you to reach under the edge of the bowl.
Before swirling the toilet brush around in the toilet bowl, let the solution settle for a while. The entire procedure shall take you 15 to 20 minutes.
#2 Empty the Toilet
You must then clean out your toilet. To prevent water from filling up in your toilet, turn off the water supply. To remove all water from the tank, flush the toilet. Lastly, plunge your toilet to force the water down the drain.
#3 Dry the Scratched Area
Utilize a towel or dry rag to wipe the scratched area dry. The methods you’ll use to get rid of the scratches will work best in dry conditions.
Now that you’ve finished the basic procedures, you can move on to eliminating the stains by selecting one of the three methods I’ve listed below.
3 Methods for Removing Toilet Scratches
Method 1: Using Pumice Stone
Pumice stone works as a filer for minor scratches on the toilet bowl.
Following the basic procedures of cleaning the toilet, emptying it, and turning off the water supply, follow these instructions to use a pumice stone to remove the scratches from your toilet bowl.
- First and foremost, thoroughly wet the pumice stone because using one that is dry could result in more scratches on your toilet bowl.
- Apply a little pressure to the point of the pumice stone as you rub the scratches.
- Your toilet bowl won’t have any scratches anymore. Simply clean your toilet with a sponge. And you’re all set.
Method 2: Using Vinegar and Baking Soda
A mixture of baking soda and vinegar can work perfectly to disguise shallow scratches.
Again, no matter which method you choose, make sure you follow the basic rules.
You can then carry out the actions detailed below.
- Apply vinegar evenly throughout the entire scratch area.
- On top of the vinegar, mix baking soda. Make sure there are no remaining scratch marks.
- Allow the vinegar and baking soda to fizz up for 30 minutes.
- The scratches can be polished off with drywall sandpaper. Don’t exert too much pressure, though.
- Turn on the water supply and flush your toilet.
- Carefully wipe down the toilet bowl using a towel and the scratches will be all gone!
Method 3: Using Paint
After cleaning and emptying your toilet, you can paint the toilet bowl to hide scratches and give your toilet a fresh coat of paint.
Here’s how to go about it:
- Sand your toilet properly: remove the primer of the porcelain toilet.
- Apply an acrylic latex primer, then wait for it to dry.
- Finally, you can paint your toilet bowl with epoxy paint to remove scratches and give your toilet a fresh look.
How to Prevent Toilet Bowl Scratches?
To avoid toilet bowl scratches, avoid using bleach and acidic substances, maintain cleanliness, use a soft toilet brush, and fix minor scratches as soon as you spot them before they become more severe.
Even though bleach and acidic cleaners are efficient at getting rid of even the most troublesome toilet stains, they can also make your toilet bowl look even worse by leaving behind new stains.
Instead, you can prepare your own cleaning solution with vinegar and baking soda.
Conclusion
Using these methods, you may simply repair the scratches on your toilet bowl without having to hire a plumber. If the scratches don’t go, you can try the technique twice or three times; however, if you still get no results, you might think about contacting a plumber.
Amos Christen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Drexel University — Philadelphia, PA. Since 2003, Amos has worked with top interior design professionals in this area, including architects and interior/graphic/lighting designers. As a skilled interior designer, Amos Christen is highly versed in fine arts and crafts and uses that to supplement his main area of expertise. He often publishes articles related to home décor on several websites, including Sprucetoilets.com, Sprucebathroom.com, and Mybesuitedhome.com. He also contributes to leading interior design magazines.