How to Clean Copper Stains in Toilet Bowls

If you notice that blue-green stains have accumulated on the inside of your toilet bowl, most likely they are copper stains. Certain commercial bathroom cleaners are formulated to remove copper stains from the inside of a toilet bowl. Alternatively, you can create a homemade copper stain cleaner to remove copper stains above and below the water line in your toilet bowl using two items you may already have in your home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White distilled vinegar
• Table salt
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Bathroom cleaning gloves
• Sponge

Copper Stains Above the Water Line

1. Pour one cup white distilled vinegar and one cup table salt into a bowl. Use a spoon or similar item to mix the two ingredients.

2. Put on the bathroom cleaning gloves.

3. Dip the sponge into the cleaning solution you made in Step 1.

4. Wipe away the copper stains using the damp sponge. Dip the sponge back into the cleaning solution as needed while wiping away the stains.

5. Flush the toilet and examine the area. If you still see stains, repeat the process starting at Step 3.

Copper Stains Under the Water Line

6. Pour two or three cups of white distilled vinegar and an equal amount of table salt into the bowl.

7. Allow the solution to soak in the toilet for about half an hour.

8. Put on the bathroom cleaning gloves.

9. Wipe away the copper stains using a sponge.

10. Flush the toilet and examine the bowl. If you still see copper stains beneath the water line, repeat the entire process.

References

• Clean Waters: Managing Your Household Chemicals
• Vinegar Tips: Cleaning with Vinegar